Oak Barrel & Vine is now open at Muddy Branch Square in Gaithersburg, with a special grand opening weekend planned for Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12, according to store employees (photos below).

The new boutique-style Montgomery County liquor store has officially welcomed customers following a four-month renovation of the former county liquor store at 866 Muddy Branch Road. The transformation follows an approximately $850,000 renovation project, for which the City of Gaithersburg issued a building permit earlier this year. Construction began after the previous store closed in mid-February.

Oak Barrel & Vine is Montgomery County’s evolving retail concept designed to modernize its liquor stores with a more upscale shopping experience. The updated stores feature a curated selection of beer, wine and spirits, with an increased focus on locally produced products. The redesigned layout also includes dedicated tasting areas and a more refined retail environment compared to traditional county-operated liquor stores.

When the store closed in February, signage indicated renovations would take approximately four months, with nearby county liquor stores in Darnestown, Walnut Hill, Gaithersburg Square and Fallsgrove serving customers during the closure. The store hit its anticipated reopening timeframe.

Montgomery Parks has announced the opening of Rock Spring Park, a new neighborhood park in Bethesda that was constructed by Erickson Senior Living and will now be managed and maintained by Montgomery Parks.

A public celebration marking the park’s opening will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 10:30am to 11:30am at 10350 Fernwood Road. The event will include a speaking program followed by light refreshments.

“Rock Spring Park is a strong example of how the public and private sectors can collaborate to create meaningful new community gathering spaces,” said Montgomery Parks Director Miti Figueredo. “We are grateful to Erickson Senior Living for helping make this park possible and proud to welcome residents to a new place for play, connection and outdoor recreation.”

The park was built by Erickson Senior Living as part of the public benefit and open space requirements associated with the nearby Grandview Senior Living Community. Following completion, ownership of the park was transferred to Montgomery Parks.

Rock Spring Park features amenities designed for residents of all ages, including nature-based play equipment and playgrounds for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12. The park also includes outdoor fitness equipment designed for adults with a range of abilities, a multi-use plaza with ping-pong tables, walking paths, and bench swings.

According to Montgomery Parks, the new park is intended to expand access to outdoor recreation while providing a welcoming space for neighbors and visitors to gather, play, and connect.

The Crab Trap is now open at 15211 Frederick Rd. in Rockville, located at the Exxon station on the corner of E. Gude Drive and 355 (preview video below).

According to the restaurant’s website, The Crab Trap is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sunday from 11am to 7pm. For now, orders can be called in at 227-292-9933 as online ordering is being finalized.

The Crab Trap specializes in Maryland-inspired seafood with a menu centered around crab cakes made with Maryland blue crab. The food truck offers both jumbo lump and lump crab cake sandwiches, along with items such as the Trap Burger, Chesapeake Chicken, boardwalk-style fries, Maryland street corn, crab hushpuppies, and rotating desserts through its “Sweets By Sam” program.

As previously reported, owner and chef Matt Biscoe launched The Crab Trap with a focus on Chesapeake Bay flavors and a commitment to quality ingredients. The concept’s tagline, “JUMBO LUMP, NO JUNK!,” reflects its emphasis on traditional Maryland crab cakes and straightforward preparation.

 

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