Wushiland Boba is preparing to open its first Maryland location next month at Federal Plaza in Rockville.

The Taiwanese tea chain sherernon social media this week that the Rockville shop is expected to open in June at 12266 E Rockville Pike, taking over the former Tiger Sugar space. The company promoted its authentic Taiwanese-style drinks made with premium tea leaves and handmade boba as “Bigger. Better. Straight from Taiwan.”

Founded in Tainan, Taiwan in 1994, Wushiland began as a hand-shaken tea shop and has since expanded internationally, including several locations in Southern California after opening its first U.S. store in San Diego in 2016. The brand is known for its fruit teas, milk teas, and chewy boba pearls made fresh daily.

The company says its mission is to bring “an authentic taste of Taiwan in every sip,” with drinks crafted using bold flavors and traditional tea-making techniques.

Coming soon signage for the Rockville location first went up earlier this year at Federal Plaza, replacing Tiger Sugar, which opened in the shopping center in 2021 and became known for its brown sugar bubble tea drinks featuring the brand’s signature “tiger stripe” design. An exact opening date has not yet been announced.

Chicago-based Giordano’s says it is now planning for an “early summer” opening for its first DMV location in downtown Washington, D.C., according to an update shared with PoPville.

The restaurant, famous for its stuffed deep-dish pizza, is taking over the roughly 7,000-square-foot space at 600 14th St. NW near Metro Center. The space has remained vacant since December 2023, when Todd English relocated MXDC Cocina Mexicana to another location on 14th Street.

Previous signage at the restaurant had pointed to a late spring opening, and the company had recently been hiring staff ahead of its debut. An exact opening date has still not been announced.

Giordano’s first revealed plans last year to bring its iconic Chicago-style pizza to the location within the Hamilton Square development. The restaurant is expected to serve as the brand’s flagship DMV location, with leadership previously suggesting additional locations across the region could follow.

Founded in 1974 by brothers Efren and Joseph Boglio, Giordano’s grew from a South Side Chicago neighborhood pizzeria into one of the country’s most recognizable deep-dish pizza brands. The restaurant is best known for its stuffed pizza, featuring layers of mozzarella and fillings beneath a thin top crust and tomato sauce.

Today, Giordano’s operates more than 70 locations nationwide.

 

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Update: MCPS has lifted the HOLD status and Walt Whitman HS is back to normal operation. Officers are still on scene.

Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) officers were dispatched Tuesday at 12:11pm to Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda for what appears to be a swatting call.

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has placed the school in a secure status while officers investigate. Police remain on scene, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

We will provide an update if additional verified information becomes available.

Governor Wes Moore has condemned the antisemitic graffiti discovered last week at Greenwood Elementary School in Brookeville, calling the incident unacceptable and reaffirming the state’s commitment to combating hate.

“I unequivocally condemn the antisemitic graffiti at Greenwood Elementary School in Olney; such hate has no place in our schools or our state, especially as we begin Jewish American Heritage Month,” Moore said in a statement. “Ensuring my people feel safe where they live, work, worship, and learn remains my greatest priority. Our administration is working closely with local authorities to combat this hate and stomp out antisemitism in all its forms.”

As previously reported by on May 2, Montgomery County Public Schools officials launched an investigation after antisemitic graffiti was discovered overnight at Greenwood Elementary School.

According to a letter sent to families by Principal Jennifer Seidel, the graffiti was found on a wall near the kitchen entrance and on metal covering near the building’s roof line. The vandalism included an expletive, anti-Israel messaging, references to Israeli leadership, and an image of the Star of David. Additional harmful language was also reported near the roof line.

The incident was reported to MCPS security and the Montgomery County Department of Police, with officials reviewing surveillance footage as part of the investigation. MCPS noted that recent upgrades to the school’s camera system may assist investigators in identifying those responsible.

School officials said the graffiti would be covered immediately, with permanent removal and cleaning completed before students and staff returned to campus Monday. Counselors and psychologists were also made available to support students and staff impacted by the incident, while MCPS security increased patrols around the school.