Toy Castle

BBQ replaces Benjarong, Apple opens early, new mall stores — plus our Pieology winners

November 17, 2016 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

BBQ replaces Benjarong

Moving into the former Benjarong space at Rockville’s Wintergreen Plaza: Mission BBQ, the Maryland-based chain specializing in brisket, pulled pork and patriotism. The five-year-old company has ties to the military and is known for its generous donations to the USO, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation among others. Oh, and we hear the food’s good too (click here to check out the menu). Mission BBQ plans a spring opening at Wintergreen, part of a new restaurant lineup that includes The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs. Also on the way: Wingstop, opening next week.

Teavana and Apple open for the holidays

Teavana opened its new store at Westfield Montgomery Mall this week, and Apple wasn’t far behind: The company moved up its grand opening from Black Friday to Saturday, Nov. 19th. We’ll have photos in an upcoming issue.

Congrats to the winners of our Pieology gift cards

This week four Store Reporter readers won gift cards to Pieology, the new make-your-own pizza restaurant next to Nordstrom Rack in Gaithersburg. The winners of our raffle — Scott Goff, Mark Hamrick, Marilyn Grafman and Amy Wollins — will each get $50 to treat family, friends or coworkers to fresh customized salads and personalized pies. You’ll be seeing more of Pieology in 2017 as the company expands in Montgomery County. In the meantime, check out the Gaithersburg location at 15780 Shady Grove Road — or click here for a quick video tour.

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Gift shop exits Rockville, moves to the mall

The As Kindred Spirits gift shop made a quick switcheroo this week, closing its doors at Congressional Plaza and opening three days later at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Owner Wendy Rukmini Walker, who had run pop-up stores at the mall but was looking for a long-term lease, snagged a space right next to Nordstrom after GameStop relocated across from Old Navy. The move happened so quickly that there wasn’t time for renovations, but Walker says the store will close briefly for a facelift after the holidays. Walker also shuttered her store at Reagan National Airport last month — so for now, the mall is the only place to find As Kindred Spirits. To see what’s in stock, click here.

Italian fashions for mothers and daughters

Patrizia Luca Milano, a women’s clothing store carrying Italian-inspired fashions, is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall next to Apple. This is the first Maryland venture for owner Mike Nassaj, who previously ran similar boutiques in D.C. “Our clothes are chic for work but also can transition into evening,” Nassaj says. “We specialize in mother-daughter looks, where the mom will buy it for herself but the daughter will want to wear it as well.” Aside from the fur and outerwear, most items are priced below $100.

Sports stores at Wintergreen Plaza, Moby Dick in Potomac Village, Aéropostale update

September 15, 2016 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Sports stores score at Wintergreen Plaza

Wintergreen Plaza is reinventing itself as a one-stop shopping center for sporting goods. TennisTopia is the latest addition to a lineup that already includes Total Hockey, Aardvark Swim & Sport, Capital Martial Arts, Gold’s Gym and Rockville Soccer. Darrell Haines, co-owner of TennisTopia, says he and wife Amy had been looking for a larger home on Rockville Pike after a decade at Congressional Village Shopping Center. “With the closing of Sports Authority and City Sports before that, we thought this was the right time to expand our business,” he says. “We liked the fact that Wintergreen Plaza is really becoming a mecca for sports.” It’s also becoming a mecca for post-sports meal breaks: The Habit Burger Grill and Jersey Mike’s Subs opened at Wintergreen this summer, and Wingstop is on the way.

Goodbye Aéropostale?

Just as teen retailer PacSun emerged from bankruptcy court last week, Aéropostale announced “store closing” sales at all of its 800 locations across the country. But we’re not predicting Aéropostale’s exit from Westfield Montgomery Mall just yet: Staffers say they’re still expecting large shipments of winter merchandise — enough to last at least through the holidays — and no specific closing date has been set. Aéropostale, which filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last May, has proposed a reorganization plan that would save more than 200 of its best-performing stores. No word yet on which will be the survivors. Meanwhile, click here for a look at the bargains to be found right now.

