Montgomery County Police have released the following information regarding a shooting that occurred Sunday, July 10, on the 13800 block of Outlet Dr, which is location of the Briggs Chaney MarketPlace.
“At approximately 5:20 p.m., MCP officers responded to the parking lot in the 13800 block of Outlet Dr. for the report of a shooting that just occurred. Officers arrived at the scene and located an adult male victim with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body.
The victim was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. Several businesses and vehicles were struck by rounds. The suspects have not been apprehended. This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released once it becomes available.”
Around 7pm, Fox5’s Lindsay Watts tweeted: “Terrifying scene outside Montgomery Co barber shop. Witnesses inside say they were on the ground as shots were fired that shattered shop door & car windows 40 yards away.”
Montgomery County Police are investigating a shooting in the 13800 block of Outlet Dr. An adult male was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. Police have secured the area.
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) July 10, 2022
Terrifying scene outside Montgomery Co barber shop. Witnesses inside say they were on the ground as shots were fired that shattered shop door & car windows 40 yards away. @mcpnews say adult male shot in upper body is seriously hurt.
13800 block Outlet Dr. Silver Spring @fox5dc pic.twitter.com/focJNwAv9g
— Lindsay Watts (@LindsayAWatts) July 10, 2022
Community members are invited to take an online questionnaire in support of the fall placemaking festival, sign up as a festival volunteer, and attend a series of virtual and in-person Visioning Workshops about the future of the plan area
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is hosting several opportunities for the community to get involved with the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan. These include efforts to support the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival as well as the plan’s Visioning Phase, starting on June 27 and taking place through the summer.
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just, and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and communities of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the US 29 Corridor from near Paint Branch on the south to Greencastle Road on the north.
Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival
On June 1, Montgomery Planning staff held a virtual kickoff meeting for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival. During the kickoff event, Montgomery Planning launched the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival effort. In addition, community members were invited to participate in this effort by providing their ideas and feedback on how to temporarily transform a small portion of the parking lot shared by the Montgomery County Services Center, Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, and the Briggs Chaney Park and Ride into a fun and inviting place for residents to visit. The placemaking festival will culminate with a free, community-led event scheduled for October 21 and October 22. If you were unable to attend the virtual kickoff meeting, you can access the kickoff meeting recording and presentation on the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival webpage.
All community members are welcome to respond to the Montgomery Planning team’s questionnaire from now until June 20 to guide the festival’s program and design. Some potential temporary changes could include ground murals, greenery and landscaping, shade, seating, and opportunities for community gathering. Additionally, Montgomery Planning staff hope to test some ideas and get feedback that will be incorporated into the ongoing master planning efforts for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities and Montgomery County.
Take the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival Questionnaire.
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival team also invites community members to volunteer to later help create the temporary public open space. Community members will work with the Better Block Foundation team through the summer and fall to build, paint, and construct their ideas and bring them to life. This transformed outdoor space will host food and retail vendors, Montgomery Parks’activities and features, and a welcoming place for residents to gather with their family, neighbors, and friends during the October 2022 public celebration.
Sign up to volunteer to help create the temporary festival space this fall.
Fairland and Briggs Chaney Visioning Workshops
The community is invited to attend virtual and in-person events to share ideas for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney plan area. This phase will kick off with a virtual Visioning Workshop on June 27.
Each Visioning Workshop will include a presentation of the equitable engagement efforts to date, followed by a discussion facilitated by Story Tapestries on the community’s vision. The feedback and ideas collected during the Visioning Workshops will inform Montgomery Planning’s preliminary recommendations for the master plan.
There are two virtual and four in-person Visioning Workshops scheduled. RSVPs are required unless otherwise stated. Please provide at least 10 business days’ notice for ADA or language translation assistance. Virtual sessions will be recorded and posted on the plan’s website.
Virtual Fairland and Briggs Chaney Visioning Workshops
Join Montgomery Planning via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on June 27 and July 19 to discuss the master plan update and share your ideas and recommendations for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities through a series of interactive activities.
In-Person Fairland and Briggs Chaney Visioning Workshops
Click map to enlarge
The community is invited to share ideas and feedback in person on July 6, 14, 22, and 24 to help envision the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities. Each meeting will include a recap of community feedback heard at prior Visioning Workshops. While three of the in-person meetings will be facilitated by Story Tapestries through a series of engaging small group activities that focus on a specific part of the Fairland-Briggs Chaney Master Plan area, ideas for the entire area are welcome at every meeting. Additionally, community members are invited to share their ideas with the master plan team at a family-friendly community event on July 22 at Fairland Recreational Park.
Wednesday, July 6 – Meet at the Seventh Day Adventist Headquarters (12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD) from 6 to 8 p.m. The conversation will focus on the southern portion of the master plan area.
Thursday, July 14 – Meet at the Greencastle Lakes Community Center (3661 Turbridge Drive, Burtonsville, MD) from 6 to 8 p.m. The conversation will focus on the northern portion of the master plan area.
Friday, July 22 – Meet Montgomery Parks and Planning staff and other community partners for this fun and engaging, family-friendly community event at the M-NCPPC Fairland Recreational Park (3928 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, MD) in the north lot from 5 to 8 p.m. Food, music, and entertainment will be provided. Participants are encouraged to share ideas on the future of parks and recreation in the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities, meet community partners from across the county, and grab some free treats. (No RSVP required, community members are invited to stop by between 5 and 8 p.m.)
Sunday, July 24 – Meet at the East County Community Recreation Center (3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring, MD) from 2 to 4 p.m. for the last in-person Visioning Workshops with Story Tapestries. The conversation will focus on the central portion of the master plan area.
Community members who register for these events will receive a reminder 48 hours before the event with a request to let Montgomery Planning know if they can no longer attend.
Learn more about what to expect at the Visioning Workshops with the FAQs section of the plan’s webpage.
Additional ways to get involved
- Sign-up for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney E-Letter
- Review the Scope of Work report, Community Engagement report and the Existing Conditions
- Request a meeting and/or send your comments directly to the plan’s co-project managers: [email protected] and [email protected]
Equitable approach to planning
Equity is a foundational goal of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, and racial equity and social justice is an essential theme throughout the planning process. Montgomery Planning is making every effort to understand the historical context and current experience of inequity within the plan area. Community engagement efforts are designed to meet people ‘where they are’ in the community and to provide welcoming, accessible, inclusive, and safe environments in which to learn about the master plan and offer meaningful input in the process. As a complement to the planning process Montgomery Planning is also striving to develop a stronger social network that embraces the advantages of a multi-racial and multi-cultural community.
About the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just, and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and communities of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the US 29 Corridor from near Paint Branch on the south to Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities, and the environment. This master plan will take cues from the equity framework in the update to the county’s General Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, which describes how places with equitable access to opportunity produce strong, successful communities. Goals of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan include:
- Complete Community: Identify and correct past inequitable development policies to make the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities more whole and connected by integrating centers of housing, retail, and office development with parks and open space to make 15-minute living a reality for as many people as possible.
