Beyond MoCo

“LEGO Discovery Center DC” to Open This Summer

By MCS Staff

Last year we reported that Springfield Town Center, in Springfield Virginia (Fairfax County) executed an agreement with Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second-largest visitor attractions operator, to launch the next generation of LEGO Discovery Center in 2023. The 32,000 square foot indoor attraction has been co-created by Merlin & the LEGO Group and will be accessible on one level right off the main entrance to the property. Springfield Town Center is located at the intersection of I-95, 395, 495, and Fairfax Parkway. There are currently 14 Legoland Discovery Centers in the United States and 13 overseas, with the closest being in Philadelphia. The center has since announced that it will be known as LEGO Discovery Center DC and is expected to open this summer. Additional information below, courtesy of Merlin Entertainments:

“We are delighted to be opening an indoor LEGO attraction in Washington DC at Springfield Town Center. Our LEGO themed attractions have been a huge success across the globe, providing an opportunity for adults and children to spend fun and quality time together in an awesome LEGO world. We look forward to revealing more special details over the coming months ahead of welcoming our first visitors in 2023,” said Meike Lippert, Senior Divisional Director Midway Europe and Global New Openings, Merlin Entertainments. “This new attraction helps PREIT achieve its goal of creating high quality purposeful places that serve as one-stop destinations for customers at a key property in a growing market,” said Joseph F. Coradino, Chairman and CEO of PREIT. “Experiential tenants have proven to be great catalysts throughout our portfolio and we expect that, upon opening, our trade area will expand by a two hour drive time, driving traffic and sales.”

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Olney

Olney Ale House Building Sold for $1.45 Million; New Owners Plan to Reopen in About a Year

By MCS Staff

The 100-year old building that is home to the Olney Ale House has been sold to Two Sibs LLC, led by Selim Kantar, for $1.45 million, according to the deed. Olney Ale House, located at 2000 Olney Sandy Spring Rd (Rt. 108 and Doctor Bird Rd.), operated in the space until a kitchen fire caused the restaurant to shut down in 2019. In September, we spoke with previous owner John Rich who told us he was interested in selling to someone that would continue to run it as the Olney Ale House restaurant. We spoke with Kantar today, who told us that he will be doing just that.

The restaurant will keep the Olney Ale House name and operate with an updated menu and new cocktails. Kantar tells us that work is just getting started and that there is a lot of it that has to be done before the restaurant is ready to open, so a 2024 opening is the most likely scenario. We will have updates for you as the restaurant continues with renovations and moves closer toward opening.  The news of the sale was first reported by @themocosource. Below we share with you the restaurant’s rich history, courtesy of the Olney Ale House website:

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Silver Spring

Tastee Diner in Silver Spring Sold to Developer; Plans for New Mixed-Use Residential Project

By Patrick Herron

Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed today, March 22, at 2pm. According to a report from the Washington Business Journal, the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for an undisclosed price.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project.

“As a Silver Spring native myself, I have a deep appreciation for the history and culture of this vibrant community. It is a true privilege to be able to showcase Roadside’s passion for the community by incorporating Tastee Diner’s original dining car into the project,” said Jeff Edelstein, Partner at Roadside Development. “It has been a pleasure to get to know Gene over the last year. He has entrusted us with this opportunity and Roadside is honored to be able to breathe new life into the block and continue to grow this dynamic part of Silver Spring’s ever-evolving downtown.”

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White Oak

MCFRS Respond to Collision With Overturned Vehicle and Entrapment Wednesday Afternoon

By Patrick Herron

Update -White Oak SC, we are parking lot, collision, with entrapment, one z(1) person extricated, @MCFRS_EMIHS transporting 1 adult, trauma, NLT; & @MCFRS_EMIHS also assisting PD (unrelated) at same location evaluating another adult NLT https://t.co/nKLiopEpKC pic.twitter.com/UqLpARAaZi

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) March 22, 2023

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Gaithersburg

Privai Spa Closes Kentlands Location

By MCS Staff

Privai Spa has closed its Kentlands location at 62 Market St, an associate from the Pike & Rose location confirmed (Pike & Rose location remains open). The 7,425 SF space, which is now listed as available for lease by Saul Centers, was previously home to Mynd Spa and Red Door Spa. The associate informed us that the location has been closed for “at least a couple weeks.”

