Samsung Biologics acquires GSK manufacturing facility in Montgomery County

 

Some rare good news out of Annapolis about the rare bright spot in the moribund Montgomery County economy: biotech. Samsung Biologics has just acquired the GlaxoSmithKline manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced yesterday. GSK had announced earlier this year that it would be moving its vaccine research and development operations from that Rockville facility to Massachusetts. Samsung's acquisition will keep more than 500 existing jobs at the site, and add an unspecified number of additional jobs as Samsung adds potential production lines for other local biotech firms in the future.

Moore was hands-on in recruiting the South Korean firm. He personally met with Samsung Biologics executives earlier this year during an international trade and investment mission to Japan and South Korea to promote economic growth and workforce development. 

“We are thrilled that Samsung Biologics has selected Maryland for their first U.S. manufacturing facility, a testament to our state’s leadership in life sciences, our highly-skilled workforce and the commitment of our private and public sector to advance patient health around the globe,” Moore said in a statement Monday. “During our Asia trade mission, we were excited to share with Samsung Biologics executives the many reasons why Maryland is an ideal foothold from which the company can execute its long-term strategy to expand in the U.S. market.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who has targeted life sciences in his efforts to attract high-wage jobs to the County, joined Moore in celebrating the win yesterday. “The acquisition of GSK’s Rockville manufacturing campus by Samsung Biologics represents a significant achievement for Montgomery County,” Elrich said in the statement released by Moore's office. “This $280 million investment brings the world's largest contract drug manufacturer to Montgomery County, ensuring U.S.-based manufacturing continues, safeguarding over 500 current jobs, and setting the stage for further growth as Samsung boosts production capacity. It serves as a robust endorsement of the ecosystem we have cultivated, which is founded on talent, diversity, and enduring partnerships. We proudly welcome Samsung Biologics to Montgomery County, Maryland, and anticipate their contribution in enhancing our economy, workforce, and status as a global life sciences hub.”

Auto thieves casing Massachusetts Avenue corridor in Bethesda again

Auto thieves are on the prowl again in one of their favorite haunts in Bethesda, the neighborhoods along the Massachusetts Avenue corridor. Two cars have been stolen from homes there in recent days. The first was taken from the driveway of a house in the 6000 block of Massachusetts Avenue itself in the early morning hours of December 26, 2025. A second vehicle was stolen from along the street in the 4800 block of Bayard Boulevard in the Crestview neighborhood at 1:30 AM on Sunday, December 28. 

Take advantage of this warning to ensure your vehicle is locked, and that your keys are in the house, not in the glove compartment or ignition(!!). If possible, park in a garage or in a well-lit spot. Remove all valuables from the interior of the vehicle. When in doubt, invest in The Club or a similar steering wheel anti-theft device.

Bethesda Row Giant makes early switch to paper bags

The Giant grocery store at 7142 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row is ahead of the game, stocking self-checkout stations with paper bags days ahead of the Montgomery County Council plastic bag ban, which takes effect on January 1, 2026. You will also have to pay a 10-cent tax on each paper bag, half of which is paid to the business, and the other half goes into the County Water Quality Protection Fund. The bags at Giant are the retro kind, missing the convenient handles found on paper bags at Trader Joe's and Harris Teeter. You can thank the obscenely overpaid County Council, while struggling with your obscenely overpriced groceries. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Osteria Divina "coming soon" to Chevy Chase Lake

Osteria Divina is "coming soon" to Chevy Chase Lake, according to signage posted at the development. It will be located in the ground floor of The Claude at 3820 Chaplin Place. Led by the team behind Osteria177 and Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen in Annapolis, Osteria Divina "will combine traditional regional Italian dishes with the modern style of an Osteria," development partner Bozzuto said in a press release. "The restaurant will feature fresh artisanal pasta, seafood, prime meats, and fresh daily local produce, along with a curated wine list and expertly crafted cocktails."

Former Limon's retail space in Bethesda now available for lease

The investor who recently purchased the former Limon's Gems & Jewels building at 7909 Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda has wasted no time in getting the property on the market for lease. A sign advertising the availability of the building, and the contact phone number, has been posted in the storefront window. The property was sold a couple of weeks ago for $1.1 million. Limon's closed last fall after 105 years in business.

Credit cards stolen from car in Bethesda church parking lot

How low will criminals go? Breaking into cars parked outside of sunrise services on Christmas, for one. Montgomery County police responded to a report of theft from a vehicle parked in a church parking lot in Bethesda on Christmas morning. The theft was reported in the Our Lady of Lourdes Church parking lot in the 7500 block of Pearl Street at 7:25 AM last Thursday. A property damage report indicates the vehicle was broken into, rather than left unlocked. The thief later attempted to use one of the stolen credit cards at a restaurant.

See's Candies closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

Lucky gift recipients have barely opened their See's Candies boxes, and the candymaker has already departed Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. They seem to close their seasonal holiday store earlier each year, and it doesn't get much earlier than Boxing Day. The curtain has fallen at See's Candies - literally, as you can see below - but the beloved California candy brand will almost certainly be back for the 2026 holiday season.