- Resilient Economy: Promote economic development and job growth within the plan area and surrounding communities.
- Housing: Promote racial and economic diversity and equity in housing to help rectify past discriminatory housing policies in every neighborhood.
- Arts, Culture and Environment: Support arts and cultural institutions, through parks, open space and environment, recreational programming, and development, to celebrate our diversity, strengthen pride of place, and make the county more attractive and interesting.
- Corridor Growth and Connectivity: Promote and prioritize public and private investment along the Route 29 corridor and neighboring communities to leverage and attract future private investment in community facilities and redevelopment, including a safer, more comfortable network for walking, biking, and rolling that connects the corridor communities.
Featured photo by @DronifyDMV
Last November we let you know that it was likely Chipotle would be taking over the Little Caesers location in Briggs Chaney Marketplace. That move has now been confirmed, but a projected opening date is not currently available.
Little Caesars closed the Briggs Chaney Marketplace location at the beginning of the summer in 2021 and many local residents have wondered what would be taking its place. We are told the location could possibly be a walk-up/drive-thru only Chipotle, which isn’t common in the area.
Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
Community members are invited to attend in-person and virtual events in June and July to share ideas for the future of the plan area
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department announced the launch of the Visioning Phase of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan. The community is invited to attend virtual and in-person events to share ideas for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney plan area. This phase will kick off with a virtual Visioning Workshop on June 27.
Each Visioning Workshop will include a presentation of the equitable engagement efforts to date, followed by a discussion facilitated by Story Tapestries on the community’s vision. The feedback and ideas collected during the Visioning Workshops will inform Montgomery Planning’s preliminary recommendations for the master plan. The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan will update a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan by identifying goals, policies, and strategies to address community challenges, with a focus on a portion of the US 29 corridor between the Paint Branch stream valley and Greencastle Road.
We invite anyone who is interested in the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities to attend our Visioning Workshops,” said project co-lead Molline Jackson. “We look forward to learning and sharing with residents and business owners on discovering the community vision for the future.”
There are two virtual and four in-person Visioning Workshops scheduled. RSVPs are required unless otherwise stated. Please provide at least 10 business days’ notice for ADA or language translation assistance. Virtual sessions will be recorded and posted on the plan’s website.
Also, the community is invited to attend the fourth Community Pop-up Event on Sunday, June 5 at the Briggs Chaney Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be the last in a series of pop-up events to informally engage with the community on a one-to-one basis before the Visioning Workshops.
Virtual Fairland and Briggs Chaney Visioning Workshops
Join Montgomery Planning via Zoom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on June 27 and July 19 to discuss the master plan update and share your ideas and recommendations for the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities through a series of interactive activities.
In-Person Fairland and Briggs Chaney Visioning Workshops
The community is invited to share ideas and feedback in-person on July 6, 14, 22, and 24 to help envision the future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities. Each meeting will include a recap of community feedback heard at prior Visioning Workshops. While three of the in-person meetings will be facilitated by Story Tapestries through a series of engaging small group activities that focus on a specific part of the Fairland-Briggs Chaney Master Plan area, ideas for the entire area are welcome at every meeting. Additionally, community members are invited to share their ideas with the master plan team at a family-friendly community event on July 22 at Fairland Recreational Park.
Wednesday, July 6 – Meet at the Seventh Day Adventist Headquarters (12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD) from 6 to 8 p.m. The conversation will focus on the southern portion of the master plan area.
Thursday, July 14 – Meet at the Greencastle Lakes Community Center (3661 Turbridge Drive, Burtonsville, MD) from 6 to 8 p.m. The conversation will focus on the northern portion of the master plan area.
Friday, July 22 – Meet Montgomery Parks and Planning staff and other community partners for this fun and engaging, family-friendly community event at the M-NCPPC Fairland Recreational Park (3928 Greencastle Road, Burtonsville, MD) in the north lot from 5 to 8 p.m. Food, music, and entertainment will be provided. Participants are encouraged to share ideas on the future of parks and recreation in the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities, meet community partners from across the county, and grab some free treats. (No RSVP required, community members are invited to stop by between 5 and 8 p.m.)
Sunday, July 24 – Meet at the East County Community Recreation Center (3310 Gateshead Manor Way, Silver Spring, MD) from 2 to 4 p.m. for the last in-person Visioning Workshops with Story Tapestries. The conversation will focus on the central portion of the master plan area.
Community members who register for these events will receive a reminder 48 hours before the event with a request to let Montgomery Planning know if they can no longer attend.
Learn more about what to expect at the Visioning Workshops with the FAQs section of the plan’s webpage.
The Visioning Workshops follow the presentation on April 21, 2022 to the Montgomery County Planning Board, and a virtual community presentation on April 19, on the Existing Conditions Report, which documents the community assets and existing physical conditions of the plan area including transportation infrastructure, parks, schools, housing, business and environmental conditions. The report follows months of community engagement including meetings, canvassing local businesses, a pedestrian audit, and community pop-up events. Learn more about the engagement activities of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Planning team.
The Working Draft of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan will be presented to the Planning Board in Fall 2022. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing for the plan in late 2022 or early 2023. Montgomery Planning anticipates transmitting the Planning Board Draft plan to the County Council for review and approval by the Spring of 2023.
Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival
The community is invited to a virtual kickoff meeting scheduled for Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams to launch the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival effort. The placemaking festival will culminate with a free, community-led event scheduled for October 21 and October 22. RSVPs are required to attend the kickoff meeting. Please make any requests for accessibility or translation accommodations for the meeting by May 23. RSVP for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking kickoff meeting. During the kickoff event, community members will be asked for ideas and feedback on how to temporarily transform the Park and Ride area into a fun and inviting place for residents to visit. The festival team also invites community members to later volunteer to help create the temporary public open space.
Additional ways to get involved
- Sign-up for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney E-Letter
- Review the Scope of Work report, Community Engagement report and the Existing Conditions
- Attend the virtual Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival Kickoff Meeting on June 1.
- Attend the fourth Community Pop-up Event on Sunday, June 5 at the Briggs Chaney Marketplace from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be the last in a series of pop-up events to informally engage with the community on a one-to-one basis before the Visioning Workshops.
- Request a meeting and/or send your comments directly to the plan’s co-project managers: [email protected] and [email protected]
Equitable approach to planning
Equity is a foundational goal of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, and racial equity and social justice is an essential theme throughout the planning process. Montgomery Planning is making every effort to understand the historical context and current experience of inequity within the plan area. Community engagement efforts are designed to meet people ‘where they are’ in the community and to provide welcoming, accessible, inclusive, and safe environments in which to learn about the master plan and offer meaningful input in the process. As a complement to the planning process Montgomery Planning is also striving to develop a stronger social network that embraces the advantages of a multi-racial and multi-cultural community.
