Montgomery Planning staff presented big ideas to inform the recommendations for the plan’s working draft
Per Montgomery Planning:
The Montgomery County Planning Department briefed the Montgomery County Planning Board on the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan, which will envision the next 20 years of Silver Spring, during its July 29 meeting. The presentation included big ideas that will inform the recommendations for the plan’s working draft to be finalized this fall.
The ideas Montgomery Planning staff presented to the Planning Board focused on four major themes—diversity, resiliency, connectivity, and community health. Equity will also be an important part of the plan, with all recommendations to be written through an equity lens to carefully consider each recommendation’s impact. These themes emerged from engagement with stakeholders over the past year, including a series of online workshops last spring during the plan’s Visioning Phase. During these workshops, Planning staff presented the community with a set of challenges and opportunities and asked the community for their feedback. Roughly 150 people participated in these events and the team received over 500 comments on an interactive, online map of the plan area.
“The Silver Spring community has been very passionate and engaged with helping us shape what the area will look like over the next 20 years,” said Planning Director Gwen Wright. “We are proud to have heard from so many community members, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This really speaks to the themes of resiliency, connectivity and diversity of Silver Spring.”
Planning staff told the Planning Board they will tailor their plan recommendations to seven districts. These include South Silver Spring, Falklands District, Downtown North, Metro Center, Ripley District, Fenton Village and Adjacent Communities. As the team develops the working draft, there will be both area-wide and district-specific recommendations.
During the briefing, Planning staff discussed the idea of establishing a public realm “Green Loop” that would connect the districts via a complete streetscape. They said this would be more comfortable for pedestrians and bikers and would enhance the experience of moving around downtown Silver Spring for residents, workers, and visitors. It would also strengthen the existing parks and open space network while also improving tree cover and stormwater management facilities along key local streets in the plan. This concept supports the plan themes of equity and diversity, connectivity, community health, and resiliency.
The team’s other preliminary ideas include new zoning tools that would help to encourage development of parcels that are currently under‐utilized, providing support for independent businesses as well as the arts and entertainment district and a concept plan for Jesup Blair Park.
Planning staff will now continue to develop these ideas based on the Planning Board’s feedback. They will present the working draft of the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan to the community and to the Planning Board in the fall.
The Angry Jerk Will Have a Soft Opening This Wednesday, 7/14/21
Early last month it was reported that the Angry Jerk is coming to 8223 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, the former location of the Big Greek Café (Big Greek Cafe in Downtown Silver Spring recently moved about 300 feet down Georgia Avenue to the location that was home to Fat Fingers– 8213 Georgia Avenue).
The Carribean restaurant’s social media announced a soft opening this coming Wednesday, 7/14/21. They will serve “authentic Caribbean cuisine.”
Source of the Spring reports that the restaurant is owned by Jason Miskiri, the founder of Society Restaurant and Lounge.
Quarry House Tavern Reopens Tonight in Silver Spring
Yesterday we wrote about the fun marketing campaign that was teasing the reopening of The Quarry House Tavern in Downtown Silver Spring (8401 Georgia Avenue).
Around 12:30pm this afternoon, the legendary bar and restaurant announced that it will be reopening tonight at 5pm.
Below you’ll see the announcement, mentioning a few restrictions as they ease back into the basement post-covid.
”…aaaaand we’re back.
QHT will be open at 5pm TONIGHT
💥 Please note 💥 we are easing ourselves back into the basement post-covid with a few restrictions during this initial period:
▪️ capacity will be reduced a bit (fewer tables to enable greater space between them).
▪️ when we reach capacity, we will add your name to a waitlist, and text you when a table or bar seat opens up.
▪️ the bar will be limited to seated guests.
▪️ our staff will wear masks for a couple weeks, but guests need not wear them (at your discretion).
▪️ we’ll be closing at 1:00am to start.
We can’t wait to see you, and hope you’ll feel comfortable being back inside with us–we are THRILLED to serve you burgers and beer!
🍔 Note: we have mostly new staff -and they are wonderful! It may take us a few weeks to learn the entire beer and whiskey lists; your patience is appreciated!!
🍔 Please welcome *back* Baback (GM) and Paul (bar manager), old-school Quarry staff who have returned to run the joint.
It’s gonna be just like old times.”
Both MoCo Dave & Busters Locations Reopen Gamerooms
Dave & Busters at 9811 Washingtonian Blvd. in Gaithersburg and 8661 Colesville Rd. in Silver Spring have both reopened their gamerooms after being closed for over a year.
We are told this change was made a couple weeks back.
Back in February, both locations opened the restaurant side of the operation for dine in and carryout service only.
Both location are open 7 days a week from noon until 11pm.
4/15 Update: An employee of the Arlington location has told us that the Downtown Silver Spring reopening has been delayed approximately two weeks.
Kaldi’s Social House to Reopen Tomorrow (Thursday, 4/15/21)
Kaldi’s Social House in Downtown Silver Spring has been closed for remodeling, but will reopen tomorrow, according to a post on its social media.