Is Moby Dick still opening in Potomac Village?

Remember last April when we told you that Moby Dick House of Kabob was heading to Potomac Village? Nearly five months later, the Falls Road storefront that once housed Toys Unique is still sitting empty as ever. The project has been held up by permitting issues, we’re told, and the restaurant’s owners don’t want to open in the middle of winter. Bottom line: If they don’t start construction in the next few weeks, we probably won’t be ordering kabobs in the Village until next March. In the meantime, you can check out the Moby Dick menu here.

Cabin John is on the market

Cabin John Shopping Center & Mall, which has been owned by Carl M. Freeman Cos. since it was built in 1968, is up for sale. Freeman, a family-owned business with a dozen other commercial properties in its portfolio, confirmed this week’s report in the Washington Business Journal but declined to comment further. So did Eastdil Secured, the investment banking firm that’s been hired to market the property. In the meantime, it’s business as usual at Cabin John. For dates and times of this month’s concert series, see the ad below.

The Kids & Teens Issue: Our readers’ favorites for dining, desserts & shopping

March 10, 2016 By Store Reporter 2 Comments

Readers share their favorites — plus a fabulous toy giveaway

For this special Kids and Teens Issue, we asked readers to tell us their families’ favorite places for dining and shopping in the greater Rockville/Potomac area. We heard from so many of you about the restaurants, stores and neighborhood gathering spots that keep your families coming back week after week, year after year. Scroll down to read about the winners — and when you get to the end, be sure to enter the giveaway for our fabulous basket of toys.

Dining out with kids & teens

When our readers told us about their favorite family restaurants, they didn’t just focus on the food. Equally important were a welcoming atmosphere, affordable prices, relatively healthy menu options, and a good chance of running into friends. Here’s what else we found interesting: All the restaurants that got the most votes are not individually owned places, but small regional chains that were founded in the Maryland/D.C. area.

CAVA MEZZE GRILL: Since its 2014 debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall, the Greek-inspired menu at Cava Mezze Grill (photo above) has become a hands-down favorite for many Store Reporter readers. “It’s so healthy and fresh, with such great flavor, and there is nothing else like it,” says reader Monika Woods. “My kids pick it even for special occasions when they could go somewhere fancier.” Cava Mezze Grill, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other area locations. For more info, click here.

LEBANESE TAVERNA: Here’s a Middle Eastern menu that appeals to even the pickiest eaters, from your basic pita and hummus to falafel, grape leaves and shawarma. Some readers like the cozy location at Congressional Plaza, but many prefer the spacious one at Rockville Town Square for its outdoor seating and proximity to the ice rink and concert stage. Lebanese Taverna, two locations in Rockville and others throughout the D.C. area. For more info, click here.

SILVER DINER: The Rockville Pike location, where a typical evening starts with families and ends with milkshake-drinking teens, is the one that feels like home to many Store Reporter readers. Customers appreciate the unusually extensive kids’ menu with reasonably healthy options. “My two boys used to love getting those cardboard cars and a kids’ meal when they were little,” says reader Andrea Lewis. “Now we’ve moved on to bigger meals, and also meeting friends there on Saturday nights.” Silver Diner, 12276 Rockville Pike and other area locations. For more info, click here.

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA: The Cabin John location is a major gathering place for local families, especially the sidewalk seating where people linger and chat with friends passing by. “Kids love the food, and we inevitably run into someone we know,” says reader Karen Moore. Others like the customizable menu, the snazzy soda machines and the “make your own” options for kids’ tacos and burritos. California Tortilla, Cabin John Shopping Center and other area locations. For more info, click here.

POTOMAC PIZZA: The Falls Road location, open since 1978, has a loyal following among Store Reporter readers who grew up in and around Potomac Village. The place is always packed with kids — often still in their soccer gear — and readers say they enjoy the family atmosphere and the chance to mingle with their neighbors. Potomac Pizza, 9812 Falls Road and other area locations. For more info, click here.