About the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just, and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and communities of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the US 29 Corridor from near Paint Branch on the south to Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities, and the environment. This master plan will take cues from the equity framework in the update to the county’s General Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, which describes how places with equitable access to opportunity produce strong, successful communities. Goals of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan include:
- Complete Community: Identify and correct past inequitable development policies to make the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities more whole and connected by integrating centers of housing, retail, and office development with parks and open space to make 15-minute living a reality for as many people as possible.
- Resilient Economy: Promote economic development and job growth within the plan area and surrounding communities.
- Housing: Promote racial and economic diversity and equity in housing to help rectify past discriminatory housing policies in every neighborhood.
- Arts, Culture and Environment: Support arts and cultural institutions, through parks, open space and environment, recreational programming, and development, to celebrate our diversity, strengthen pride of place, and make the county more attractive and interesting.
- Corridor Growth and Connectivity: Promote and prioritize public and private investment along the Route 29 corridor and neighboring communities to leverage and attract future private investment in community facilities and redevelopment, including a safer, more comfortable network for walking, biking, and rolling that connects the corridor communities.
Montgomery Planning and the Better Block Foundation invite community members to collaborate to reimagine the Briggs Chaney Park and Ride area through a placemaking festival on October 21 and 22
WHEATON, MD –The Montgomery County Planning Departmentand the Dallas-based nonprofit Better Block Foundation invite residents and business owners to collaborate on a special placemaking initiative to demonstrate the goals of the ongoing Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan. A virtual kickoff meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 1 at 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams to launch the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival effort. The placemaking festival will culminate with a free, community-led event scheduled for October 21 and October 22. RSVPs are required to attend the kickoff meeting. Please make any requests for accessibility or translation accommodations for the meeting by May 23.
RSVP for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking kickoff meeting.
During the kickoff event, community members will be asked for ideas and feedback on how to temporarily transform the Park and Ride area into a fun and inviting place for residents to visit. The festival team also invites community members to later volunteer to help create the temporary public open space.
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival will be held this fall at the Briggs Chaney Park and Ride (3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring, MD 20904) area to bring together residents, visitors, local business owners and representatives of civic associations. Community members will work with the Better Block team through the summer and fall to build, paint, and construct their ideas and bring them to life. This transformed outdoor space will host food and retail vendors, Montgomery Parks’ activities and features, and a welcoming place for residents to gather with their family, neighbors and friends during the October 2022 public celebration. In addition to the June 1 virtual meeting, community members may provide feedback through an online questionnaire on the Placemaking Festival webpage that will be available from June 1 through June 20.
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Placemaking Festival is modeled on the White Flint Placemaking Festival that took place in October 2018 and drew more than 1,000 people and the Burtonsville Placemaking Festival in 2019 which drew more than 3,500 people over the course of a weekend.
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney (FBC) Placemaking Festival is intended to:
- Highlight the vision and recommendations of the ongoing FBC Master Plan.
- Demonstrate ways of achieving the plan’s vision for public spaces through short-term solutions before major investments are made.
- Embrace placemaking as a means of capturing shared values and generating ideas for public spaces.
- Engage local businesses, schools, and community members in a dialogue about the role of public spaces and streetscape designs within their community.
- Encourage property owners to plan for the long-term transformation of their properties.
- Use temporary placemaking as a tool to gather data and help inform permanent designs for successful public spaces and streetscapes in the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan.
- Make a positive impact on the community with a public space that can be used for community events after the placemaking festival.
What is placemaking?
Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent public spaces as the heart of their community, strengthening the connection between people and the places they share. More than just promoting better urban design, placemaking refers to a collaborative process by which we can shape our public realm to maximize shared value. The practice also facilitates creative patterns of use, paying particular attention to the physical, cultural, and social identities that define a place and support its ongoing evolution. Learn more about Montgomery Planning’s placemaking efforts.
KE Tobacco Shop has opened at 13842-C in the Briggs Chaney Marketplace shopping center.
It has taken the spot formerly occupied by Hair Beyond, and is located between Adarash Market and Don Pollo.
Adarash Market opened last year in the location that used to be home to Tropical Grocery.
KE Tobacco Shop advertises CBD and hookah sales.
Featured photo courtesy of Dave Golden.
Community Engagement Report highlights the initial outreach process, data, and findings for the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan.
The Montgomery County Planning Department presented the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan Community Engagement Report to the Montgomery County Planning Board at their February 3, 2022 meeting. The report offers a summary of the initial community outreach and engagement activities, preliminary findings, and next steps for the plan.
Throughout the process, planners have engaged residents, business owners and other stakeholders through a series of in-person and virtual options. Materials and listening sessions were translated into different languages to encourage equitable participation with the area’s population. To date planners have:
- Received comments from more than 700 residents in the plan area.
- Held a speaker series, call “CommUNITY Conversations in Fairland” that highlighted people-first planning Fairland and the work of neighborhood influencers.
- Hosted four listening sessions to gather information on community concerns and document individual stories.
- Partnered with Everyday Canvassing to knock on over 3,850 doors to conduct in-person interviews.
- Conducted a pedestrian audit of the plan area to highlight opportunities for the plan to make recommendations to be more friendly to walk and roll.
- Reached out via online surveys, formal and informal community meetings, mailings and other tools.
Read the Community Engagement report.
“The overall outreach and engagement strategy has been a focused on putting people first,” said Upcounty Master Planning Supervisor Don Zeigler. “The community is the backbone of this plan process, and we have been happy to have been able to speak to so many residents in the plan area.”
Next steps
Planners will continue to engage the community throughout the process. Continued efforts include focus groups, business and property owner canvassing, a pedestrian audit toolkit and a public photo contest. As the plan shifts to other phases, the Working Draft of the plan will be presented to the Planning Board sometime in Fall 2022. A public hearing for the plan will be held in late 2022 or early 2023.
If you are interested in the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan, sign up for the plan’s eletter or contact Project managers:
[email protected] or [email protected]
About the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan
The Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan is an update to a portion of the 1997 Fairland Master Plan and will establish a clear vision for an equitable, just, and prosperous future for the Fairland community, mirroring the county’s long-term priorities, which include a vibrant economy, equity for all residents, and a healthy environment. The master plan boundary consists primarily of property and communities of Fairland and Briggs Chaney along the US 29 Corridor from near Paint Branch on the south to Greencastle Road on the north. The update will examine and provide policies and recommendations on existing and future land uses and zoning, housing inventory and needs, transportation systems, historic preservation opportunities, area park facilities, and the environment. This master plan will take cues from the equity framework in the update to the county’s General Plan, Thrive Montgomery 2050, which describes how places with equitable access to opportunity produce strong, successful communities. Goals of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan include:
- Complete Community: Identify and correct past inequitable development policies to make the Fairland and Briggs Chaney communities more whole and connected by integrating centers of housing, retail, and office development with parks and open space to make 15-minute living a reality for as many people as possible.
