Two Story Chimney Ciderworks to close in Gaithersburg

 

Two Story Chimney Ciderworks at 7115 Damascus Road in Gaithersburg will permanently close before Christmas, the distillery announced on social media. "We have been so blessed to be a part of this community and so many people’s lives," the post said. "The friendships and bonds will always be cherished. It is time we trade the early morning markets and late night tasting rooms in for time with our family. Our last day will be December 21. Stop in before the end of the year and share some stories and memories."

Sixty Vines seeks permission to add retractable screens to pergola

Sixty Vines, the new restaurant at 212 Ellington Boulevard at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg, is seeking permission from the City of Gaithersburg to add retractable screens to its outdoor dining pergola structure. The retractable vinyl curtains will utilize the MagnaTrack Vinyl Screen System. Those screens will be black in color, and will not count as increasing the building footprint under City regulations. Sixty Vines' application will be reviewed by the Gaithersburg Planning Commission at its meeting tonight, December 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM. City planning staff are recommending approval of the application.

Fatal single-vehicle crash claims life of Germantown man in Damascus

A tragic single-vehicle collision in Damascus early Sunday morning has resulted in the death of a 27-year-old Germantown resident. At approximately 4:05 a.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, Montgomery County Department of Police – 5th District officers and Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Ridge Road and Kings Valley Road following reports of a crash.

Upon arrival, responders located a gray 2013 Honda Civic coupe that had suffered a catastrophic crash. The vehicle had left the roadway, struck a fire hydrant, hit an embankment, and overturned.

The driver, identified as Bilcher Ronaldino Huinil Lopez, the sole occupant of the car, was ejected from the vehicle and found in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation into the crash suggests the Honda was traveling southbound when the driver lost control of the vehicle. Authorities have indicated that evidence found at the scene suggests that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the fatal collision.

The investigation is currently being led by the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Montgomery County Police Department. Due to the complex nature of reconstructing the events, it may take several weeks or longer for the investigation to be completed.

Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information regarding the incident to come forward. Please contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit directly at 240-773-6620.

Aggravated assault in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault in Montgomery Village on the evening of November 19, 2025. According to police, the victim was in the 19200 block of Watkins Mill Road at 7:52 PM. That is just south of the Montgomery Village Center. Two suspects assaulted the adult male victim.

Police describe the suspects only as two Black males, aged 25-30. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in Montgomery Village in the morning hours of November 11, 2025. A lone assailant assaulted the adult female victim, and stole her property. Police describe the suspect only as a Black female of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Armed robbery in broad daylight in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in Germantown yesterday afternoon, November 25, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 13000 block of Middlebrook Road at 4:26 PM Tuesday. It took place in a commercial parking lot.

Lakeforest Transit Center to be relocated and redeveloped at former Gaithersburg mall property

There's a new development in the redevelopment of the Lakeforest Mall site in Gaithersburg. A ceremony was held yesterday to kick off the first phase of a newly-announced partnership to relocate and redevelop the Lakeforest Transit Center. Transit is key to transforming the former community hub into a vibrant, mixed-use development, especially with no new highways or rail service planned for the massive housing and commercial growth that will occur.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Maryland State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, and County Councilmembers, including Marilyn Balcombe, Sidney Katz, Dawn Luedtke, and Laurie-Anne Sayles, joined Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Director Chris Conklin, WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments Principal Kevin Rogers, and other community leaders to celebrate the milestone.

The redevelopment is a joint effort between Montgomery County and WRS Inc. Real Estate Investments. WRS is set to redevelop the nearly 100-acre site into a dynamic mixed-use community featuring residential housing, entertainment, shopping, and public gathering spaces.

“Lakeforest Mall was a place where people came together for decades, and this redevelopment gives us a chance to reimagine this site,” Elrich said Monday. “Transportation, housing, and economic development are connected, and this project reflects that.”

The now-closed Lakeforest Mall holds a special place in the community, having served as the County's largest mall for a time and a well-known gathering spot for 45 years since its opening in 1978. Greed on the part of the mall's final owner, and chronic failure by County leaders to address violent crime and gang activity at the mall resulted in the disgraceful demolition of the once-luxurious shopping mecca now underway at the site.