Maman Joon Real Persian Kabob opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Maman Joon Real Persian Kabob has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It is located right by the parking deck entrance on Level 2 of the mall, the same garage level that California Pizza Kitchen fronts onto. That spot has seen some turnover since Tara Thai departed, so keep your skewers crossed that Maman Joon can make it work.

"We take pride in creating authentic Persian food that reflects our heritage," Maman Joon says on its website. "Our ingredients are always fresh, most of our spices come from Iran, and our menu is lovingly prepared using our treasured family recipes."

Christmas Eve assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a 2nd-degree assault at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda on Christmas Eve. The assault was reported at the mall at 11:17 AM Wednesday. This was the eleventh assault to take place at the popular retail center this year. That ties the eleven reported at the property in 2024.

Rare single-family home near Bethesda Row, Metro comes on the market for sale

A property in downtown Bethesda that held out against redevelopment for decades is holding out no more. 4829 West Lane is a 2000-square-foot single-family home that was converted into a two-level office space. The property owner declined to sell the .115 acre lot to the developer of The Chase condos, forcing the condominium complex to be built around it. MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services is listing the property at an asking price of $2.8 million.

The Goldsmiths to close at Bethesda Place

The owner of The Goldsmiths in Bethesda is retiring, and the jewelry design and sales boutique is holding a retirement sale. Located at 7700-N Wisconsin Avenue in the Bethesda Place apartments, The Goldsmiths has been a "dealer in dreams" for over 50 years, and in Bethesda since 1977. The boutique has offered custom jewelry design services, as well as redesigning of estate jewelry pieces. Prices on inventory are 40-60%-off. Please note that the business will be closed from today through January 1, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, January 2.

Burglary at Westland Middle School in Bethesda

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at Westland Middle School in Bethesda late Monday morning, December 22, 2025. The burglary was reported at the school, which is located at 5511 Massachusetts Avenue, at 11:48 AM Monday. Officers arriving at the scene found evidence of forced entry at the school. The timing is quite odd, as the Christmas break for Montgomery County Public Schools did not begin until yesterday.

PopUp Bagels "coming soon" to Bethesda (Photos)

PopUp Bagels, has posted coming-soon signage across its future storefront in the ground floor of the Solaire 7607 Old Georgetown apartment tower at 7607 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda. The upstart New York bagel chain has made its social media virality central to its branding and marketing. Construction is now getting underway on the shop, a refreshing change from the many banks typically opening around town in recent times. Hot and fresh bagels with a rotating selection of schmears - and a required minimum order - are the focus at PopUp Bagels, not bagel sandwiches, nor non-bagel menu items.

Colonial Opticians fire in Bethesda under investigation by private firm

NEFCO, a top private investigation firm, has been hired to investigate the recent fire at Colonial Opticians at 4942 St. Elmo Avenue in downtown Bethesda. The fire, which Montgomery County fire officials said was likely caused by a power strip in the store's laboratory area, resulted in the permanent closure of the business. NEFCO uses high-tech methods to determine the cause of fires, and has its own labs for forensic examination of evidence. The building that houses the store is expected to be demolished in the near future to make way for a new apartment tower.

NEFCO is typically brought in to determine the cause of a fire, identify or rule out arson, and identify the responsible parties to recover losses for insurers. The company has never failed a Daubert challenge, a legal motion in U.S. courts made with the aim of excluding unreliable or irrelevant expert witness testimony, based on the Supreme Court case Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993). Judges use the Daubert standard to assess if expert testimony is based on sound scientific methodology, and relevant to the case, in an effort to ensure a jury only receives credible evidence from "expert" testimony.

Lifestyle Corner opens inside Baruch Cafe in Bethesda

Lifestyle Corner has opened at 4841 Del Ray Avenue inside Baruch Cafe in the ground floor of the Gallery Bethesda apartment tower. Its corner space carries new and pre-owned apparel and shoes, as well as Coco Street ready-to-drink coconut juice in the shell. This is super convenient for residents of the Gallery I and II, who can now buy clothes without leaving the premises. Baruch Cafe is also currently offering "endless pancakes" on Sundays for $9.99 (toppings are extra for $1 each). 

Coffee Republic opening in Bethesda

Coffee Republic is expanding to Bethesda. It will be in the ground floor of the Bethesda Place apartment building, and connected to the new Lidl grocery store. The Coffee Republic chain currently has nine locations across the Washington, D.C. region and North Carolina. "We’re on a quest to make coffee cool again," the company says on its website. "Coffee culture got snobby and bright white and we are the antithesis of that. Our shops are known for their unique feel, colorful appearance, pop art paintings, and one-of-a-kind baristas who dress to express themselves."

All of Coffee Republic's globally-sourced beans are roasted at its flagship Mooresville, North Carolina location. In addition to signature coffee drinks, their shops also serve a variety of baked goods, wraps, quiche, and breakfast burritos. Construction is expected to begin soon.

Limon's Gems & Jewels building sells for $1.1 million in Bethesda

The Limon's Gems & Jewels building at 7909 Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle neighborhood has sold for $1.1 million. Chris Vondas and Alex Alperstein of commercial real estate firm advisoRE LLC in Bethesda brokered the sale. The building remains vacant since the closure of Limon's this past fall. While the transaction last week is too recent to appear in Maryland real estate records, I'm told the prime-location property was acquired by an investor.