- Resilient Economy: Promote economic development and job growth within the plan area and surrounding communities.
- Housing: Promote racial and economic diversity and equity in housing to help rectify past discriminatory housing policies in every neighborhood.
- Arts, Culture and Environment: Support arts and cultural institutions, through parks, open space and environment, recreational programming, and development, to celebrate our diversity, strengthen pride of place, and make the county more attractive and interesting.
- Corridor Growth and Connectivity: Promote and prioritize public and private investment along the Route 29 corridor and neighboring communities to leverage and attract future private investment in community facilities and redevelopment, including a safer, more comfortable network for walking, biking, and rolling that connects the corridor communities.
Featured photo by @DronifyDMV
Below you’ll find a list of restaurants that unfortunately closed in 2021. Please let us know of any restaurants we may have missed.
Angel’s Pizza & Pasta – Wheaton (Wheaton Mall)
Angel’s Pizza & Pasta at Wheaton Mall closed in March. The owners of Baronessa in Rockville opened the restaurant in mid-2019 in the food court of the mall.
They focused on Neapolitan style pizza and pasta dishes, which brought a unique type of cuisine to the food court.
Chef Angel Mendoza is a certified Pizzaiolo, and has spent decades honing his craft at 2Amy’s and RedRocks Pizzeria. You can still have his pizza at Baronessa on East Gude Drive in Rockville, as we were told there are no plans for it to close.
Arby’s – Rockville
The last Arby’s in MoCo, located at 11710 Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, closed in May. Originally it was announced that Shake Shack would be coming to that location but that deal apparently fell through.
Click here to read Twitter’s reaction to the closing of Arby’s.
August 32
August 32 opened its first MoCo location in October of 2019 in the Germantown Town Center. After just under two years, the restaurant had closed permanently. They specialized in “tea, tea drinks, bubble tea, and tea-related products.”
BoBaPop Tea has sine taken over the location.
Batik Dumpling Bar – Gaithersburg (Kentlands)
Batik Dumpling Bar at 200 Main St. in Gaithersburg closed this past June and the location is now home to the Grilled Oyster Company.
“Thank you for 12 wonderful years!
We’re sad to announce that our brick and mortar location is closing after our last service on Saturday, June 12, 2021. We are taking the time to redevelop our brand to deliver Bundles of Joy, our signature dumplings, in a different way. Although we plan on operating in a new capacity, our commitment to you remains unchanged.
We are grateful for the support of the community, especially the warm friendships we’ve made throughout the years. It’s been a pleasure to be a part of so many memorable milestones, such as graduations, Valentine’s Days, bridal showers, birthdays, first dates, baby showers, company holiday parties, and book club gatherings. To us, Batik has always been a home that we shared with our customers and dedicated staff. We will miss you all! But be assured we will be back soon.
In the meantime, stay tuned and connected through our website, Facebook, and Instagram.”
Bangkok Garden – Bethesda
Bangkok Garden at 4906 St Elmo Ave in Bethesda closed on August 29. The Rockville location at 891 Rockville Pike remains open.
Bangkok Garden posted the following message to their Facebook account:
“Bangkok Garden started back in 1984 by two Thai immigrants Visith and Yupin Laohapant who came to America in hopes of being able to share a part of their culture through Thai Food. Fast forward 37 years later Bangkok Garden has been proudly serving the Bethesda community. But today we are sad to announce that we will no longer be a part of this wonderful community and will be shutting down our Bethesda location.
We, the Bangkok Garden family would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the people in the community who have made our journey possible and delightful by supporting Bangkok Garden. We have seen many generations walk through this door and we couldn’t have been more grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Now it is time for us to say goodbye and move on. Our last day serving our customers will be August 29, 2021. We hope that you will continue your support at our Rockville and future locations.
With much gratitude and appreciation,
Bangkok Garden Family“
Bangkok Garden was the runner up in last year’s TasteMoco Best Thai Cuisine tournament.
Bassett’s – Poolesville (Closing December 31)
Bassett’s Fine Food & Spirits in Poolesville (19950 Fisher Ave) announced on its social media that the will cease operations on December 31. The full statement can be seen below:
“To our friends and our community –
Over the past 3 years, we have had the utmost honor of becoming part of the Poolesville community. We have done our best to support this town, and in return we have become part of the incredible family that Poolesville is so well known for.
Like so many other restaurants struggling to survive during the COVID era, we too took a hard hit in more ways than one. We have done our absolute best to keep our doors open, we have fought against all odds, including the closing of Whites Ferry, and we have appreciated all of the support of the community we have gotten. But it is with the heaviest hearts we must announce that as of December 31, 2021, Bassett’s will no longer be in business.
This has not been an easy decision to come to by any means, and we are so sorry for this devastating loss to the community. We truly cannot thank this town enough for the support over the years, and we hope that as time goes on, we will find ourselves living in a time where restaurants like Bassetts have a shot at survival. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, to each and every one of you, for being our friends, our family, our support system, and more. There truly are no words to encompass the sadness we feel making this decision. Thank you, Poolesville. We truly love you all.”
Broadway Pizza – Potomac
Broadway Pizza at 7965 Tuckerman Ln in Potomac (Cabin John Village) has announced that the shopping center has decided not to renew the restaurant’s lease. Cabin John Village is managed by the retail real estate company EDENS, who purchased the center in 2016.
Broadway Pizza’s last day is on Christmas Eve 2021.
Bump ‘n Grind – Silver Spring
Bump ‘n Grind closed its coffee shop / record store at 1200 East-West Highway in Silver Spring on May 26th.
Bump ‘n Grind has since opened a spot at the Silver Spring Library and they can also be found at Moorenko’s Ice Cream at 8030 Georgia Ave.
You can order Bump ‘n Grind coffee at bumpngrind.co
CB Açaí – Olney
CB Açaí at 18062 Georgia Avenue announced in November that they had closed their Olney storefront. They will continue to operate their catering business and food truck.
According to the owner, “CB Açaí still plans on being a major presence in the community along with the great people and partnerships we have formed. Our truck is booked for the month of November, please check out the website to where will be and what’s on the menu! Once again thank you so much for all of the support!”
Chef Tony’s St – Bethesda
Chef Tony’s at 4926 St Elmo Ave in Bethesda had it’s last day of service on May 23rd. The closing did not come as a surprise, as the area is currently being redeveloped into apartment buildings.
The restaurant plans to reopen in a new location. In a letter on their website, the owners wrote, “some time ago, we realized this date was nearing, and we needed to see what other opportunities were out there…and we have been looking and looking at neighboring spots, trying to find the best space that would be suitable to move our business in Bethesda…and we’re happy to say we’ve found it!”
