Hug Lounge is now open at 949 Bonifant St., the former location of Pennyworth Thrift Shop, according to the company’s website. The menu largely consists of Ethiopian cuisine, with breakfast offered along with smoothies and several fish dishes.
Montgomery County is now fully reopened, with all local health orders and their restrictions lifted as of 6 a.m. this morning. There are no longer any county pandemic-related limits on capacity or distancing, though residents are still subject to certain requirements from the state.
Still Point Spa, a long-time Takoma Park business, will diversify into the food truck business, according to an announcement from Main Street Takoma. The spa plans to launch The Green Rooster food truck in mid-July.
The county’s Planning Board will be asked to renew the Temporary Suspension of Alcohol Prohibition in Designated Parks at the commission’s Thursday, May 27 meeting, according to a press release from Montgomery Parks. The temporary directive was part of a pilot program enacted on Sept. 24, 2020, which suspended the prohibition of alcohol in nine Montgomery Parks, which is set to expire May 31.
County restaurants, bars and taverns with off-premise liquor licenses will be allowed to continue to sell mixed drinks or cocktails for take out or delivery under the terms of a law signed last week by Gov. Larry Hogan (R). The law is effective July 1 and will permit the sale of these beverages until June 30, 2023.
Some eateries have turned off third-party delivery apps to limit online orders as in-person dining roars back to life, including downtown Silver Spring’s All Set Restaurant & Bar and its sister operation, Money Muscle BBQ.
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation is now accepting applications from county restaurants for a third round of grants to help those businesses survive the pandemic. The County Council has authorized another $3.8 million appropriation from the state to MCEDC.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen will open an outlet at 8401 Georgia Ave., according to a “Coming Soon” sign now posted in the window. Construction has been underway for several weeks to convert the space formerly occupied by Bombay Gaylord.
Takoma Station is reopening for live jazz shows beginning tonight (May 15) and every Saturday night, according to Michael Phillips of JK Productions, who is booking the shows.