The first phase of the agreement focuses on site preparation for the new transit center. WRS will prepare nearly two acres of land, which includes filling in a drainage pond and grading the site to make it build-ready. This initial phase is expected to take about one year.

Following the completion of site preparation, MCDOT will purchase the land from WRS and commence construction on the new transit center itself.

The new transit center will continue to serve the eight existing Ride On bus routes currently using the Lakeforest Transit Center. Crucially, it is also being designed with scalability to accommodate the future MD 355 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor. "The new transit center will support the nearly 2,000 riders per day who rely on the current Lakeforest Transit Center, as well as create capacity to accommodate the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit corridor along MD 355 and any future developments," Conklin said.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center to add drive-thru Chipotle

 

Next year, you could be picking up a Chipotle burrito without even getting out of your car in Gaithersburg. The Walnut Hill Shopping Center at 16529 S. Frederick Avenue will be adding a Chipotle restaurant on the North Westland Drive side of the property. A bank building will be demolished to clear the way for the restaurant, which will have a drive-thru. The drive-thru will be only for online pickup orders, and is called a Chipotlane. There is at least one other Chipotlane in Montgomery County, at the Briggs Chaney Chipotle at 13801 Outlet Drive.

Assault at hotel in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police were called to a hotel Wednesday evening, November 19, 2025, after a 2nd-degree assault was reported there. The assault was reported at a hotel in the 200 block of Professional Drive at 7:02 PM Wednesday. An Extended Stay America hotel is located on that block.

Andy's Pizza opens in Gaithersburg

Andy's Pizza has opened at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. Andy's serves New York-style pizza in whole pies, or by the slice, and is quite an upgrade from previous tenant MOD Pizza. It is a double win to be able to order by the slice, with such high-quality pizzas. Next up for Andy's: a Montgomery Mall location in Bethesda.

Damascus bank branch to be auctioned off

A former Truist bank branch in the center of Damascus is about to be auctioned off. The building and associated structures are located at 9916 Main Street. This is a prime location for business, or for potential redevelopment as residential or mixed-use, with such redevelopment eagerly sought by the Montgomery County cartel, who have been working overtime to urbanize rural Damascus. They also want to jam as many Democrats as possible into the Republican town, before the U.S. Supreme Court declares their gerrymandered legislative and council district maps illegal. The opening bid is a ridiculously low $175,000, according to the online listing.

Strong-arm rape in Germantown

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm rape Sunday night, November 16, 2025, in Germantown. The sexual assault was reported in a commercial parking lot in the 12600 block of Wisteria Drive at 9:41 PM Sunday. That appears to be the Germantown Square shopping center.

Assault at bus stop in Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg City police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at a bus stop early Saturday morning, November 15, 2025. The assault was reported at a bus stop in the 9600 block of Lost Knife Road at 1:24 AM Saturday. An individual was also accused of a liquor law violation in the same incident. Lost Knife Road and Lost Knife Circle remain crime hotspots with frequent calls for police, as the Montgomery County Council continues to slumber at the switch.

Update on Andy's Pizza in Gaithersburg (Photos)

Signage has been installed at Andy's Pizza, opening soon at 145 Commerce Square Place at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. More art has been added to the interior walls of the pizzeria. Furniture has been set up on the outdoor patio. Andy's Pizza will be opening here, and at a second Bethesda location in Westfield Montgomery Mall.

Bobby Furniture closing in Gaithersburg

2025 has been a bad year for some furniture stores in Montgomery County. One of the biggest regional names, Marlo Furniture, closed its Rockville showroom. Now Bobby Furniture has announced it will be closing its store at 317 Muddy Branch Road in Gaithersburg. A closing sale is underway at all three of its Montgomery County locations, including the two that aren't closing, in Montgomery Village and Germantown. However, the company is not specifying the percentage you'll be saving over the regular price, so you may want to call ahead if you have a specific piece of furniture in mind, to inquire about the price and avoid making a long trip that ends in disappointment.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe, Mattress Warehouse construction begins in Gaithersburg

Wow, what a juxtaposition! Construction has begun on the former Buca di Beppo building at Kentlands Market Square in Gaithersburg. According to the property leasing map, the building is being subdivided into two spaces. One half will hold the upscale New York-based Tatte Bakery & Cafe. The other half will go to Mattress Warehouse. The signing of Tatte Bakery & Cafe was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Criminals strike twice at Maserati dealership in Germantown

Montgomery County police are investigating two incidents at Criswell Maserati at 19570-A Amaranth Drive in Germantown. At 5:00 AM on October 28, 2025, two male suspects trespassed on the dealership property, and attempted to steal two cars. They were unsuccessful and fled.