The Chef Tony’s Promenade Restaurant at 5225 Pooks Hill Road remains open.
China Gourmet Bistro – Potomac
China Gourmet Bistro at Cabin John Village (7945 Tuckerman Ln) closed in October.
This was part of the redevelopment of the shopping center that involves creating a new corridor in the middle of the center where the restaurant was located. It is not know at this time if China Gourmet Bistro will be relocating to a new location.
Curry Place – Gaithersburg
Curry Place at 385 Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg permanently closed in October. Grocery store India Bazaar, which is located next door at 383 Muddy Branch Rd, will be expanding into the space formerly occupied by the restaurant.
The Curry Place locations at 12951 Wisteria Dr in Germantown and 11229 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak are still open. The restaurant said they don’t have plans at this time to open another location in Germantown.
Elevation Burger – Potomac
The last Elevation Burger in MoCo, located at 12525 Park Potomac Ave Bldg G in Potomac, closed after 12 years in June.
Elevation Burger specializes in organic burgers and originated out of Falls Church, VA. The company uses 100% organic, grass-fed, free-range beef burgers and cook their fries in olive oil.
The chain also had a location in Germantown that closed in 2012.
Flor De Luna – Rockville
The Peruvian/Tex-Mex restaurant at 11417 Woodglen Drive closed it’s doors after five years in business in July.
“After 5 years since we first opened our doors, it saddens us to inform that this Friday, July 23rd we will be closing our doors permanently.
We would like to thank everyone who visited us and was part of this 5 years project.
We take with us all the wonderful memories and fond moments made with new and old friends alike.
Thank you all for allowing our family be part of yours. God bless”
Fu Lin – Silver Spring
Fu Lin Restaurant, located at 2235 Bel Pre Rd in Silver Spring, closed their doors permanently in February. The restaurant listed the pandemic, as well as the owners retiring, as the reasons.
A staple at the Plaza del Mercado for many years, Fu Lin specialized in family style Cantonese cuisine.
“We are sorry to inform you that we will be closing our doors on Sunday, February 21, 2021 due to Pandemic and owners have decided to finally retire. Thank you all for your many years of support coming to enjoy our Chinese Cantonese Cuisine dining in and carry out.”
Gusto Farm to Street – Bethesda (Montgomey Mall) & Silver Spring
Gusto’s location at 8512 Fenton St. in Downtown Silver Spring and its location in Montgomeru Mall both closed in 2021.
A message on Gusto’s Facebook page read:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Silver Spring community for supporting Gusto Farm to Street since we first opened our doors in 2015,” the Facebook post reads. “We’ve made the difficult decision to close our Silver Spring location given the ongoing challenges COVID-19 has presented us and the restaurant industry at large. We thank our loyal Silver Spring guests again for all of your support over the years! Stay safe and be well.”
Godiva- Montgomery Mall
Gourmet chocolatier Godiva closed all of its 128 U.S. retail stores in 2021, including the one located inside Westfield Montgomery Mall.
The company says its decision is directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. A statement put out by Godiva’s CEO Nurtac Afridi stated, “Our brick-and-mortar locations in North America have had a clear purpose since we first opened our doors in this market, to provide an in-person experience for consumers to enjoy the world’s most exquisite chocolates,” and “We have always been focused on what consumers need and how they want to experience our brand, which is why we have made this decision.”
Haagen Dazs – Bethesda
The Bethesda Row Haagen Dazs closed on July 31. The ice cream shop, which had been there for about a decade, was replaced by a Chaia Tacos pop-up. Chaia currently has two locations in D.C. and is known for vagan tacos.
A few of the taco varieties Chaia serves include braised mushroom, kale & potato, roasted eggplant, and chipotle sweet potato hash. The menu does not feature Impossible/Beyond style meat substitutes.
Haagen Dazs has another MoCo location, also in Bethesda– at Montgomery Mall.
Honey Pig Korean BBQ – Germantown
Honey Pig Korean BBQ at 19727 Frederick Rd #1337 in Germantown closed permanently in November. The Rockville location will remain open.
Signage on the front door reads, “Honey Pig in Germantown will be permanently closing on Monday, November 29th, 2021. Please join us at our Rockville location (12015-G Rockville Pike) Thank you for your loyalty.”
Ichiban Restaurant – Gaithersburg
Ichiban Restaurant at 637 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg closed after over 35 years in business in September. The current owners, which took over in the business in 2005, also own two other local restaurants that will remain open, Aery and Ichiban Mikoshi Sushi, both located inside the LOTTE Market at 221 Muddy Branch Rd Gaithersburg.
The restaurant posted the following message on their website:
“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce today that our beloved Ichiban Restaurant will be closing its doors after 16 years. Ichiban has been in the Gaithersburg community since 1985 and our home since 2005. We are forever grateful and blessed by our community who have been with us since the beginning and our new customers that found us during this pandemic.
We have never felt so much love during the last year from our staff to our patrons and we will always remember how much you have supported us. We will remember the good times. The birthdays, weddings, engagements and the random meet ups you all have had here. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for trusting us in all the events we catered and the kind words that were spread on our behalf.
Though we are not at this location anymore. We are still making good food for this community. Our new restaurants, AERY and ICHIBAN MIKOSHI SUSHI are here to serve you and fulfill your Korean food and Sushi desires. Suzy, the original owner will be around, but Nicole and Jonathan will be heading up these two shops. Come in for a fresh new look and some new menu items.
Our official closing date is September 12, 2021.
Thank you again, fam. See you at our other locations. Stay safe.
xo,
-Suzy, Nicole, Jon and the ICHIBAN team
www.aeryfood.com
www.ichibanmikoshi.com
@aery.food”
Krazy Steve’s – Silver Spring
Krazy Steve’s was the purple restaurant that took over the old location of Armand’s pizza in Silver Spring, at 1909 Seminary Rd, around two years ago.
Krazy Steve told us earlier this year that he hopes to relocate and that they were looking into potential locations in the Rockville area.
The restaurant was owned by MoCo native Stephen Adelson, who also owns multiple Carnivore BBQ food trucks. Krazy Steve’s is described as a “neighborhood joint” that offers bbq, mac-n-cheese, salads, pizza, and more.
Light House Tofu & BBQ – Rockville
Light House Tofu & BBQ on Twinbrook Pkwy in Rockville closed in March after approximately 15 years of being in business.
The restaurant focused on traditional Korean cooking, ranging from BBQ ribs to specialty tofu stews.
Little Caesars Pizza – Briggs Chaney
The Little Caesars Pizza at 13801 Outlet Dr in Briggs Chaneyhas closed in June.
The “hot n ready” pizza chain, which is the third largest in the United States, had multiple Montgomery County locations in the late eighties and early 90’s but all had closed by 1998.
Little Caesars franchises started opening back up in the area in 2010 and currently has MoCo locations in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park. There was a location in Wheaton for several years but that has gone out of business as well.