ZIKI JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE: Located just outside Rio Washingtonian Center in Gaithersburg, Ziki is a destination restaurant for local families celebrating birthdays and special occasions. The Benihana-style hibachi show is the big draw here, with long waits to watch the chefs turn sliced onions into choo-choo trains. “The food is good, you get to enjoy the show during dinner, and it’s louder than your typical restaurant — which is another bonus with my three boys,” says reader Peter Mallios. Ziki, 10009 Fields Road in Gaithersburg. For more info, click here.

Sweet treats with kids & teens

After a sports game, dinner or an outdoor adventure, many families like to gather over something sweet and cold. For Store Reporter readers, there are five places that really take the cake… not to mention the candy, the gelato and the ice cream.

CARMEN’S ITALIAN ICE & CAFE: This local favorite is packed every weekend after soccer, baseball, family outings and other occasions that call for a sweet ending. Crowds come for the homemade Italian ice, frozen custard and shakes that can be mashed together into all sorts of tasty combinations. “Carmen’s is the bomb diggety,” says reader Helene Dolan. “So many flavor combos, and everything is delicious.” Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe, 1115 Nelson Street in Rockville. For more info, click here.

SPRINKLES: There’s always a crowd at Sprinkles, a Potomac Village institution serving ice cream, birthday cakes, milkshakes and other freshly made sweets. In the evenings, it’s often one of the last businesses to close in the Village. “My kids have been going there for over 16 years,” says reader Karen Reyes Kuchins. “They will drive across town to bring home a Sprinkles homemade coffee Oreo ice cream pie.” Sprinkles, 10148 River Road in Potomac Village. For more info, click here.

LOLLI AND POPS: If you haven’t visited Lolli and Pops, which opened last fall at Westfield Montgomery Mall, you’re in for a real treat. Even adults get that “kid-in-a-candy-store” feeling from the dazzling selection of gourmet items, retro goodies, international sweets and oddball drinks (peanut-butter-and-jelly soda, anyone?) And the gummy bear selection is not to be missed. Lolli and Pops, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other D.C.-area locations. For more info, click here.

COLD STONE CREAMERY: This recent entry has won the hearts of shoppers at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where its prime spot in the Dining Terrace makes it the perfect place for after-dinner treats and quick shopping breaks. The custom mix-ins, from candy bars to graham cracker pie crust, are a big part of the appeal. “My son tells me their ice cream is much creamier than other places,” says reader Suzanne Borden. Cold Stone Creamery, Westfield Montgomery Mall and other area locations. For more info, click here.

BASKIN-ROBBINS: Sure it’s a chain, but the Baskin-Robbins at Cabin John Shopping Center is undoubtedly a neighborhood institution. If your kids go to school anywhere in the Potomac area, it’s unlikely they’ll leave Baskin-Robbins without spotting a friend or two. And much like the neighboring California Tortilla, the outside seating is a prime spot for socializing with other families. Baskin-Robbins, Cabin John Shopping Center and other area locations. For more info, click here.

Shopping with kids & teens

Whether they’re buying clothes for fast-growing teens or trying to find just the right birthday present, our readers clearly gravitate toward small, locally owned businesses with staffers who really know their products.

TOY CASTLE: A staple at Cabin John Mall since 1979, Toy Castle always has the latest and greatest — plus enough old favorites to put a smile on parents’ faces. Readers like the store for its vast selection, its laid-back staff, and the simple joy of walking out with a wrapped gift that’s ready to go. “Great customer service, cool toys, and stuff you just don’t find online or at a big-box store,” says reader Jeanne Adams. Toy Castle, Cabin John Mall, 11325 Seven Locks Road. For more info, click here.

BARSTONS CHILD’S PLAY: This toy store at bustling Congressional Plaza is a gathering place for the stroller set, offering a comfortable atmosphere for socializing after a trip to neighboring Bye Bye Baby. Parents of older kids say they also appreciate the staff’s infinite patience and guidance. “They don’t make you feel rushed,” says reader Sharon Morris. “You can tell that they really like their jobs and playing with toys. And they’re always willing to show you how things work.” Barstons Child’s Play, Congressional Plaza, 1661 Rockville Pike. For more info, click here.

