Italian Kitchen closes in Silver Spring

Italian Kitchen at 8201 Fenton Street in downtown Silver Spring was closed during business hours last evening. The closure is permanent, according to Google. A family-owned restaurant, Italian Kitchen opened in 2015, exactly a decade ago. Signage is still up, and there is still furniture in the dining room, but most of the windows are covered.

Strong-arm robbery in downtown Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in downtown Silver Spring Thursday night, August 28, 2025. The robbery was reported in the 8400 block of Colesville Road at 8:07 PM. It took place along the street.

Canada Dry bottling plant facade rehab ahead in Silver Spring

A facade rehabilitation project is imminent for the historic Canada Dry bottling plant at 1201 East-West Highway in downtown Silver Spring. The art moderne-style bottling plant opened in 1946, and ceased operations in 1995. It was then used as a warehouse by the beverage company until 2003, when part of the building was demolished. Today, the portion that remains is a protected historic structure, and is part of the Silverton condominiums. It has been largely hidden from the street by trees in recent years.

Silver Spring hotel converting to apartments

The shuttered Hotel Silver Spring at 8727 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring is getting new life as an apartment building. Preparations are being made to convert the hotel rooms into 227 studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom rental apartments. The parking garage will remain in place, but receive any necessary updates or renovations required for tenant use. Previously branded as a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, the building is 13 stories tall and 190,000-square feet in size.

Qdoba opening in Olney

Qdoba Mexican Eats is expanding to Olney. It will be located at 3486 Olney-Laytonsville Road, at the Olney Shopping Center. That was previously home to Eco Cleaners. Qdoba has three existing locations in Montgomery County, in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring.

Spirit Halloween now haunting in Wheaton (Photos)

Spirit Halloween is now open for the 2025 Halloween season in Wheaton. It is in the former Party City building at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall at 11006 Veirs Mill Road. Here's a sneak peek at what is inside for this year, including an apparent "Giant Rat" trend for 2025 that could get Donald Trump's attention. Also on sale is a Montgomery County Council-inspired Stuffed Dummy Prop. Gardez Bien! Operating hours for the store are 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Saturdays, and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sundays.

Cristina Ristorante Italiano space marketed for lease in Wheaton

The space currently home to Cristina Ristorante Italiano at 2666 University Blvd West in Wheaton is now being marketed as available for lease. That's according to signs posted on the front of the Italian restaurant. An online listing, which was posted this past weekend, indicates that the space will become available on September 1, 2025. The restaurant remains open for business at this time, and has been in operation for over 30 years.

Advance Auto Parts opens new Wheaton store

Advance Auto Parts has opened its new Wheaton store. It is at 12222 Veirs Mill Road, at the Randolph Crossing shopping center. "Grand opening" signage has been posted on the building. This was previously a Walgreens store, and for longer prior to that, a Rite Aid. Advance Auto Parts has an existing Wheaton location at 12021 Georgia Avenue.

A grand opening sale is offering special prices on select products, such as those pictured below. Operating hours for the new Wheaton store at 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sundays.

Armed carjacking in Aspen Hill

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed carjacking in Aspen Hill on August 13, 2025. The carjacking was reported in the 13600 block of Georgia Avenue at 10:33 PM, near Hewitt Avenue and the Matthew Henson Trail. Two suspects displayed unspecified weapons, and drove off in the adult male victim's vehicle. Police were able to recover the vehicle two days later.

The suspects remain at-large. Police describe them only as two Black males of unknown age. If you can assist police in identifying or locating the carjackers, call (301) 279-8000.

Teen fatally shot in Long Branch

Montgomery County police are investigating a fatal shooting that took place late Tuesday night, August 19, 2025, in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring. Jaril Verde Murillo, 17, was walking with two other male teenagers along a path toward the Foxhall Apartments sometime after 11:00 PM Tuesday night. An unknown suspect or suspects opened fire on the group, and Verde Murillo was hit once. He collapsed into the roadway in the 700 block of University Boulevard East.

