Council Approves Executive Order Banning Indoor Dining at 5 p.m. Today

The County Council today approved County Executive Marc Elrich’s Executive Order 139-20AM2 that eliminates indoor dining and provides other restrictions, effective at 5 p.m. today (Dec. 15). Outdoor dining, carry-out, delivery and drive-through food service may continue, though outdoor dining is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under an existing order from Gov. Larry Hogan.

Indoor Dining to be Eliminated Next Week Under New Executive Order

Indoor dining at restaurants would be eliminated under the terms of a new executive order issued yesterday by County Executive Marc Elrich. Executive Order 139-20 would still permit outdoor dining, carry out, delivery and drive-through food service. Outdoor service is not permitted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. under an existing order from Governor Larry Hogan.

County Groups Launch Online Marketplace, Issue Holiday Challenge

Three county organizations have issued the MoCo Holiday Challenge, part of the launch of a new online directory of local business, dining and shopping information, according to a press release from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation. The site, MoCo Marketplace, is a partnership between MCEDC, the Montgomery County Food Council’s MoCo Made and Visit Montgomery.

Lidl to Hold Grand Opening of Takoma Park Store Wednesday

Lidl will hold a grand opening of a new store in Takoma Park on Wednesday, Dec. 9, according to the company’s website. The operators will cut the ribbon at 7:15 a.m. at its location on 6881 New Hampshire Ave., the former home of a Shoppers Food Warehouse. The doors will open at 8 a.m. and the first 100 customers will receive a gift card worth anywhere from $5 to $100 each.

Guitar Center Plans to File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

California-based Guitar Center plans to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to the company. The plan was revealed as part of a press release announcing a Restructuring Support Agreement with creditors that includes a new $165 million equity investment. The company operates about 300 stores across the country, including seven in the Washington, D.C. area.

County Council Approves Executive Order Imposing Capacity Restrictions

The County Council yesterday approved Executive Order 122-20 from County Executive Marc Elrich that places restrictions on the number of people who can gather at various types of events, as well as be served indoors at restaurants and retailers. “We have been watching the daily number of new cases go up for more than two weeks and it’s unfortunately time to roll back some of our reopening steps in order to decrease the spike we are seeing,” said Elrich.

Hoover-Fisher Florists to Move from Four Corners to Kensington

Hoover-Fisher Florist, a Four Corners mainstay since the 1960s, will move to a new location in Kensington in January, 2021, according to an email to customers. The family-owned retailer was founded in 1954 and later moved into a two-story addition to the Woodmoor Shopping Center at the intersection of Colesville Road and University Boulevard.

Demolition of 8787 Georgia Avenue to Begin by End of Year

Demolition of 8787 Georgia Ave., the former home of the county’s Planning Department, is slated to begin by the end of the year in preparation for a 2021 groundbreaking of the redevelopment of the property. The county chose partners Bozzuto and StonebridgeCarras in 2013 for a two-part redevelopment effort, according to Devon Hastie, development manager for Bozzuto. The first part, construction of a new office building for the county in Wheaton, has been completed.