The Trouble With Gifford’s Ice Cream Shops

Many people have been wondering why the Gifford’s Ice Cream Shop in Rockville Town Square is often closed. When we thought it must have gone out of business, the Shop would be open in the evening or on the weekend. What’s been happening?

Today Neal Lieberman of Gifford’s Wholesale informed the Town Center Action Team (TCAT) that they sold all of the Gifford’s stores to a Baltimore investor back in January. He described the situation in an email:

Unfortunately, the Baltimore guy has been a terrible partner to us, to the landlords, to the suppliers, etc. and we are in court with him to try and get the stores back. Due to the length of time it takes in the court system, we are not sure if that is going to happen (legally getting the stores back) before the landlord’s formally evict him from the premises.

Gifford’s Wholesale is actively looking to find new franchisees and present them to the landlord as alternatives.

The shops are located in Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, Downtown DC, and Downtown Baltimore.

Gold Star Muffins Arrive In Rockville!

A couple of years ago, I would meet my friend, Laura Levengard, for a weekly fast-paced walk. We had met in a sports class for our sons when they were toddlers. Always full of energy and ideas, she had become a personal trainer. One day she told me she wanted to sell muffins. Not just any muffins but rather unique, healthy ones that would be high in protein and low in calories. The kind of muffins someone would want to buy at a gym for all the right reasons.

I’ve had the great pleasure of watching Laura make the muffins a reality and now they are finally available in Rockville at Rich’s Café, which turns out to be a very special place too. Rich’s Café has been at 1 Church Street #105 across from the Rockville metro for two years. Previously it was located on North Washington Street for ten years.

Michelle and Tom Joo named the Café after their son and they live in King Farm. As customers came in for lunch, I couldn’t help but notice how they knew most of their names and even noticed new hairstyles. This is a friendly establishment serving breakfast and lunch from 7 AM until 4 PM. Located in the corner of the office building facing out to Rt. 355, the Café is an easy hop across the metro parking lot to grab a quick brown bag meal. Outside seating makes a nice meeting place during good weather.

Rich’s Café has all the typical sandwiches plus a vegetarian option, turkey brie, and triple subs. The grill cooks up eggs, omelets, pancakes, fried potatoes, and cheese steaks along with Korean Boolgoki which is marinated beef and vegetables. They also cater breakfasts with their selection of bagels and danishes and can be reached at 301-738-9650.

Of course, they carry Laura’s Gold Star Muffins front and center on the counter and they are selling well ($2.39 each).

Laura teamed up with partner, Beth Novick, to create Gold Star Bakers. The muffins are actually star-shaped and will “satisfy your urge to indulge” while being Tran’s fat free and made from natural ingredients.

They set out to create “a great muffin that wasn’t a health food (where’s the fun in that?) or a nutritional disaster (and feel guilty the rest of the day? No thanks).”

I’ve finally tried them all and I agree! They come in Cinnamon Coffecake, Strawberry Cinnamon, Cappuccino Chip, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Lemon Blueberry. With the high protein count, each muffin is filling and I do not need to put in extra time at the gym. The flavors are refined and better than baked goods typically labeled as healthy.

Gold Star Muffins are perfect for events when you want a tasty but healthy treat. You can also freeze them.

Laura grew up here in Rockville and graduated from Rockville High School. Although her muffins are sold throughout Montgomery County, she’s thrilled to finally make them available in her hometown. I, for one, am glad to be able to walk over and enjoy one (or two!) with my coffee.

Inc. Names Standard Solar In Top 500

Inc. magazine ranked Standard Solar 73rd on their Top 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America list. Located in Rockville, it’s the highest ranking renewable energy company to make the list. Standard Solar has had exponential growth as they develop and install solar electric systems for commercial, government and residential customers.

Inc. editor Jane Berentson states:

The Inc. 500 consists of these just-short-of miraculous companies, the ones that through ingenuity and ambition have increased revenue, hired employees, and grown fast in difficult economic times.

The company founder, Neville Williams, brought solar electricity to more than a half million people in 11 countries in Asia and Africa during the 1990’s with his company Solar Electric Light Fund. He realized that if poor people in developing countries could buy solar to light their homes, middle-income Americans should be able to do so too. He founded and named his company Standard Solar because he believed solar was going to replace oil one day.

During 2008, Standard Solar was selected to design and install what was then the largest solar electric system between New Jersey and Florida: a 205 kW array atop the U.S. Department of Energy Forrestal Building in DC. They will soon be installing more than 2,000 solar panels at the University of Delaware. They’ve also expanded and added a new division, Standard Energy Solutions, to provide energy auditing.

On Earth Day of this year, Standard Solar did a video from the top of the Rockville Ice Arena. The system is projected to meet about 30% of the Arena’s annual electricity needs and will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2)-equivalent emissions by about 757 tons each year.

Standard Solar describes the solar energy tax incentives for Montgomery County on their website.

Congratulations to Standard Solar!

Carmen’s New Truck Welcomes The New School Year

Last night when my family went to Carmen’s Italian Ice for a lazy summer evening treat, the parking lot in Woodley Gardens was packed. We’d never seen it so full. Turns out, Carmen’s took delivery on their brand new truck and owner Jason Mandler was sharing his enthusiasm with the community by giving away free custard.

The Chevy truck was outfitted in England with many special features including these cones on the front which light up. The vehicle had finally made it through customs and passed the restaurant health inspection so everyone at Carmen’s felt like celebrating. We certainly appreciate Carmen’s ongoing generosity to the community.

Today the truck was put into service for the very first time at Ritchie Park Elementary’s Sneak Peek. Students turned out to meet their teachers, find their friends, and tour their classrooms, which now include five portables. Unfortunately, three of them were put on the only remaining blacktop for basketball and foursquare.

This didn’t stop the kids from enjoying giant blowup games, a moon bounce, Potomac Pizza and Carmen’s. Parents could buy newly-designed t-shirts, join the PTA, sign up for International Night, and donate to the school supply drive. Summer really will be over next week.

How have other schools welcomed the new year? What changes are you seeing at your schools?