Four days later, police responded to a burglary call at the dealership in the early morning hours of November 1. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry to a building on the premises. They determined property had been taken from the dealership.

Police describe the suspects in the second incident as "two Black males or two Hispanic males" of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing either of these cases, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Lakeforest Mall signs hit auction block in Gaithersburg

The large Lakeforest Mall entrance signs could be yours, if you make the winning bid in an upcoming online auction. Capital Online Auctions is handling the event. Winners have to uninstall the signs themselves, and will have to provide proof of insurance for the "uninstallers." There appear to be six signs available in total, according to the online listing. The auction was first reported by The MoCo Show.

Assault reported at school in Germantown

Montgomery County police were called to a school in Germantown yesterday, November 6, 2025, after an assault was reported there. The assault was reported at a school in the 18800 block of Waring Station Road at 2:00 PM Thursday. Roberto Clemente Middle School is located on that block.

Assault in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault in Montgomery Village Tuesday night, November 4, 2025. The assault was reported in the 19200 block of Watkins Mill Road at 9:00 PM. It took place in a commercial parking lot there.

Assault at office building in Gaithersburg

Montgomery County police were called to an office building in Gaithersburg Sunday morning, after someone was allegedly assaulted there. The assault was reported at an office property in the 7800 block of Beechcraft Avenue at 8:04 AM. As you might deduct from the street name, that is very close to the Montgomery County Airpark.

Attempted armed robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that took place in Montgomery Village on October 21, 2025. The incident was reported in the 19300 block of Keymar Way at 4:59 PM. An armed suspect displayed his weapon to the juvenile victim, and attempted to take property from him. Police did not explain why he was unsuccessful in doing so, but describe him as a Black male of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Peeping Tom arrested after filming woman in gym shower in Germantown

An alleged Peeping Tom who disguised himself as a woman to enter women's locker rooms at gyms in Montgomery County has been arrested. Montgomery County police were called to OneLife Fitness at 20500 Seneca Meadows Parkway in Germantown on October 10, 2025, after a woman reported that a man was filming her in the shower there. The man was dressed as a woman, police learned, and detectives ultimately identified him as Tshikundi Taty, 44, of Takoma Park.

Officers then followed Taty to a Planet Fitness gym in White Oak. When he allegedly donned his feminine disguise and ducked into the women's locker room, they took him into custody. Taty has been charged with multiple counts of Peeping Tom and related offenses.

Detectives are concerned that there may be additional victims from these and other gyms and facilities in the area. They are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Tshikundi Taty to call the Montgomery County Department of Police - 5th District Patrol at (240) 773-6200 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477). 

Aggravated assault in Damascus

Wow, crime is heating up in Damascus. Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault there early yesterday afternoon, October 29, 2025. The assault was reported in the 10400 block of Sweepstakes Road, a quiet residential area, at 12:18 PM Wednesday. A firearm was involved in the assault.

Barn burglary in Damascus

If the tariffs and moribund Montgomery County economy haven't gotten your farm, the ongoing Montgomery County crime wave will. A barn in Damascus was burglarized on October 12, 2025, according to Montgomery County police. Officers responding to the scene that evening found evidence of forced entry at the barn. They determined property had been taken. Police say they have no descriptions of the suspect(s) at this time. The barn in question is located in the 11200 block of Mountain View Road.

Armed robbery in Montgomery Village

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery of a food delivery driver in Montgomery Village on October 18, 2025. The driver was attempting to make a delivery in the 18200 block of Lost Knife Circle at 7:15 PM when he was confronted by an unspecified number of suspects who indicated they were armed. They successfully obtained money from the victim, and fled the scene.

