Ceylon House (4009 Sandy Spring Rd, Burtonsville), a first-of-its-kind cannabis lounge in Maryland, will hold its grand opening next Saturday, March 4.  Ceylon House describes itself as an inclusive space for cannabis enthusiasts that is inspired by the tea houses in Sri Lanka. According to its website, “Only Registered Maryland Medical Patients that are older than 21 are allowed to enter for open lounge consumption and public events. Please bring with you your Patient ID number, Government-issued photo ID, and medical cannabis in its original packaging with your patient label still attached.”  Ceylon House does not sell cannabis, but there is a dispensary located directly across from the lounge.

The entry fee for two hours of lounge use is $25. Ceylon House does not serve food or beverages, but vending machines are accesible and customers are able to bring their own food into the lounge. Alcohol and tobacco consumption is prohibited.


Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a fire around 3pm on Sunday afternoon in Burtonsville.  According to Chief Spokesperson for MCFRS Pete Piringer, firefighters responded to the report of a boat on fire in the rear of a garage in the 15500 block of Santini Rd. The fire was knocked down and there was no extension. The garage contained one boat and one RV motorhome. One civilian was evaluated for injury. The cause of the fire has not been released. We will post an update if additional information becomes available.

Per @mcfrsPIO on Twitter: “Update – Santini Road, fire/smoke showing upon arrival, (Bass) boat on fire in rear of garage, no extension to garage, fire knocked down, otherwise garage contains a boat & RV motorhome, 1 civilian injury MCFRS_EMIHS evaluating”


We previously let you know that Barra Brava Cevicheria Peruana is “coming soon” to the location that was previously home to Old Hickory Grill at 15420 Old Columbia Pike B in Burtonsville. Signage is now up at the restaurant. Barra Brava opened its first location at 15921 N Frederick Rd in Rockville in October of 2017.  The restaurant hopes to open in a few months.

The menu consists of seafood entrees, a variety of ceviches, non-seafood entrees like lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and more. We’ll have a specific opening timeframe/date in the coming months. Photos of some of the dishes available at the Rockville location can be seen below:


Barra Brava Cevicheria Peruana is “coming soon” according to signage on the location that was previously home to Old Hickory Grill at 15420 Old Columbia Pike B in Burtonsville. The restaurant opened its first location at 15921 N Frederick Rd in Rockville in October of 2017.  The restaurant hopes to open in a few months.

The menu consists of seafood entrees, a variety of ceviches, non-seafood entrees like lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and more. We spoke with a representative from the Rockville location today who told us that they didn’t have an opening date for the upcoming Burtonsville location yet. We’ll have an update with additional information as soon as it’s available. Photos of some of the dishes available at the Rockville location can be seen below:


Ricardo Hernandez, assistant principal at Paint Branch High School has been awarded the State of Maryland Secondary School Assistant Principal of the Year. He will go on to represent the state of Maryland in the national competition.

Earlier this week, Kingsview Middle School counselor Katie Mendelson was named Maryland State Middle School Counselor of the Year. She was surprised with the news on Feb, 6, the first day of National School Counselor Week, during an announcement at the school. Watch the surprise here.


Last month, Montgomery County’s Planning Board approved (with conditions) the site plan that contains an amendment to allow for redeveloping the Burtonsville Shopping Center by demolishing 7,600 square feet of existing retail uses and relocating that retail square footage into two new pad sites with drive-thrus including improvements to open space, landscaping, lighting, and pedestrian circulation (site plan available below). According to a report by Maryland Newsletters, EDENS has officially received the permit to complete $2 million in renovation and facade work at the shopping center. In June it was announced that a lease has been signed by the Phoenix-based company Sprouts Farmers Market in what is seen as the first critical step to kick start the revitalization of a once thriving retail area. It will also be the grocery chain’s first store in Montgomery County. “We are excited to partner with Sprouts on bringing a unique grocery experience to Burtonsville,” said David Germakian, Managing Director, EDENS. Additional information below, courtesy of Montgomery Planning:

The Applicant proposes to redevelop 6.90 acres of the existing shopping center by demolishing a 7,600 square foot area in the center of the existing shopping center to create a community gathering space (seen in our feature photo). This 7,600 square feet of demolished commercial space in the center of the existing shopping center will be reallocated to two new free standing pad sites with new drive-thru accessory uses on the front of the Property for Retail/Service Establishment or Restaurant uses. Separately from this Site Plan Amendment, the Applicant intends to make façade improvements to the existing buildings to enhance the aesthetics of the shopping center. These interim improvements are not subject to review as part of this Site Plan because they are outside the boundary of the amendment area. Additionally, Site Plan 819851040 approved in 1985 did not include any approved architectural drawings or conditions relating to architectural or building design. As a result, moving forward with façade and exterior building improvements is not a violation of any previous approval.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 3rd District Investigative Section are investigating a Burtonsville commercial burglary. Detectives have released surveillance video of the suspect and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying him.

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, at approximately 3:05 p.m., 3rd District officers responded to the SiteOne Landscaping Supply store in the 4100 block of Sandy Spring Rd., for the report of a burglary that occurred earlier.


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Special Victims Investigations Division (SVID) are asking for the public’s assistance in locating, Isabella Pehoua, a 16-year-old from Burtonsville. Pehoua was last seen on Thursday, January 12, 2023, in the 2900 block of Cabin Creek Drive.

Pehoua is approximately 5-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs 164 pounds. She has auburn hair, brown eyes and a piercing in her nose. It is unknown what clothing she was last seen wearing. Police and family are concerned for her welfare.


Police responded to reports of shots fired on Wednesday evening in Burtonsville.  According to Montgomery County Police, “At approximately 7:40 p.m., MCP officers responded to a residence on McKnew Rd. and determined that a round struck the residence.” There were no injuries reported and there is no information available regarding the suspect(s).

Per Public Safety Reporter Cordell Pugh on Twitter: “SHOTS FIRED IN BURTONSVILLE: McKnew Road near Pine Top Lane. (Burtonsville/Montgomery County, MD). ~7:20PM, shots fired in the area. Montgomery County Police notified ~7:40PM. Responding Officers found shell casings and at least 1 nearby residence struck by gunfire.”


Per the Aubuchon Company: Craig Zimmerman, James Dillon, Ronald Zimmerman, and Gary Zimmerman have agreed to sell Zimmerman’s Hardware in Burtonsville, MD to the Aubuchon Company, the oldest and largest family-owned hardware store chain in America. Following the closing early this year, the Aubuchon Company will operate 111 stores in 9 states.

“Since 1985, Zimmerman’s in Burtonsville has been a destination for customers in Montgomery, Howard, and Prince George counties,” said William E. Aubuchon, IV, President & CEO. “I admire their strong offering of hardware, decking, and power equipment, but what really stands out is their long-standing commitment to the absolute best customer service.”


Per MCPD: Detectives from the Montgomery County Department of Police – Major Crimes Division continue to investigate a series of bank robberies that began on January 18, 2022. Detectives have released surveillance photos and are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the male suspect believed to be responsible for four bank robberies in Montgomery County.

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 3rd District officers responded to the Sandy Spring Bank, located in the 3500 block of Spencerville Road in Burtonsville, for a bank robbery that just occurred. The preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 3:18 p.m., the male suspect entered the bank and approached the teller window. Once at the window, the suspect slid a note to the teller, announcing the robbery and demanding money. The teller complied and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect left the bank in an unknown direction.


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