ON CLOUD 9: This small boutique at the border of Potomac and Rockville is the go-to place for little fashionistas, keeping its customers in style from babyhood through the teen years — and sometimes dressing their moms too. “They have unique things that you wouldn’t find anywhere else — clothing, accessories and special things to take to sleepaway camp,” says reader Julie Mintz. “It’s also a great place to buy small gifts for special occasions, and they come in a box with a pretty blue ribbon.” On Cloud 9, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. For more info, click here.

MY BEST FRIEND’S CLOSET: This Rockville shop is a favorite for on-trend girls and their budget-conscious moms. Prices tend to be reasonable — and some of the merchandise is gently used, having been recently recycled from other local kids and teens. “For my daughter, it’s easier and more attractive to shop than a large department store,” says reader Meredith Yentis. Reader Monika Woods says the store “never fails to come up with something great for my girls — every bar/bat mitzvah, homecoming and special occasion.” My Best Friend’s Closet, 9735 Traville Gateway Drive in Rockville. For more info, click here.

SHOE TRAIN: People travel from all over the D.C. area to visit Shoe Train, an institution at Cabin John Mall with a reputation for expertise in orthopedic and hard-to-fit issues. Readers say they don’t mind the long waits, as they know the service will be personalized when it’s their child’s turn for a fitting. And the store keeps records on all its customers, so it’s easy to track your kids’ growth and favorite styles. Shoe Train at Cabin John Mall, 11325 Seven Locks Road. For more info, click here.

Enter to win this basket of toys

This week we’re giving away a fabulous basket of toys for kids from preschool through elementary school. Here are some of the goodies inside:

YOGA SPINNER, a fun new game that teaches yoga poses to kids 5 and up, provided by the Alexandria-based toy company ThinkFun.

SPOT IT games perfect for ages 3 and up, plus a DOODLE QUEST drawing game for ages 6 and up, both provided by Blue Orange Games.

CRAZY AARON’S GLOW-IN-THE-DARK THINKING PUTTY for ages 3 and up, provided by Toy Castle at Cabin John Mall.

MY GYM GIFT CERTIFICATE for classes and membership, good for either the Bethesda or Cabin John locations (and transferable to a friend).

There are three ways to enter this giveaway: 1) Click here to put your name in our hat online; 2) Click here to enter via our Facebook page, or 3) Stop by My Gym at Cabin John Mall any weekday in March to fill out an entry form. We’ll compile all your entries and draw the winning name in April.

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Irish update, Teavana competitor, Mosaic Café, Subway and Sports Authority

March 3, 2016 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

New Irish restaurants will likely miss St. Patrick’s Day

If you were hoping to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at one of our new local Irish restaurants, you may be out of luck. Lahinch, which was scheduled to open this month in the former Benny’s space at Cabin John Shopping Center, has run into the usual construction delays. “Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be open for St. Patrick’s Day,” says owner Barry Nolan, who also operates the Irish Inn at Glen Echo. “We’ll know more in a week.” (For more on Nolan and his plans for Lahinch, click here for our Oct. 29 issue.) Also missing out on St. Patrick’s Day crowds is Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, a new venture from local entrepreneurs that originally was supposed to open last fall at Rockville Town Square. No word yet on the timetable for that one.

Restaurant returning to French roots

Mosaic Cuisine & Café, the Rockville Pike restaurant that closed for renovations after the holidays, is scheduled to reopen by Easter with a new name, modernized decor, a bar showcasing French wines and a renewed focus on classic French cuisine. “What’s old is new again,” says owner Thierry Jugnet, who opened Mosaic in 2003 and also operates the Wicked Waffle chain. The newly named Mosaic Bistro will showcase dishes like beef bourguignon, rack of veal, chicken paprika and traditional French soups. “It’s difficult nowadays to find a truly French restaurant,” Jugnet says. “And I don’t just mean in Rockville — I defy you to find a great beef bourguignon in Washington, D.C. Nobody does these things anymore. I am French. And I am betting on going back to my roots.” For a look at Mosaic’s menu (which is still being tweaked before the reopening), click here.

