Arby's building fenced off in White Flint (Photos)

Construction fencing has been erected around the vacant Arby's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike. No new tenant has been announced, and the building is still being marketed for lease. Maryland property records do not show a sale of the property as of this morning. 

A Shake Shack restaurant had been proposed for the building, but those plans were, sadly, withdrawn. That was a huge mistake by the burger chain. They would have done massive business here, especially in drive-thru sales. If I was an investor in Shake Shack, I would be screaming. At least Tom Bodett left the light on for us in the kitchen. Hopefully a smart fast food chain like Jack in the Box or In-N-Out leases this building soon.

Arby's building, said to be future Shake Shack, goes back on the market for lease

Burger lovers may be shook to learn that a major obstacle has emerged to the imminent arrival of a drive-thru Shake Shack in White Flint. Back in June, the Washington Business Journal reported that the popular New York hamburger chain was going to convert the shuttered Arby's at 11710 Rockville Pike into a Shake Shack. But as of yesterday, there is a banner across the vacant storefront advertising the building as being available for lease. 

The interior of the former Arby's retains its furniture, counters and even the menu holder behind the front counter. Since Shake Shack never publicly confirmed the Journal report, it's unclear why the plans have been derailed - or if the deal was ever set in stone to begin with. Two other Shake Shack locations remain on track in Montgomery County, at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg.

Arby's closes in North Bethesda (Photos)

Here's a shocker: Arby's has closed at 11710 Rockville Pike in the White Flint area. While restaurants were devastated by indoor dining bans over the last year, fast food restaurants with drive-thrus like this Arby's often enjoyed booming business during the same period. 

Fast food restaurants usually serve the largest percentage of customers via the drive-thru to begin with. But as of Tuesday night, this Arby's has been cleared out; even the menu boards are gone at the drive-thru and inside.

Arby's to get new exterior in Pike District

Arby's at 11710 Rockville Pike is going to get an exterior facelift. The restaurant has requested a construction permit for the work from Montgomery County. Cost of the makeover? $100,000.

Hopefully the significant investment means the restaurant will stay in place, as this, the McDonald's and Popeyes are all on very valuable property these days in the transforming Pike District. B.F. Saul already has a tower planned for the McDonald's site.