Police officers and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue service personnel arrived at the scene at 11:28 PM, and found Verde Murillo in the road. They attempted lifesaving measures, but Verde Murillo was tragically declared dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where the cause and manner of death were determined to be homicide by gunshot wound.

Police say that at this time, there is no suspect information available, and no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information regarding possible suspects or this crime is asked to contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County. Tips can be submitted anonymously at www.crimesolversmcmd.org by clicking the "Submit a Tip" link, or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Tips leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward ranging from $250 to $10,000.

French laser firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Say it isn't so! Montgomery County and Maryland have lost yet another economic development competition to Arlington County and Virginia. French laser firm Cailabs SAS wanted to move its U.S. headquarters out of Washington, D.C., but remain in the region. It announced yesterday that it had chosen the booming Rosslyn area of Arlington as the destination for the company's U.S. operations. Cailabs will move into 4,200-square-feet of office space at the gleaming Class A office building at 1530 Wilson Boulevard. The company will also add 16 new employees.

Many of Cailabs' employees hold PhDs, and the company has filed over 25 patents. It specializes in the design and manufacturing of advanced laser-light products for the defense, aerospace, telecommunications, and manufacturing industries. The Rosslyn location provides quick access to both Reagan National and Dulles International airports, as well as Metro and I-66. Montgomery County and Maryland could have had direct access to Dulles and I-66, but chose to cancel the new Potomac River crossing to Dulles, and the Northwest Freeway, which would have connected to I-66 in Rosslyn. Doh!

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin toasted his victory Wednesday, as Maryland Governor Wes Moore was declared America's "most-disappointing governor" by economist Anirban Basu, and Moore's chief-of-staff jumped ship as the state's fiscal crisis continues to slam up against its moribund economy and high crime. With plummeting poll numbers, Moore could only look on with envy, in the reflection of fellow White House aspirant Youngkin's stunning laser light show across the Potomac.

“Cailabs’ decision to relocate their U.S. headquarters to Virginia shows that the Commonwealth remains the premier location for global tech companies looking to expand their footprint in the Americas,” Youngkin said in a statement yesterday. “Virginia’s exceptional talent, reliable infrastructure, and proximity to key federal and defense partners gives companies like Cailabs a strategic advantage as they continue to innovate and expand. The Commonwealth is proud to support Cailabs’ mission of paving the way to a bright future with the power of lasers.” 

“When Cailabs first decided to open a U.S. office, they chose Washington. Two years later, when they decided to stay in the US, they chose Virginia. That decision speaks volumes,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Juan Pablo Segura. “Logistically, economically, and strategically, Virginia remains the ideal location for tech companies looking to push boundaries and build a thriving business.” 

“Arlington cordially says ‘Bienvenue’ to Cailabs on their decision to establish their U.S. headquarters in Rosslyn, at the heart of our nation’s capital region,” Arlington County Board Chair Takis Karantonis said. “By choosing Arlington, Cailabs joins a community where the nation’s best-prepared, innovative and talented workforce meets exceptional quality of life in an open, welcoming and forward-thinking culture. We are excited to add a leading new technology business to the dense fabric of transatlantic partnerships that connect, strengthen and advance economies, people and values. We look forward to seeing Cailabs grow and succeed here in Arlington.” 

“I’m delighted that Cailabs has chosen to relocate its U.S. headquarters to Arlington County,” said Senator Barbara Favola. “Arlington has leveraged the investments made by the Commonwealth to create a 21st century workforce. In addition to proximity to major airports and our nation’s capital, Arlington offers a world class public education system, great transit options, and a park in every neighborhood. I am sure that Cailabs will feel ‘right at home’ in the diverse and caring Arlington community.” 

Westfield may have mystery buyer for Wheaton Plaza mall

A mystery buyer has emerged for Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall, creating an equally-mysterious forecast for the property's future. Parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is now in discussions with a prospective buyer who has expressed willingness to buy the mall property, and the loan and debt currently being carried on it by URW, according to Bisnow. The potential sale price is unknown, but the real estate website reports that the mall was recently reappraised with a value of $136 million, down 66% from its $402 million appraisal in February 2015. 