David’s Tea heading to the mall?

David’s Tea, a Montreal-based company with a large fan following, appears poised to make its Maryland debut at Westfield Montgomery Mall. Details haven’t been announced yet and the mall couldn’t confirm, but David’s has posted job listings for employees at that location. David’s, which made its initial public offering last year, has announced long-term plans for 550 stores in the U.S. and Canada. At the mall, it would compete directly with the Starbucks-owned Teavana store and the independent shop Rumi Tea & Spice, both of which similarly sell fresh tea and tea-making equipment. We’ll let you know when David’s is a done deal. Meanwhile, click here for a preview of what the company has to offer.

Size matters

Things haven’t been going so well for Subway lately. First there was the whole Jared mess. Then came this week’s news that the fast-food chain has settled a class action lawsuit charging that its “footlong” sandwiches didn’t always measure up. As part of the settlement, Subway has promised that its franchisees will now use a tool to accurately measure their bread loaves. If you bought a Subway sandwich over the years and were hoping to benefit from this settlement, we’re sorry to report that your only reward will be a properly sized footlong with your next order. No money is being awarded to the class, and the Associated Press reports that the 10 plaintiffs received only $500 each. Their lawyers, on the other hand, got more than half a mil.

Win March movie tickets for the ArcLight

This month we have one more set of ArcLight Cinema tickets to give away — and you have one more chance to vote for your favorite kids’ businesses in the Rockville/Potomac area. To enter, just click here to send us a note about your favorite places for dining, shopping, birthday parties and just hanging with your kids. Or enter via our Facebook page by clicking here. Everyone who sends us suggestions will be entered into our latest ArcLight drawing.

Chapter 11 for Sports Authority

Sports Authority filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, a move that had been expected after the retailer fell behind on payments toward its debts of more than $1 billion. Sports Authority is expected to stay in business through this process, but the company says it will lay off some 3,400 people and close 140 of its 464 stores across the country. An updated closing list shows that the Rockville store on Rockville Pike and the Gaithersburg store at Rio/Washingtonian Center are expected to remain open. But several other Maryland stores, including a second Gaithersburg location near Lakeforest Mall, will be shutting down. If you’re holding a Sports Authority gift card or store credit, now would be a good time to use it: There’s no telling how long those credits will be honored.

Stanford Grill opens, Revolution Cycles moves, Cava gets more cash — plus giveaways from On Cloud 9 and Potomac Grocer

October 1, 2015 By Store Reporter Leave a Comment

Stanford Grill finally makes its debut

Stanford Grill, the restaurant that has seemingly been under construction forever at Tower Oaks Boulevard and Wootton Parkway, finally opened its doors this week and is ready to give neighboring Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge a run for its money. The restaurant offers indoor/outdoor seating for more than 300 people, with an American and sushi-centric menu from award-winning chef Sean Kinoshita plus breads and desserts from a veteran of Bethesda’s Praline Bakery & Bistro. This is the second restaurant for Stanford Grill, whose parent company also operates the Copper Canyon Grill chain. Its high-profile location, below the headquarters of Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Companies, has been drawing attention ever since the sign went up all those months ago. “We do expect to attract a lot of business people on the weekdays,” says company spokesman Zania Patterson. “But on the weekends, we hope to draw a totally different crowd.”