Tako Grill closes in Bethesda

Tako Grill has closed at 4914 Hampden Lane at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The sushi restaurant had a successful ten-year run after moving to the Shoppes in 2015. An unidentified restaurant space at the property had recently been put on the market for lease, and now it's clear which space it is. "We are deeply grateful to our community for your loyalty and support over the years," Tako Grill said in a message to customers posted in the window. "It has been an honor to serve you."

Nordstrom Sunglasses Shop relocates at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

 

The Sunglasses Shop has relocated inside of Nordstrom at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. It can now be found on Level 2 of the department store, between Handbags and Accessories. The shop carries the top sunglasses brands, including Ray Ban, Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Oakley, and Versace. Another advantage of the shop is that, unlike many eyewear chains, Nordstrom has an unlimited return time period for most items, provided they are in original condition.

Old Georgetown Grille to reopen Monday after "deep cleaning"

Old Georgetown Grille at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in downtown Bethesda will reopen for business tomorrow, Monday, December 22, 2025, after a deep cleaning is completed this evening. The remediation effort this weekend was necessitated by the recent fire inside of the neighboring Colonial Opticians. That business was forced to permanently close due to smoke and fire damage inside its space. The OG Grille will also eventually permanently close, as the building will be torn down to make way for a new apartment building.

Vehicle stolen from Westbard Square in Bethesda

Montgomery County police are investigating the theft of a vehicle parked at the Westbard Square development in Bethesda during broad daylight business hours. The vehicle was stolen sometime between 12:40 and 12:55 PM on December 10, 2025, and has yet to be recovered. A rash of vehicle break-ins at the parking garage at Westbard Square earlier this year cooled off this fall after property owner Regency Centers installed surveillance cameras, which police were given access to.

Police investigate bomb threat at Bethesda office building

Montgomery County police were called to an office building in downtown Bethesda yesterday, December 19, 2025, after a bomb threat was reported there. The threat was reported at an office building in the 7200 block of Wisconsin Avenue at 8:28 AM Friday. The police department has not yet commented publicly on this incident as of this writing.

Aggravated assault in Kenwood

Montgomery County police responded to a very out-of-character event in the elite Kenwood neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, December 17, 2025. An aggravated assault was reported in the 6400 block of Garnett Drive at 3:49 PM. The incident was reported along the street, which backs up to the Kenwood Golf and Country Club.

Assault at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda midday Wednesday, December 17, 2025, after an assault was reported there. The assault was reported at 12:26 PM Wednesday. This was the tenth assault reported at the mall this year. Eleven assaults were tallied at the popular retail, dining, and entertainment center in 2024.

Italian aerospace firm chooses Virginia for rocket motor manufacturing facility

 

Were Maryland and Montgomery County even courting global aerospace firm Avio S.p.A in its search for a site to build a $500 million solid rocket motor manufacturing facility? We may never know. But we do know that the Italian firm has selected Virginia as the winner for the high-tech factory. The 860,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility will produce solid rocket motors for defense tactical and strategic propulsion, as well as commercial space propulsion sectors. 

“I want to thank Avio USA for choosing Virginia,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “Today’s announcement marks another exciting milestone for our aerospace and defense industry. Avio USA’s decision to build a new rocket motor manufacturing facility here is both an important investment in America’s national security infrastructure and underscores Avio USA’s confidence in Virginia.”

“Avio looks forward to establishing on U.S. soil a solid rocket motor production facility to contribute in strengthening the U.S. industrial base by providing decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing,” Avio S.p.A. CEO Giulio Ranzo said. “In particular, we are thankful for the Commonwealth and local governments’ warm welcome for our project and count on their future support for effective execution.” 

Does Maryland and its counties extend a warm welcome to aerospace firms? Not in this century. The County Council tried to run the last remaining big aerospace firm - Lockheed Martin - out of the county not once, but twice, with radical legislation that made us look like idiots after the bills received national news coverage. "We don't need the Lockheed headquarters," former Councilmember Nancy Floreen declared in the summer of 2010. 

It's no surprise that the County has failed to attract a single major new corporate headquarters in over 25 years. Or that, thanks to the highest personal and corporate tax and fee burden in the Mid-Atlantic region, Montgomery County and Maryland have effectively been in a recession for much of this century. MoCo's crime rate has risen faster and higher than its business and job growth rates as a result. Once the economic engine of the region, Montgomery County is now at or near the bottom across every major economic benchmark tracked by the federal government. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Dave's Hot Chicken opening today in White Flint (Photos)

Dave's Hot Chicken will open today, December 18, 2025, at 11564 Rockville Pike, according to a sign posted at the restaurant, which was conducting training for employees last night. After a languid construction process, an inspired burst of energy over the last week got all the equipment and menus into place. Speaking of menus, I was not familiar with Dave's, and am delighted to see milkshakes and Hi-C Orange and Fruit Punch "Slushers" among the beverage choices. Operating hours are 10:30 AM to midnight, seven days a week.