The remodeling will include “the roof raised and enclosed, replacing the louvered roof that was in place, with soundproofing and insulation partly due to Thayer and Spring apartment residents being unhappy with the noise coming from the rooftop,” according to Source of the Spring.
Kaldi’s, which is located on 918 Silver Spring Ave., is a popular coffee house that also serves food and alcohol in its two locations (second location in Arlington).
Below you’ll see a couple rendering of the new enclosed roof, courtesy of Kaldi’s website. In addition to the remodeling, the restaurant will also be returning with a brand new menu.
Flip’d by IHOP is Coming to Downtown Silver Spring
IHOP’s new concept, Flip’d by IHOP, will be taking over the old Asian Bistro Cafe location at 8537 Georgia Avenue between Panera and Red Lobster, according to the PetersonCos website.
Asian Bistro Cafe closed just over 5 years ago and the space has remained vacant ever since.
Back in December of 2019, IHOP® Restaurants announced plans to launch Flip’d by IHOP™, a new fast-casual concept in the U.S.– the new brand would aim to fill a gap in the restaurant space by focusing on freshly-made breakfast foods and beverages with speed and convenience in mind, directly addressing a growing consumer demand in densely populated city centers.
Popular lunch and dinner items, including the brand’s Ultimate Steakburgers and Buttermilk Crispy Chicken will also be available.
“In looking at what exists today in terms of fresh, fast menu options — particularly at breakfast — there’s still tremendous opportunity for growth,” said Jay Johns, President of IHOP. “After talking extensively with consumers in large cities across the country, we designed Flip’d by IHOP to deliver on what folks told us they want and need from a trusted brand like IHOP in a fast-casual setting, putting an emphasis on quality ingredients, speed, to-go and delivery.”
“Today, millions of Americans are settling for sub-par breakfast foods that are either microwaved or have been sitting under a heat lamp because they’re forced to grab something while at their usual coffee spot,” continued Johns. “With Flip’d by IHOP, guests don’t have to compromise – now they can get freshly-made, all-day menu items like Pancake Bowls and Egg Sandwiches along with a hand-crafted espresso beverage for a good price and in a matter of minutes.”
Other items on the Flip’d by IHOP menu include:
- A Build Your Own Pancake Bar with a choice of made-in-house pancakes or oatmeal as a base and a variety of mix-ins and toppings from the Top It Off bar, such as fresh blueberries, strawberries, and pineapple; fruit compotes; chocolate chips; caramel sauce and more
- Egg combos with choice of breakfast meats and an assortment of Egg Sandwiches made with two scrambled eggs and premium toppings on a toasted Brioche bun
- A variety of made-to-order breakfast burritos and bowls with options like the Bacon Temptation with two eggs, hickory-smoked bacon, roasted tomatoes and queso over crispy breakfast potatoes, or The Garden with baby arugula, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes and avocado cream sauce over crispy breakfast potatoes.
- Ultimate Sandwiches with choice of an all-natural Black Angus Steakburger, Buttermilk Crispy Chicken from all-natural breast meat, or grilled chicken breast.
- Freshly-squeezed orange juice, Signature Coffee Brews, including Nitro and specialty espresso beverages
- Grab-and-go salads and wraps, freshly-baked goods and more
Flip’d by IHOP is different than the sit-down experience guests have come to expect and enjoy at IHOP for more than 60 years. Upon entering Flip’d, visitors can order from a digital kiosk or directly at the counter. Guests will also be able to order their food online in advance and pick-up their items from a designated to-go area or have it delivered. Catering will also be available with guests choosing large servings of Build Your Own Pancake Bowls, breakfast sandwiches, a Burger Bar and more.
New restaurant development is one of three key strategic initiatives in IHOP’s aggressive growth plan, which also includes to-go and lunch/dinner expansion as major areas of focus. Currently there are more than 1,700 IHOP restaurants in the U.S. and another 100+ IHOP restaurants globally. Flip’d by IHOP will be a stand-alone brand within the IHOP portfolio.
The Eleanor Reopens Today in Downtown Silver Spring
The Eleanor, located at 931 Ellsworth Ave in Downtown Silver Spring will be reopening today, Thursday, April 1st at 3pm.
The Eleanor is bar/bowling lounge that features casual dining, happy hour, mini bowling and skee ball. It first opened in late February of 2020, less than a month before Covid restrictions were put in place in the county.
Per The Eleanor:
“Our doors re-open at 3pm today!!! 🎉🎉
Come see us for food, drinks, arcade games & bowling 🍔🍸🎮🎳
Details:
➖ Open 3-10pm Wednesday-Sunday
➖ Happy hour is 4-7pm daily
➖ Dine-in, patio service, takeout & delivery available
➖ Brunch coming soon!
Reservations aren’t required but they are encouraged! CALL US AT (240) 641-4955 TO BOOK A TABLE!”
The restaurant/bowling lounge has been closed for “winter break” since December 20th.