New home for Revolution Cycles

Revolution Cycles has closed its Rockville Pike store after more than a decade, reopening last week at a new location in the up-and-coming Twinbrook area. The new store occupies 9,000 square feet at 5750 Fisher Lane, on the gr
ound floor of the new Terano apartment building near the Twinbrook Metro station. (Click here for our Sept. 10 issue to find out what’s opening at the nearby Galvan at Twinbrook.) “We’re already getting a lot more foot traffic from the government buildings across the street,” says Alex Bartholomew, sales manager for the Rockville biking store. Rockville is one of four D.C.-area locations for Revolution Cycles, which got its start in Georgetown more than 15 years ago. “This market has a big road bike commuter scene with a lot of people who are trying to stay fit,” Bartholomew says. “Some of our customers do 25-mile one-way commutes on their bikes every day, and some do .7-mile commutes just for a chance to get outside.”

Win a Butter jacket from On Cloud 9

If there’s a young fashionista in your life, you won’t want to miss this week’s giveaway: a super-soft Butter jacket like the ones shown here (your choice of size and style) from On Cloud 9 at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. The store is ready for fall with cute designs like these, as well as the latest looks from brands like Vintage Havana, So Nikki, Malibu Sugar, Wildfox, Sugarlips and T2 Love. (Click here to see more from On Cloud 9 on Facebook.) Update: Jill Mendelson Rodriguez won this giveaway; keep reading Store Reporter to see what we’re giving away next.

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Cava gets another $45 million — and tries something new

In case you missed the media hoopla about Cava last week, the home-grown restaurant chain announced that it’s secured a second round of venture capital funding — $45 million this time — to continue its development and national expansion. Cava has a loyal following in the Rockville/Potomac area, where it it began nine years ago with a single restaurant on Traville Gateway Drive. Much of the company’s growth is now coming from its quick-serve division, Cava Mezze Grill, which will open its first West Coast locations this fall. But Cava also has experimented with other concepts, including Sugo at Park Potomac and the recently opened Brusco, a tiny luncheonette that sits next to a full-service Cava restaurant in Baltimore. Brusco focuses on street food like souvlaki, catfish sandwiches and buttermilk fried chicken — all priced at $10 or less. “It’s for people walking around at lunchtime who don’t necessarily have the time to sit and eat,” says Cava co-owner Ted Xenohristos. So will Brusco ever make it to Montgomery County? Xenohristos isn’t sure yet. “We’ve never really done a sandwich shop before,” he says. “First we have to see if we can run this one properly, and if it can be successful over a long period of time.”

Here’s our Potomac Grocer gift card winner

Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jodie Ozatalar, who won our $100 gift card to Potomac Grocer in Potomac Village. Ozatalar will be able to treat her family to the store’s fresh fish and seafood, ready-to-serve prepared meals, and gourmet goodies from local vendors. To check out Potomac Grocer for yourself, visit the store at 10107 River Road (next to Walgreens in the Village), or visit the website at www.potomacgrocer.com.

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Filene’s Basement is back

Have you missed Filene’s Basement since the Boston-based retailer went belly-up four years ago? Well, this week Filene’s returned from the dead — not on Rockville Pike, but on the Internet. A New York holding company that bought the Filene’s name has launched its website with loads of discounted merchandise from designers like Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Jones New York, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs and many more… including the wedding gowns that Filene’s was famous for. We were surprised to see that the store also carries brands that are normally exclusive to Macy’s, including INC, Karen Scott and American Rag. The new Filene’s promises free shipping on all orders — although it’s not immediately clear who pays when you send something back. Click here to check it out.

Gringos & Mariachis, World of Beer, Life Time Athletic and a Potomac Grocer giveaway

September 24, 2015 By Store Reporter 1 Comment

Mexican favorite on the way to Park Potomac

Gringos & Mariachis, a new Mexican concept from the owners of Olazzo, will open a second location at Park Potomac next summer across from Sugo and MoCo’s Founding Farmers. Gringos, which opened on Cordell Avenue just 18 months ago, has established an enthusiastic following for its tacos, nachos, guacamole and fresh margaritas. The new restaurant will be a bit larger than the one in Bethesda, with seating for 100 inside and 50 outside. “The menus will be similar to each other, but we’ll switch things up here and there,” says co-owner Roberto Pietrobono, who runs the Bethesda restaurant with brother Riccardo and business partner Marc Miranian. Gringos is the first restaurant to publicly announce a deal for the next phase of Park Potomac. From what we hear, developers also have been talking to an ice cream shop, a pizzeria and a sushi restaurant.