In October 2021, Privai Spa announced the expansion of its brand the debut of Privai | Spa + Salon. At that time, the company announced they would open a Pike & Rose location followed by a Gaithersburg location at 62 Market St. in the Kentlands neighborhood. Per Privai, “Founded upon the belief that everyone deserves “spa in a bottle” skincare products that provide accessible luxury and rejuvenation, Christina Stratton and Ilana Alberico developed the Privai line following the success of their spa and wellness management company, Innovative Spa Management (ISM SPA). This next evolution of the Privai brand brings their passion about self-care and personalized wellness to life in order to better serve individuals’ body, mind, and sense of self.”

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MoCo Government

WSSC Water Now Accepting Applications for Engineering Scholarships

By Patrick Herron
HANDOUT -Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission plans to change its name and logo from "WSSC" and a water drop to the above. (Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission)

Per Montgomery County: WSSC Water’s is now accepting applications for its 2023 Commissioners Engineering Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate engineering students. Graduating high school seniors accepted into a collegiate engineering program also are eligible to apply. Winners of the scholarships receive $2,000 per year and up to $8,000 over four consecutive years.

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Bethesda

Montgomery County to Sponsor Seven Pit Stops During Washington Region’s Annual ‘Bike to Work Day’ on Friday, May 19

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: National Bike to Work Day will be held on Friday, May 19, and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will sponsor seven pit stops throughout the County as part of the Washington Region’s participation in the event. Registration for the free event is now open. The first 15,000 bicyclists to register and participate will get a free t-shirt and will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a new bike.

“Today, we offer more bike paths, dedicated lanes, as well as opportunities to transport a bike on RideOn, MetroBus and Metrorail, than ever before,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Biking to your job or to run errands is a healthy form of transportation that does not produce pollution or add cars to the road. I encourage everyone to join us on Bike to Work Day and consider biking as a transportation alternative this summer.”

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Bethesda

County Executive Elrich to Hold Six ‘Community Conversations’ to Talk About Long-term Priorities and the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvements Budget

By Patrick Herron

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich will hold six “community conversations” at sites around the County in April and May to talk about long-term priorities and how he will address the Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget. The first event will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, at the White Oak Community Recreation Center in Silver Spring. Five of the community conversations will be in-person events. On May 1, the community conversation will be a virtual only event.

A capital budget plan that states how much money is needed for major construction projects and for purchase and maintenance of the assets. It also determines the amount of time that will be used for the planning and design of the project. The CIP refers to items such as land, buildings, equipment and other investments in the County. The capital budget addresses planning for long-term major projects. It differs from the County operating budget, which funds spending needs for a one-year period.

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Darnestown

Police Investigating Fatal Collision That Occurred Early Wednesday Morning

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Police are investigating a fatal collision that occurred at approximately 12:27 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Darnestown. According to MCPD, “The preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of a gray Toyota 4Runner was traveling west in the 14400 block of Turkey Foot Road. For reasons that are still under investigation, the Toyota left the roadway and struck multiple trees, causing the vehicle to overturn. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Montgomery County Department of Police, Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating this collision. A news release will be distributed once more information is available, including the name of the deceased following proper notification of next of kin.”

We will post an update when additional information becomes available. 

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Gaithersburg

MCFRS Respond to Fire at Gaithersburg Apartment Building

By Patrick Herron

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire at the Streamside Apartments on the 300 blk of N. Summit Ave, near Girard St, in Gaithersburg around 9am on Tuesday, March 22. According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, the “small” fire was located on the 3rd floor of the building around a ceiling exhaust fan. The fire has been extinguished and there were no injuries reported. One family has likely been displaced. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – N Summit Avenue, three-story garden-style apartment, smoke on third floor, small fire in living room knocked down, occupant is out and OK”

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Silver Spring

Tastee Diner to Close its Silver Spring Location After 75+ Years

By MCS Staff

Update: Tastee Diner at 8601 Cameron St. in Silver Spring permanently closed today, March 22, at 2pm. According to a report from the Washington Business Journal, the diner was sold on March 21 to D.C. based Roadside Development for an undisclosed price.  Roadside Development, which purchased the adjacent Capital One bank lot back in August, plans on creating a “multifamily mixed-use” redevelopment at the two sites. According to a press release, the original dining car from the diner will be incorporated into the future project. Source of the Spring first reported the news of Tastee Diner’s closing.

Tastee Diner opened its Silver Spring location on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Georgia Avenue in 1946. After 65 years, the diner faced being closed and destroyed to make room for Silver Spring’s Discovery Building but local residents rallied to save and move the diner to its current location.  The original Tastee Diner opened on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda in 1935 before moving to its current location at 7731 Woodmont Ave. There is an additional Tastee Diner location at 118 Washington Blvd in Laurel.

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