Three Montgomery County ice cream shops have been included on PETA’s newly launched Maryland “Nice Cream Trail,” a statewide guide highlighting businesses that offer vegan ice cream and dairy-free frozen desserts.

The animal rights organization announced the trail as a “compassionate alternative” to the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail.

Among the local shops featured are La Gelatteria (10414 Detrick Ave., Kensington), which rotates seasonal dairy-free gelato flavors including Dark Chocolate with Almond Milk, Salted Caramel and Toasted Coconut; Mimi’s Handmade Ice Cream (12274 Rockville Pike, Rockville), which offers vegan flavors such as Coffee Oreo, Chocolate and Ube, along with sorbets including Mango, Raspberry and Lemon; and Sarah’s Handmade Ice Cream & Treats, with locations at 5241 River Rd. and 10219 Old Georgetown Rd. in Bethesda, 14929 Shady Grove Rd., Suite I, in Rockville, and 8551 Connecticut Ave., B202, in Chevy Chase, featuring dairy-free flavors such as Cherry Hibiscus, Chocolate Without the Moo and Rainbow Sorbet.

Participants who visit all 10 featured shops across Maryland by Aug. 18 and submit their receipts and reviews will be eligible for a chance to win a private visit from PETA’s “iScream” truck.

Plans for Tatte Bakery & Cafe to open a location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood are no longer moving forward.

After Tatte was listed as an upcoming tenant on leasing documents for Kentlands Market Square and employees at other area Tatte locations confirmed the plans, we have now learned that the bakery and café will not be opening in the former Buca di Beppo space at 112 Kentlands Blvd. According to sources familiar with the matter, the plans changed a few months ago.

Mattress Warehouse is still expected to occupy approximately half of the former Buca di Beppo building. Workers currently involved in construction at the site told us that a different bakery and café has signed on for the remaining space. We will share additional details once the new tenant is confirmed.

At the time, the Kentlands location would have marked Tatte’s fourth Montgomery County café. The company opened its first county location in downtown Bethesda in March 2021, followed by a second Bethesda location at Westbard in November 2024 and a Rockville location on Rockville Pike in January 2026.

Tatte has grown from a small Boston farmers market stand into a regional bakery and café brand with more than 40 locations throughout Greater Boston and the Washington metropolitan area. Its menu features pastries, breads, sandwiches, salads, shakshuka, specialty coffee, tea, and other café offerings.

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Bill Maher at the Kennedy Center on Sunday. He has recently likened President Trump to an emperor, mocked his approval ratings, and said the president has done “things that are racist, misogynistic, anti-democratic and corrupt.”

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.