Have a cold one in Rockville this winter

One of the most buzzed-about new restaurants heading to downtown Rockville this winter is World of Beer, part of the new Upton project scheduled to open early next year at Rockville Town Center. “We’re going to have 500 beers in the bottle and 50 on tap, plus a tavern fare menu, craft spirits, wine and a good selection of cider,” says owner Matt Earl, part of a franchise group that also operates World of Beer locations in Baltimore and Towson. “More and more people are drinking craft beer these days, and it’s been a dream of mine to have a business like this,” Earl says. The Upton, which occupies several adjoining buildings along Maryland Avenue, will incorporate hotel rooms, apartments and ground-floor retail and restaurants. Other tenants will include Panera, Supercuts and Old Line Bank.

Win a $100 gift card for Potomac Grocer

This week we’re giving away a $100 gift card for Potomac Grocer, 10107 River Road next to Walgreens in Potomac Village. That’s enough for some fresh fish plus a gourmet sampling of specialty dishes like crab cakes, chili-glazed salmon and chicken parmesan. And don’t forget to check out the store’s locally made treats: Oat My Goodness Granola, Dolci Gelato, Slender Seven Cookie Dough and many more. Click here to enter via our Facebook page, or click here to enter by email (subject line: Potomac Grocer). Update: Store Reporter reader Jodie Ozatalar won this giveaway. Check our Facebook page and keep reading Store Reporter to see what we’re giving away next.

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New look for Life Time Athletic

Life Time Athletic in Rockville is getting a mini-makeover this week: $150,000 worth of improvements to its main workout area, locker rooms and child care center. The decision to renovate was reassuring for members who’ve been worried that Life Time might close its Rockville fitness facility after it opens a huge new one in Gaithersburg next fall. “That is absolutely not going to happen,” promises manager Ken Corbett, who has been with the Rockville club on and off since it opened in 2008. “I am staying here, and this club is remaining open.” Corbett says the renovations are part of continuing efforts to maintain the “high-end product” that local gym-goers are looking for. After all, a number of posh fitness centers have opened in this market since Life Time first arrived — and still others, including D.C.’s Solidcore, are on the way. We’ll have more on that in an upcoming issue.

Starbucks on your phone

This week marked the nationwide rollout of mobile ordering at Starbucks. The process is pretty simple: Open the Starbucks app on your phone; order your drink from the nearest store; pay for it via the app; then head to the pickup counter and grab your pumpkin spice latte. The app also lets you know which store is closest and estimates when your coffee will be ready — most likely in 10 minutes or less. “Most of our customers don’t know about this yet,” one Rockville barista told us. “Once they figure it out, they’re going to be very happy to skip the line.”

Toy Castle

BBQ replaces Benjarong

Teavana and Apple open for the holidays

Congrats to the winners of our Pieology gift cards

Sponsored Content

Gift shop exits Rockville, moves to the mall

Italian fashions for mothers and daughters

Sports stores score at Wintergreen Plaza

Goodbye Aéropostale?

Is Moby Dick still opening in Potomac Village?

Cabin John is on the market

Readers share their favorites — plus a fabulous toy giveaway

Dining out with kids & teens

Sweet treats with kids & teens

Shopping with kids & teens

Enter to win this basket of toys

Sponsored Content

New Irish restaurants will likely miss St. Patrick’s Day

Restaurant returning to French roots

David’s Tea heading to the mall?

Size matters

Win March movie tickets for the ArcLight

Chapter 11 for Sports Authority

Stanford Grill finally makes its debut

New home for Revolution Cycles

Win a Butter jacket from On Cloud 9

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content

Have a cold one in Rockville this winter

Sponsored Content

New look for Life Time Athletic

Starbucks on your phone

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