If the mall were to sell for only $136 million, it could be one of the steals of the century. Obviously, the default on the property's mortgage by URW earlier this year, and the associated debt and complications from that, are a drag on any potential buyer. But the 1.6 million-square-foot property is a massive redevelopment opportunity, right next to a Metro station. The profits of redeveloping that as high-density luxury housing would as enormous as the impact on the surrounding residential neighborhood and Montgomery County infrastructure.

Wheaton bank robbery suspect arrested

Montgomery County police have arrested a suspect in the August 15, 2025 armed robbery of the Capital One bank at 11241 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. Detectives allege that the man in custody is also the suspect in the August 14, 2025 sexual assault that allegedly took place at a gas station in Rockville the night before. 

Carlos St. James Hover, 34, of Washington, D.C. entered the gas station in Rockville early that evening, police say, and allegedly assaulted and raped the victim inside. Hover was captured by police the next morning in Wheaton. After arriving at the scene of the bank holdup, officers recognized the suspect from the gas station incident the night before. He was allegedly wearing some of the same distinctive pieces of clothing the previous night's rape victim had described to detectives.

Hover was transported to the County's Central Processing Unit where he was charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault, armed robbery, resisting arrest, and other related crimes. He is being held without bond.

Photo courtesy Montgomery County Police Department

Armed robbery at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall early Friday evening. The robbery was reported at the mall, which is located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road, at 7:40 PM Friday. A firearm was the weapon employed in the robbery. 

Police respond to bank robbery in Wheaton

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a bank robbery in progress in Wheaton Friday morning, August 15, 2025. The robbery was reported at a bank in the 11200 block of Georgia Avenue at 9:15 AM Friday. Someone was also allegedly assaulted during the robbery attempt. There is a Capital One bank on that block at 11241 Georgia Avenue.

Smoke shop to replace Record Exchange in Silver Spring

A vape shop has leased the storefront at 8642 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring. This was the former home of the venerable Record Exchange. The music, film, and gaming retailer closed last summer. Construction on the smoke shop is anticipated to begin before fall.

Police seeking suspect in White Oak shooting

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect in the July 28, 2025 shooting in the White Oak area of Silver Spring. In a brazen, daylight attack at 9:47 AM, the suspect allegedly shot an adult male victim, whose current condition was not detailed by police. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you can identify the alleged shooter, or have any other information about this incident, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Developers train their eyes on "Eastern Silver Spring" next

The Montgomery County cartel is ready to move on communities in what it has rebranded "Eastern Silver Spring." This is a triangular area of eastern Montgomery County roughly bordered by the Colesville Road corridor to the east, the Capital Beltway to the north, the Prince George's County line to the east, and the City of Takoma Park to the south. It's quite a large area, as master plans go. The desire to upzone is made clear by the logo used by the Montgomery County Planning Department, which shows a hulking Thrive 2050 apartment building looming over a single family home. And the mega upzoning allowed by the long-delayed Purple Line is the purple elephant in the room.

A public meeting has been scheduled for September 4, 2025 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Long Branch Community Center at 8700 Piney Branch Road regarding how faith-based institutions "can be part of shaping the [Eastern Silver Spring Communities] plan’s vision for housing, equity, public spaces, sustainability, and neighborhood growth." Yes, having learned nothing from the November 2024 election, the Planning Department is still pushing the equity ......... Pay close attention to the description of this meeting, as it portends much for your future if allowed to advance with no restraints. Using the "Eastern Silver Spring" Anger Translator, we can learn that what this really stands for is developers buying up and demolishing churches, and entering into "partnerships" with other houses of worship to acquire land around their buildings for housing construction.

Many wonderful single-family home residential neighborhoods are contained within the plan area. Whether they stay that way partially depends on the outcome of this master plan. Holding a meeting at 6:00 PM suggests the County does not want many of these hardworking and employed residents to attend - or to attend on an empty stomach at best. Remember, if you're not at the table, you're on the menu. You can RSVP online on the meeting announcement website.