Lolli & Pops – Bethesda (Montgomery Mall)
Candy and gift store Lolli & Pops closed its location in Montgomery Mall this past April has since been replaced by OFFLINE by Aerie.
According to its website, “OFFLINE by Aerie is activewear for your REAL life! These leggings, sports bras, tops, workout dresses, skirts and more are made for movement. Soft is in our DNA: these pieces are made with the softest, luxe fabrics. OFFLINE is created for real good, too—so we offer pieces made with sustainable fabrics which support causes we care about. Good for you, good for the world!”
Mandalay – Silver Spring
Burmese restaurant Mandalay at 930 Bonifant Street in Silver Spring permanently closed the location on October 31.
The closing of this location had been expected for several years as Mandalay first announced in 2019 that they were moving to a new location in Washington, DC.
Their new location at 7302 Georgia Avenue is expected to open in 2022.
Mandalay posted the following message on their Facebook page on Friday:
“As many things in life at some point things has to come to an end! With hearts full of emotions and sadness we have to announce the bad news about Mandalay!Sad to say that the end of Mandalay at this location will be coming to an end! October 31st will be the end of Mandalay at 930 Bonifant St, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The past 20 years has been nothing short of a blessing for the family and so many things to be thankful for. First and foremost the amazing customers that supported us from day one are actually the reasons we have lasted this long. One of the thing we sure will miss is seeing our regulars come through the place. I want to say so many things and most of it is not coming out! Mandalay has been a big factor and part of the family for so long that adjusting will be very hard! The news is sad but we do have some news is that Mandalay will still live though a few locations in DC! As many of you know the Salads that are produce at Bandoola Bowl ( second location opening soon at 2000 Pennsylvania Ave NW )are the same salads with more salads options ( please go see bandoolabowl.com for details )! Also we will be announcing details about a new Burmese inspired concept that will be opening very soon. Thank you so much for all the support though out the years from the bottom of our hearts.
Mandalay Family“
Mahshad Modern Persian Kitchen – Rockville (King Farm)
Mahshad Modern Persian Kitchen at 404 King Farm Blvd in Rockville closed after less than a year in business. They opened in June 2020, early on in the pandemic, and served “healthy cuisine with a Persian twist”.
The menu featured specialty bowls, in a Chipotle-style assembly line format, with selections like filet mignon, ground beef kabob (kubideh), lamb chops, basmati rice, green frittata, eggplant caviar, and hummus.
McDonald’s – Germantown (Walmart)
The McDonald’s located inside of the Germantown Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd closed in April. It has since been used as a storage area by the store and at one point was used as a COVID-19 testing station. No word on if something will eventually replace it.
Milk & Cheese – Olney
Milk & Cheese at 18050 Georgia Ave in Olney, the former site of Thai Cuisine, closed in November after six months in business. The restaurant featured cheesesteaks, po’ boys, milkshakes, and cheesecakes.
The restaurant was opened by Chef Sammy Davis, a former winner of the show Chopped on the Food Network, who is also behind Milk & Honey, which currently has locations in DC (1245 H St. NE) and Atlanta.
Music Cafe – Damacus
Music Cafe, a restaurant that offers quality crafted sandwiches, gourmet coffee, local craft beer, and live music, closed on December 11 after 15 years in Damascus.
The cafe posted the following message on its Facebook page:
“Well Damascus….It’s been over 15 wonderful years of “Letting the good times Roll”.
Our lease is up, and we’ve decided not to renew, as we do not agree with the new terms, as well as a few other things.
Pre-Covid we were gung-ho. Re-doing the lobby, stage area, artwork, menus, patio, etc.
After almost two years of dealing with repercussions from the Pandemic such as the increase in food cost, as well as labor, and just finding good reliable employees who want to work, we’ve decided to close our doors.
Yes, this has been a very difficult decision for us. The Music Café has been a big part of our lives for many years. We’ve gone through many ups, downs, and crossroads so-to-speak. We’ve learned what to do, and “of course” what not to do. We’ve accumulated so many wonderful memories that will never be erased.
We’ve made so many close friends, and have met so many amazing beautiful people along the way.
We’ve seen many come to the Café for marriage proposals, first dates, funerals, birthdays, showers, etc. We’ve heard much laughter, seen many smiles, and have joined in on shedding tears with many as well. We literally watched our children grow up there. It was a place where they, and many others called home.
Long story short, the Café touched many lives. Especially the lives of myself and my loving wife. Therefore we are grateful, and feel so very blessed to have received the ongoing support, love and prayers that our community has given us over the years. We’d like to thank each and every one of you on this post, but there are literally too many of you. You all know who you are!
I am going to just slip in a very special thank you to my partner in crime..my “again” loving, beautiful and amazing wife Christine Anderson, my amazing children Jordan and Trevor. My one-of a-kind perfect parents who’ve been coming to the Café weekly (almost) and supporting live music and hunger for 15 years straight. Of course the rest of my entire family as well.
We’ll never forget the (oh-so-many) larger events we held. Led Zepplica at the Weinburg Center, Big Funky Blues Festival, County Western Bluegrass Festival, all concerts at Carroll Arts Center, our 10 year anniversary and all tribute concerts, as well as some very large fundraising events for various people in need. Thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for every single musician who has ever stepped foot on that stage, and for every patron who has entered our establishment. We are appreciative and grateful for your contribution.”
Nando’s Peri Peri – Bethesda
Nando’s Peri Peri at 4839 Bethesda Ave had their last day of business on December 18th.
Nando’s is a South African fast-casual chain that specializes in flame-grilled peri-peri style chicken. The restaurant was founded in Johannesburg in 1987, and now operates over 1,200 outlets in 30 countries.
Nando’s has additional MoCo locations in North Bethesda, Wheaton, Silver Spring, and Gaithersburg.
Nick’s Chophouse – Rockville (King Farm)
Nick’s Chophouse, located at 700 King Farm Blvd in Rockville closed at the beginning of the year. Bethesda Beat reported that an email from the restaurant stated the indoor dining ban had made it “impossible for us to continue in business.”
Nick’s Chophouse was a “business casual” steakhouse and lounge that featured an extensive steak and seafood menu.
The restaurant had been at the location since 2001.
Olazzo – Silver Spring
Olazzo at 8235 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring closed on May 1. Olazzo’s Bethesda location at 7921 Norfolk Ave will remain open.
“Just this Fifteen years ago my family decided on our hometown of Silver Spring, Maryland to open the 2nd location of Olazzo.
We would like to take this time to thank all of our loyal friends and customers for the overwhelming support through the years.
It was always a dream of ours to bring our passion and hospitality to the area. Words cannot describe how appreciative we are to the community for allowing us to operate for 15 great years, but it’s time for us to focus on other pursuits and dedicate our passions evenly.
