2023 was a mixed year for Rockville’s retail and restaurant scene: lots of openings, lots of closings, and several unexpected comebacks.
BANKRUPTCIES:
- Pet store chain Loyal Companion went bankrupt, closing its stores on East Gude Drive (previously doing business as Whole Pet Central) and Rockville Pike (previously doing business as Bark!).
- Discount retailer Tuesday Morning went bankrupt, closing its Rockville store on the back side of Congressional Plaza.
- Bed Bath & Beyond and sister chain Buy Buy Baby went bankrupt, closing their two stores on Rockville Pike.
- National weight-loss center Jenny Craig shut down, closing its store on Rockville Pike.
OTHER CLOSINGS:
- Sports bar Quincy’s South went dark.
- Longtime Japanese restaurant Hinode shut down.
- Kung Fu Tea exited downtown Rockville.
- Japanese restaurant Sushi Damo closed at Rockville Town Square.
- Town Square Jewelers also closed.
- Greek restaurant Trapezeria closed in downtown Rockville.
- At Ritchie Center, Live Crawfish & Seafood and Gama Korean Chicken both changed hands, then changed names, then went dark. (Gama has since been replaced by Taste of Kabob.)
- Furniture chain Arhaus left Rockville Pike for a new space at Westfield Montgomery mall.
OPENINGS:
Local businesses have been complaining about rising crime in downtown Rockville, but new tenants continued to arrive.
- National bakery chain Paris Baguette opened at Rockville Town Square.
- Uyghur restaurant Eerkin’s, formerly located on Rockville Pike, moved to the former Amici Miei space in downtown Rockville.
- New salon Walk In Closet Beauty Bar opened next to Panera in downtown Rockville.
- Tequila Modern Mexican will open in January at the former Trapezeria space in downtown Rockville.
- Sporting goods store Golfdom opened in the former Pier 1 space on Rockville Pike.
- Damso Korean BBQ replaced Saffron Indian Cuisine on Rockville Pike.
- Fast-casual Indian restaurant Rasa replaced Slapfish on Rockville Pike.
- Bethesda’s Pines of Rome opened a new takeout restaurant on Rockville Pike.
- Gaithersburg bakery Lil’ Cakes & Creamery expanded to Rockville Pike.
- Locally owned ice creamery Mimi’s Handmade opened on Rockville Pike.
COMEBACKS:
- Rockville’s Regal Cinema was expected to go dark in February, along with 38 other Regal locations. But this time we got a happy ending: Regal’s parent company ended up renegotiating the theater’s lease.
- Party City filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January but came out of it in September, so its store on Rockville Pike remains open.
- David’s Bridal filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April and changed hands in July, so its store on Rockville Pike also remains open.
- Buy Buy Baby went dark after filing bankruptcy last summer, then got new owners and reopened its Rockville store in November.
- Rockville’s Jared jewelry store shut down in August, then renovated its building and reopened a few months later as sister store Diamonds Direct.
NEXT UP FOR ROCKVILLE:
What’s ahead for the Rockville dining scene in 2024? Lots more Mexican and Asian food.
- Asian food hall Luna will open in the old Cici’s Pizza space.
- Buena Onda Taqueria will open in the old Bagel City space.
- Torchy’s Tacos will open in the old Chuy’s space.
- Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is taking the other half of the old Chuy’s space.
- Yet another Japanese restaurant has announced plans to replace Miller’s Ale House.
- Also: Newcomer No Regrets Pizza will open soon in North Bethesda. More on that in an upcoming issue.
