Demolition of 8787 Georgia Avenue to Begin by End of Year

| at 11:02 am | Categories Silver Spring

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.

Snider’s Sold to Local Group of Food Market Operators

| at 1:50 pm | Categories Silver Spring

Snider’s Super Foods in Montgomery Hills has been sold to a locally based group of small food markets, according to Terry Sweet, one of Snider’s managers. The purchasers operate Streets Market & Café, based in Washington, D.C. The company opened its first store in 2014 and currently operates nine locations in the District, Baltimore, Arlington and Alexandria, Va.

Next Day Blinds Ceases Operations, Closes Stores

| at 1:13 pm | Categories Silver Spring

Next Day Blinds, based in Jessup, Md., has ceased operations and closed all of its stores, including one across from Whole Foods in Downtown Silver Spring. The company’s website now redirects visitors to a page on the site of 3 Day Blinds, a company founded in California in 1978.

Hair Cuttery in Ellsworth Place Shuts Down

| at 10:36 am | Categories Silver Spring

The Hair Cuttery in Ellsworth Place has permanently closed, joining other salons shut down by its parent company even as others are preparing to reopen. Creative Hairdressers Inc. announced in January it intended to close more than 80 stores due to financial issues.

County to Ease COVID-19 Restrictions Beginning Monday

| at 10:41 am | Categories Montgomery County

The county will ease the COVID-19 emergency restrictions imposed earlier this year beginning on Monday, June 1, County Executive Marc Elrich announced. In a press conference marred by boos, insults and profanities from the audience, Elrich said the gradual Phase 1 reopening of businesses and activities, under specific guidelines, would be in effect as of 6 a.m. Monday.

Face Coverings Now Required for Certain Employees, Customers During COVID-19 Emergency

| at 9:00 am | Categories Montgomery County

Employees and customers of certain retail outlets in the county are now required to wear face coverings during the COVID-19 emergency, according to a health order issued by Travis Gayles, M.D., the county’s health officer. The order, effective today (April 13), covers grocery stores, pharmacies and large chain retailers (“big-box” stores), as well as farmers markets.

SSAED, GSSCC Add Lists of Businesses Open During COVID-19 Emergency

| at 10:22 am | Categories Silver Spring

The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce are building lists of local restaurants and other businesses open to serve customers during the COVID-19 emergency. The SSAED list includes 53 restaurants, while the GSSCC includes operating information about, in addition to restaurants, fitness studios and centers, hotels, theaters, pet services, florists, auto services and “other retail.”

Salon Moves from Georgia Avenue to Bonifant Location

| at 1:30 pm | Categories Silver Spring

Salon Zoma has moved from its Georgia Avenue location to 919 Bonifant St. on the ground floor of The Bonifant apartments. Owner Fasika Kebede opened her first location as an Aveda “concept salon” in 2010, she said, offering Aveda’s environmentally friendly products exclusively. The new shop continues that concept.

Group Opens Store Devoted to Sustainable Shopping

| at 10:13 am | Categories Takoma Park

A group of local residents has opened Fullfillery, a store in Takoma Park catering to those who are interested in the concept of sustainable shopping. “We each had an idea that we wanted bulk sustainable shopping available,” said Lauren Chitwood Schauf, a Woodside Forest resident who manages the store. “It’s popping up in England, it’s popping up in New York, it’s popping up in California, but it was very conspicuously absent from D.C.”