This week will be the last week for operations for Olazzo in Silver Spring. It truly has been a pleasure to serve our local community and feel a part of something great. For those with the understandable cravings of Chicken Cardinale or our homemade meatballs….we are still operating at the original Olazzo in Bethesda. We would love to see you there!”
Papi’s Chicken & Grill – Damascus
Located at 26400 Ridge Rd., Papi’s offered Peruvian chicken and other Peruvian specialties like lomo saltado, and a variety of specialties that included gyros, tacos, lobster rolls, and more. The restaurant had rebranded from “Peruvian Chicken & Grill” in September of 2019.
Patisserie Manuel – Bethesda (Montgomery Mall)
French Bakery Patisserie Manuel, located inside of the Montgomery Mall food court closed it’s doors on March 28th.
Their bakery located at 8810 Brookville Rd in Silver Spring will remain open for pickup and delivery.
The food court location opened in December, 2019.
Chef Claudia wrote, “It is very sad to have to close after years of hard work and effort that we put in to get there, but as many of you know, our business opened a few months before this pandemic began and although we have done the impossible to keep going, our effort has been in vain and COVID has ended up destroying our store.”
Chef Claudia named her bakery in honor of her late father Manuel Olea. His face is in the bakery’s official logo.
Pho Eatery – Gaithersburg
Pho Eatery at 670 Quince Orchard Rd in Gaithersburg, and its sister restaurant Urban Crawfish, both closed in September.
The Vietnamese restaurant was located next to Beers & Cheers Too in the Quince Orchard Shopping Center. No word yet on what could be taking its place.
Roti – N. Bethesda (Pike & Rose)
Roti, a fast casual Mediterranean restaurant, closed their Pike & Rose location in February. Roti’s Pike & Rose location first opened in early 2015, during the first phase of the area’s development.
The Chevy Chase location at 4461 Willard Ave remains open.
Roti is best known for serving customizable pita wraps and bowls with Mediterranean flair. The chain, headquartered in Chicago, currently has two locations in DC that are open at this time.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Bethesda (Closing December 24, 2021)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House at 7315 Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda is scheduled to permanently close on Christmas Eve. The decision to close was made after the restaurant determined the sales volume did not justify the expense of a needed remodel, according to the report.
Ruth’s Chris Downtown Crown location at 106 Crown Park Ave in Gaithersburg, which opened in 2014, will remain in business.
Seibel’s – Burtonsville
Seibel’s Restaurant and UpTown Pub at 15540 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville, served the community for over 82 years before closing its doors on Sunday, November 28th. The announcement was made in a letter to customers by the family who has owned and operated the restaurant since the 60s.
“I pray my message finds all of you, our Seibel’s family, well.
March was the last time I sent a message. It has been 36 years since we served our first Thanksgiving Dinner for our Seibel’s customers. When I first had the idea, my dad thought I was crazy. That first year, we roasted about 20 Turkeys, and now we are serving over 1,500 pounds of Turkey! For me, Thanksgiving was about family first and food second. If I could help our extended Seibel’s family create lasting Thanksgiving memories by keeping them out of the kitchen, I would do it!
We are forever thankful to the Iager Family for raising such wonderful Turkeys for all these years.
It is with sadness that I announce this year, 2021 will be our final Thanksgiving.
If you read the paper or listen to the news, it is no surprise to hear that staffing is challenging and the supply chain is crazy. With that being said, we are asking that you order early this year. We will stop taking orders on Sunday, November 14. We want to be sure that we have all we need to fill your requests.
The pandemic has opened our eyes to so much. There has been sadness, but there have been loads of joy as well. Our new hours enabled us to have quality family time and helped us remember what is important in life. My adventure out west created a sense of wanderlust. There are so many great places in our wonderful country that I want to see!
When Karen and I continued the business from our parents, we decided that it would be a ministry. Our faith in God has not let us down. God saw us through the pandemic and so much more. We are thankful we were able to be here for so many. You, our customers, and our incredible employees have done so much for us. For that, and so much more, we want to say THANK YOU!
After much consideration, we have made the decision to start a new chapter. Sunday, November 28, will be the final day we turn on the burners and open our doors.
There will be many tears and many stories to tell. You have all been a part of raising our families, and we have watched your families grow as well. We are thankful for each and every customer and employee, past and present. All of you have so blessed us. Some days there wasn’t enough family to open the doors, and some days there were way too many. No matter the case, we opened them for you, anyway. And we, of course, never charged extra for the family entertainment! 😊
We are very thankful for our current staff that will see us to the final day; Anita, Angie, Annie, Amelia, Carol, Debbie, George, Jonah, Jones, Katie, Lauren, Lexi, Melissa, Nicolette, Rick, Sharon, Tracey, and Xavier. *Watch for guest visits from past employees and family! *
I know the question will be, “what are you going to do now?” But I’m not sure any of us really know, except Karen, who will go into full retirement. The rest of us will surely let you know when we know. I will certainly keep the emails rolling with any updates. Meanwhile, we will continue to serve you to the best of our ability.
In January, I asked, “What is God saying?” We stopped and listened. The answer:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
With more Love than we could ever express, Lynn, Karen, and all the family- Chad, Casey, Lauren, Scott, Randi Lynn, our mother, Joyce, and of course our father Harry, who may not be with us now but has never stopped guiding us”
Slice of Rockville – Rockville
The popular pizza spot at Woodley Gardens in Rockville (1111 Nelson St.) closed it’s doors in June.
“Dear friends and neighbors, I can’t believe it’s been 11 years since I opened the doors to Slice and you welcomed me into this amazing neighborhood. These years have been some of the best for me with so many of you becoming near and dear to my heart. So it is with an especially heavy heart that I must say goodbye. Slice will remain open through June 25th so please make sure to come and say goodbye. I want to say goodbye and thank you to each and every one of you who has helped make Slice the amazing place it has been. I hope you will give the new owners the same chance and welcome them like you did me. Thank you again for your patronage, support and friendship. Truly, it has meant the world to me.”
Spice Xing – Rockville
Spice Xing closed it’s door early this fall.
Kumbia, a South American restaurant focusing on cuisine from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador, is coming to 100 B Gibbs Street in Rockville Town Square, in the location.
Signage is now up in the window, as the restaurant is expected to open this winter.
Quizno’s – Bethesda
Quiznos in Bethesda closed in April, leaving the Rockville location at 1611 East Gude Drive as MoCo’s last remaining Quiznos.
Many Quiznos locations closed across the country when the company filed for bankruptcy back in 2014.
Sbarro – Gaithersburg (Lakeforest Mall)
Sbarro, one of the few remaining restaurants at the “Cafe’s in the Forest” food court at Lakeforest mall closed in July.
This leaves only Charlie’s Cheesesteaks and Kelly’s Cajun Grill open in the food court. Pollo Campero and Nori Japan both remain open at Lakeforest but are not technically inside the food court.