Police state that they have no descriptions of the suspects at this time. They did not indicate why the victim was unable to provide any identifying details. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call (301) 279-8000.

Man jumped by 5 robbers in Germantown

A man was jumped by five would-be robbers in a busy part of Germantown in broad daylight on October 13, 2025. Montgomery County police say the victim was in the 12900 block of Middlebrook Road at 3:56 PM, when he was surrounded by five suspects. The five attempted to assault the victim and steal property from him, but were unsuccessful.

Police did not detail how the victim managed to escape from the assault. They describe the suspects only as five Black males of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Walnut Hill Shopping Center adding Ionna EV chargers (Photos)

 

The Walnut Hill Shopping Center is adding electric vehicle charging stations to its parking lot at 733 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. And not just any EV chargers. These are Ionna charging stations, part of a nationwide network of 30,000 being created as we speak. The North Carolina firm is a partnership of seven international auto manufacturing companies, including BMW and Toyota. Ionna chargers offer fast-charging, essential to creating a viable network to support mass adoption of EVs. 

Of course, an even more-effective way of doing that would be to allow $8000 Chinese EVs to be sold in America, but did Joe Biden do that? Nope. That's what you would do if time was running out and a global climate catastrophe was upon us, right? $8000 Chinese EVs that are superior to the ridiculously expensive EVs made in America and elsewhere, not releasing gas from the strategic petroleum reserves, building high-speed rail, and mandating work-from-home for federal employees. Wait, Biden did the exact opposite of those things. "How dare you!" - Greta Thunberg. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Rowan opens at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg

Rowan has opened at 126 Crown Park Avenue at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg. The piercing studio is located between Ideal Image and Bath & Body Works. All piercing procedures at Rowan are hypoallergenic and performed by licensed nurses. Rowan has an existing Montgomery County location at the Shoppes of Bethesda.

Tea Spa Wellness relocates in Gaithersburg

Tea Spa Wellness has successfully relocated in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg. It has completed its move from 209 Market Street W. to 621 Center Point Way at Kentlands Market Square. Tea Spa Wellness offers massages, facials, and healing rituals inspired by "tea culture and natural balance." 

"At Tea Spa, our mission is to create a haven of peace where everyone can find moments of deep serenity," Tea Spa CEO Cathy Shao says. "My journey through nursing school revealed the incredible power of professional massage therapy, inspiring me to share this healing art with a broader audience, which led to the birth of Tea Spa. In the last decade, my path as an energy healer has strengthened my belief in the link between inner peace and mindful living. As the caretaker of Tea Spa, I am dedicated to assembling a team of service providers who embody generosity, tranquility, and vibrant positivity. With each healing touch, we strive to make the world a better place, one person at a time."

Guapo's to open new Gaithersburg restaurant

Guapo's is opening a new restaurant in Gaithersburg. It will be a Guapo's Rotisserie Chicken & Tex Mex Grill concept, of which the local company operates three in Northern Virginia. This would be the first on our side of the Potomac. Guapo's has full-service Mexican restaurants in Bethesda, and at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg.

Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken is the specialty at the Guapo's Rotisserie Chicken locations. The new restaurant will be located at 12211 Darnestown Road, at the Quince Orchard Marketplace shopping center. That was formerly home to California Tortilla.

Song Dog Farm Distillery opens in Boyds (Photos)

Song Dog Farm Distillery has opened at 18100 Bucklodge Road in Boyds, Maryland. The distillery is located on a farm property in the Montgomery County Agricultural Reserve, and includes a tasting room, a "front porch" outdoor patio, and expansive lawns. Song Dog Spirits was founded in 2015 by the husband and wife team of Megan Draheim and David Harris, who purchased the farm in 2021, and constructed the facilities over the past four years. 

There is a tasting room menu, and food is also available from food trucks on-site, or you can bring your own. Kids and "well-behaved" dogs are also welcomed on the premises. Song Dog produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, gin, and seasonal liqueurs, and all of their products reflect the agricultural produce and flavors of Maryland. Operating hours are 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Wednesday through Friday, 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. For a preview of their product line, and information on planning a private event at the farm, visit their website.