Per MCPD:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 5, 2022
The Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA) and Grandview Circle of Opportunities will join with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Impact Silver Spring and other organizations for the return of the Glenmont Forest Community Block Party from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 10. This year’s event also will celebrate the Glenmont Forest Community Park’s new playground, pavilion and other added amenities.
The new park and pavilion is located at the corner of Randolph Road and Georgia Avenue adjacent to Fire Station No. 18 in Wheaton-Glenmont. There is no charge to attend the block party.
GFNCA block parties celebrate the community’s diversity, local arts and the environment. The annual community block party has not been held the previous two years due to the COVID-19 health crisis. All current health regulations will be observed at this year’s block party.
This year’s party with have three special highlights:
- Creation of the Gathering Tree Public Art project by local artists Sandra Perez-Ramos and Stuart Diekmeyer. The project is funded by a grant from Maryland State Arts Council.
- Dedication of the completed DEP Green Streets project and Clean Water Montgomery campaign launch.
- Announcement of the new grant-funded community gardens with Impact Silver Spring.
The block party will feature local vendors; displays of nonprofits; artisans; informational booths from local, State and Federal officials; project grant funders; County departments; and lively entertainment. There will be games, fun and family activities including moon bounces.
For more information and to view the event flyer, contact [email protected] or visit https://gfnca.org.
The event will take place rain or shine.
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Tacos Don Perez at 12321 Georgia Avenue in the Glenmont Shopping Center is currently in the final four of DC101’s Taco Tournament to determine the best tacos in the DMV.
Tacos Don Perez started off as a small, family-run catering business back in 2017. It continued that way until may 2020, when it became a once-a-week home-based pop-up when the family was left without work due to Covid-19.
The pop-up quickly gained support from the local community, as Tacos Don Perez sold out in a matter of hours every single week. With the support of their customers, the family was able to buy and custom build their own food truck.
The truck opened 6 days a week starting in April 2021 and was featured in a Washington Post article on birria tacos across the DMV.
The family’s dream is to one day expand and open their own restaurant, but will continue to proudly serve the community with their brand new trailer until that dream is realized.
Tacos Don Perez is currently up against Tacos A La Madre (College Park) in their bracket of the tournament.
You can cast your vote at www.dc101.com/taco
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbqKYaLq8V2/
Per MCPD:
For Immediate Release: Friday, March 25, 2022
Gaithersburg, MD – Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police- 4th District Community Action Team (DCAT) have arrested and charged 23-year-old Raycoldo Brandon Jr. of Washington DC, for possessing controlled dangerous substances and a firearm.
On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at approximately 10 p.m., officers were patrolling the Glenmont Shopping Center when they observed a white 2014 Mercedes Benz with expired registration and conducted a traffic stop. Officers approached the vehicle and smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver of the Mercedes Benz was identified as Raycoldo Brandon Jr, of Washington D.C. A search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and oxycodone. The search also revealed a Ruger AR556 pistol, which was converted to fire 9 mm rounds, and an extended magazine.
Brandon, Jr. was arrested and transported to the Central Processing Unit, where he has been charged with multiple firearm related charges and possession of controlled dangerous substances.
This is an active and ongoing investigation.
Raycoldo Brandon, Jr. (Original Image)
A Korean corn dog company called “Kong Dog” is set to open up soon at the Glenmont Shopping Center (12335-H Georgia Avenue).
The Korean corn dog restaurant has been opening up shop across the country and has chosen Glenmont as its first Maryland and MoCo location. It will be taking over the storefront that was previously home to El Encanto, next to Subway.
The menu can be seen on the restaurant’s website, and offers unique corn dog combinations that include churro kong dogs, rainbow kong dogs (made with what looks to be Fruity Pebbles), ramen kong dogs, and a lot more.
Construction is just beginning, but permanent signage is already up and the restaurant hopes to open in a few month.
Tacos Don Perez started off as a small, family-run catering business back in 2017. It continued that way until may 2020, when it became a once-a-week home-based pop-up when the family was left without work due to Covid-19. The pop-up quickly gained support from the local community, as Tacos Don Perez sold out in a matter of hours every single week. With the support of their customers, the family was able to buy and custom build their own food truck, which is now located in the Glenmont shopping center.
The truck opened 6 days a week starting in April 2021 and was featured in a Washington Post article on birria tacos across the DMV. Now the family is preparing to open what they’re touting as “the biggest food trailer in Montgomery County.” On Saturday, March 19th they will be hosting a celebration that will include games, giveaways, and music.
The family’s dream is to one day expand and open their own restaurant, but will continue to proudly serve the community with their brand new trailer until that dream is realized.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CS9-NNBlSDh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Ruffles of London, a hair salon that has been located in the Glenmont Shopping Center for nearly 30 years, has closed its doors.
Sylvia Michael opened her first salon in Kensington in 1984 after previously owning a salon in London, England. She worked alongside her sister Eva Georgiou, also a stylist, who assisted in managing the location.
A massive fire in the shopping center caused them to move to Wheaton Triangle, where they stayed for 8 years. In 1994, a flood in that salon forced them to move once more, this time to Glenmont, where they stayed until today.
Sylvia made the decision to retire, and the stylists will continue to work at various places in the county. They shared with us that they were fortunate to have many clients who have supported them through it all. “We had a good run.” Sylvia told us.
Starbucks is moving in to the Glenmont Shopping Center, taking over the location what was previously home to Capital One and a Chevy Chase banks (2315 Randolph Road).
The 2,800+ square foot building was built in 1998 and had been available for sale for months. A couple weeks ago Starbucks put up a “coming soon” banner, and construction at the building has already started (see photos below).
Currently, the closest Starbucks to the Glenmont Shopping Center is almost 2 miles away at Plaza Del Mercado with the next closest being in Downtown Wheaton.
No timeframe has been provided regarding a possible opening date, but there is plenty of construction left to go.
Two Adults Displaced After Major Glenmont House Fire
Around 11:50 PM Monday night, Montgomery County career and volunteer Firefighters responded to the 2700 block of Munson Street in Glenmont for a reported house fire.
Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions throughout the home, and faced additional challenges because of excessive clutter inside and power lines that fell in the yard of the burning house. Around 75 firefighters responded to the scene.
Initially, one resident was unaccounted for, but was later located safely outside of their burning home. They were evaluated by Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics but fortunately had no serious injury.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the cause of the fire was still undetermined, according to Pete Piringer, Chief Spokesperson for the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service. Piringer tweeted that the fire originated in the kitchen area of the home, and caused around $525,000 in damage.
Update on Glenmont Lidl
A little over a year ago, we let you know that Lidl would be taking over the old Shoppers location in Glenmont.
In the summer, when construction began, we were told to expect a March opening and our peek inside this week showed that things look to be on track (photos below).
Back in August, Governor Larry Hogan announced today that Lidl US, America’s fastest growing retailer, will open 10 new stores and add 400 jobs in Maryland by the end of 2021, more than doubling its footprint in the state.
Similar to Aldi, Lidl is a discount international grocery store that is based out of Germany.
The first MoCo location opened on December 9th in Takoma Park and the Glenmont and Montgomery Village locations will follow.
According to the Montgomery Village Foundation website, the MV location is expected to open in March 2021, but it doesn’t look to be on pace to make it.