Longtime visitors of Lakeforest will remember that Sbarro’s originally had a location on the upper level of the mall in the 1990’s, before the food court existed.
Sugo – Potomac
At the end of July, Sugo Pizza at 12505 Park Potomac Ave in Potomac posted signage on its doors announcing that they would be closed for a remodel/renovations. In August, the restaurant announced that is was closing permanently.
Sugo specialized in wood fired oven pizza and pasta dishes.
Tandoori Nights – Bethesda
Tandoori Nights at located at 7236 Woodmont Ave in Bethesda closed in March and has since been replaced by furniture store Room & Board .
The original location at 106 Market St. in Gaithersburg, remains open.
Tandoori Nights specializes in North Indian Cuisine and its Gaithersburg location has been a staple in the Kentlands for over 20 years. The Bethesda location location opened back in 2010.
In July 2020, Tandoori Nights won the TasteMoCo tournament for best Indian cuisine in Montgomery County.
TTT – Silver Spring
TTT (Tacos, Tortas, and Tequila) at 8407 Ramsey Ave in Silver Spring closed on November 29.
The location was previously split between TTT and Mexican sit-down restaurant Buena Vida, which were both owned by the same hospitality group (Street Guys Hospitality). Buena Vida closed in August, 2020 and TTT took over the remaining portion as a way of offering more delivery and carryout options, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owner Ivan Iricanin told Washingtonian Magazine that Buena Vide/TTT had struggled ever since Discovery left Downstown Silver Spring in 2018, saying “Our lunch and happy hour was all Discovery. We had that loss, which was hard to recover, and then we got Covid. And now we have some expansion plans and I needed to narrow my focus”.
Urban BBQ – Rockville
The last Urban BBQ in Moco, at 5566 Norbeck Rd, closed in October. The restaurant posted the following message on their social media:
“Our lease has come to an end and after thoughtful consideration we have decided to not renew. We’ve enjoyed being your local BBQ joint for almost 20 years. We want to thank you for your passionate support and all of the fond memories.
We will be officially closing Sunday, October 3rd until food runs out! Come grab your last Soul Roll or Pulled Pork Sandwich. “Every new beginning comes from some other’s beginnings end”- Semisonic”
Urban Crawfish – Gaithersburg
Urban Crawfish at 674 Quince Orchard Rd closed in September after five years in business. Urban Crawfish described itself as being, “all about seafood the traditions of New Orlean’s seasons. CRAWFISH, CRAB, SHRIMP and OYSTERS.”
Urban Plates – Bethesda (Montgomery Mall)
Urban Plates in Montgomery Mall closed after almost two and a half years in the location. The Southern California-based assembly line style fast casual restaurant took over the Naples Ristorante location in the mall’s food court and opened in March of 2019.
Nearby locations in Columbia and Tyson’s Corner have also closed.
Vie de France – Rockville
Vie De France in Rockville Town Square closed permanently on October 23. The bakery had been in Rockville Town Square for approximately ten years.
The French bakery chain, owned by Yamazaki Baking of Chiyoda, Japan with its US division headquartered in Tyson’s Corner, said they would be “moving operations to their other locations in White Flint and Potomac.”
VÜK -Bethesda
VÜK, the pinball arcade and pizza parlor at 4924 St Elmo Ave in Bethesda, closed in May. Similar to Chef Tony’s, the arcade’s five year lease is came to an end and construction will soon begin on a new high-rise apartment complex that will be replacing VÜK and the surrounding building.
A message on their Facebook stated, “VUK’s last day open is Sunday, May 16th. Our 5 year lease ends- and the bulldozers are coming to make way for a high rise apartment building. Our Cylon, pizza recipes, autographed Slayer setlist, Warriors poster, LOTR sword, various skulls, etc. will lay dormant in storage until further notice. Games will be disbursed to MOM’s College Park & MOM’s Abington, PA. It has been a pleasure- a wonderful experiment- and we’ll post a farewell message here later…”
VÜK was opened by MOM’s Organic Market CEO Scott Nash back in 2016.
Wildwood Kitchen – Bethesda
Wildwood Kitchen at 10223 Old Georgetown Rd in Bethesda announced in June that their lease had ended in the Shops at Wildwood center and are looking to relocate the restaurant.
Wildwood Kitchen was opened by Robert Wiedamier and RW Restaurant Group back in 2012. RW Restaurant Group also owns Marcel’s by Robert Wiedamier in DC, Mussel Bar & Grille in Arlington and Bethesda, Lock 72 in Potomac and Keystone Korner Baltimore.
The restaurant posted the following message on their social media accounts on July 6:
“Wildwood Kitchen is temporarily closed as we’ve ended our lease at the Shops at Wildwood. The RW Restaurant Group is looking for another location that is larger and located in the local area. Thank you for all of your support since opening in November, 2012 and we will be in touch when we find a new home.”
This morning we were told by a reliable source that Chipotle would be moving in to the recently closed Little Caesars location in the Briggs Chaney MarketPlace shopping center.
Little Caesars closed the Briggs Location early this past summer and many local residents have wondered what would be taking its place. We are told the location would be a walk-up/drive-thru only Chipotle, which isn’t common in the area.
This move hasn’t been confirmed, as Saul Centers has told us that they cannot provide us with any information on this potential move at the moment.
Adarash Market moved into the shopping center in the spring and two new restaurants, Island Cuizine and Karen’s Seafood, moved into the shopping center just over a year ago.
Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.
9/18 Update: The Briggs Chaney Popeyes is Now Open
Back in November 2020 we let you know that Popeyes will be taking over the old Pizza Hut location in the Briggs Chaney shopping center (13886 Old Columbia Pike).
The old Pizza Hut was demolished and cleared back in March and construction on the new building started soon after. No opening date, but we would not be surprised to see an early fall opening.
The photos below, by Dave Golden (founder of the Burtonsville 2.0 Facebook page), show a lot of recent progress.
Popeyes has recently expanded within MoCo, recently opening up a location in the Kentlands and planning to open a new location in Downtown Silver Spring (construction has recently started there too).
The Briggs Chaney shopping center is an interesting selection for the fried chicken chain, as local chain Hip Hop Fish & Chicken arrived at the same shopping center over a year ago.
Progress at Popeyes in Briggs Chaney
Back in November 2020 we let you know that Popeyes will be taking over the old Pizza Hut location in the Briggs Chaney shopping center (13886 Old Columbia Pike).
The old Pizza Hut was demolished and cleared back in March. The photos below show the recently erected frame of the new Popeyes. We expect the restaurant to continue to make progress over the summer and could possibly be ready to open in the last quarter of the year.
Popeyes has recently expanded within MoCo, recently opening up a location in the Kentlands and planning to open a new location in Downtown Silver Spring.
The Briggs Chaney shopping center is an interesting selection for the fried chicken chain, as local chain Hip Hop Fish & Chicken arrived at the same shopping center over a year ago.
