Strong-arm robbery at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police were called to Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall Monday, after someone was robbed and physically assaulted there. The incident was reported at the mall at 3:59 PM on December 29, 2025.

Kako Claw opening soon at Wheaton Plaza

Kako Claw is moving into a space at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. Yes, the claw machine fad still has some steam behind it. Kako Claw describes itself as "a bright, modern destination for skill-based claw machines and curated, high-quality prizes." It promises every one of its machines offers you a fair chance to win. When it opens, look for Kako Claw on Level 2 of the mall, across from Classic Diamond & Jewelry.

Round1 Bowling & Arcade construction begins in Wheaton

A large area on Level 1 of Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall has been walled off for construction. Because the walls are blank with no signage, the barricades have been shown on TikTok and other sites as evidence of a dying mall. In reality, a massive section of retail spaces is about to be converted into a Round1 Bowling & Arcade entertainment center, a massive amenity upgrade for the property.

Round1 got its start as a roller rink with arcade machines in Japan in 1980, just as the golden age of arcades was dawning. It grew into a major bowling and arcade chain in that country, and since 2008, has rapidly expanded into the United States. Fifty Round1 venues are now open, or in the works, across America.

What can you expect to find at Round1? Bowling and arcade games, of course. But also crane machines, professional-grade billiards, karaoke, a food menu with classic American and Japanese snacks and dishes (Do you want burgers and pizza, or gyoza and ramen? Why not all four!), and a bar.

Missing teen rescued from home in Silver Spring

A Kentucky teen missing since October was found by law enforcement in a home in the Connecticut Avenue Estates neighborhood of Silver Spring on Friday, December 26, 2025. Montgomery County police and U.S. Marshals, acting on a tip, went to a house in the 12000 block of Dalewood Drive at 5:52 PM Friday, the Montgomery County Police Department says. Inside the home, officers found the missing 13-year-old girl, and her alleged kidnapper, Christian Alexander Delgado, 37. MCPD did not specify if Delgado is a resident of the home.

Delgado is now being held at the County jail. He is awaiting extradition to Rockcastle County, Kentucky. The rescued girl was transported to a local hospital for a health evaluation.

Armed robbery in White Oak

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery in the White Oak area of Silver Spring on Christmas Eve. The robbery was reported in the 11200 block of New Hampshire Avenue at 8:30 PM Wednesday. It took place in a commercial parking lot there.

Paris Baguette opening in Silver Spring

Paris Baguette is coming soon to downtown Silver Spring. It will be located at 8605 Cameron Street, in the new Guardian apartment building. South Korea-based Paris Baguette has a massive menu of French and Korean baked goods, hot lunch and snack items like tiny pizzas and pigs-in-a-blanket, and coffee and tea beverages. There's even a whole line of donuts, including cronuts and mochi donuts. Paris Baguette's expansion to Silver Spring was first reported by the Washington Business Journal.

Strong-arm robbery at bus stop in Aspen Hill

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at a bus stop in Aspen Hill Tuesday afternoon, December 23, 2025. The robbery and assault were reported in the 3400 block of Bel Pre Road at 4:35 PM Tuesday. That is in the vicinity of Montgomery County Fire Station 25.

New hours for PNC Bank in downtown Silver Spring

The PNC Bank branch at 8661 Colesville Road in the Ellsworth Place mall in Silver Spring is changing its hours. It's new hours will be 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays. The new hours will take effect on January 12, 2026. Currently, the bank is open until 6:00 PM on weekdays.

Update on Haraz Coffee House in Burtonsville (Photos)

The window covers have come down at Haraz Coffee House at 15775 Old Columbia Pike at Burtonsville Crossing. We're now getting our first preview of the shop's interior, which includes another lighted logo sign. As you can see, some seating is in place. The Yemeni coffee shop has missed some previous target opening dates, but now appears to be getting very close to a debut.

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? AFI Silver Theater says yes

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? AFI Silver Theater's answer to that controversial question is definitively, "yes." The downtown Silver Spring movie theater is including the Bruce Willis action flick in its marathon of Christmas movies this week. Die Hard will be screened tonight, Monday, December 22, 2025, at 6:40 PM, and Wednesday night, December 24, at 9:15 PM. The original Die Hard movie poster is on display at the historic theater, which is located at 8633 Colesville Road.

Die Hard, like Batman Returns, is a great film but doesn't meet my definition of a Christmas movie. But one that does, It's a Wonderful Life, the best Christmas movie ever, is playing all three days before Christmas at the theater, 1:30 PM today, 2:00 PM Tuesday, and 2:00 PM Wednesday. Other Christmas movies on the bill include Edward Scissorhands, Home Alone, Elf, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Christmas in Connecticut. Tickets are available for purchase online.

Police investigate shots-fired incident in Wheaton

Montgomery County police are investigating a shots-fired incident that was reported in a residential neighborhood in Wheaton on December 7, 2025. Residents reported hearing gunfire in the 11100 block of Easecrest Drive at 6:41 PM that evening. That is in the Glen Haven neighborhood off of University Boulevard. 

Police describe the suspect only as a Black male of unknown age. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Strong-arm robbery at Aspen Hill apartment complex

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery at an apartment complex in Aspen Hill on Wednesday night, December 17, 2025. The robbery and assault were reported in the 3300 block of Weeping Willow Court at 9:30 PM Wednesday. It took place in the parking lot at the property.

Assault at Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an assault at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall early Tuesday evening, December 16, 2025. The assault was reported at the mall at 6:20 PM Tuesday. It occurred amidst a shoplifting incident.

Italian aerospace firm chooses Virginia for rocket motor manufacturing facility

 

Were Maryland and Montgomery County even courting global aerospace firm Avio S.p.A in its search for a site to build a $500 million solid rocket motor manufacturing facility? We may never know. But we do know that the Italian firm has selected Virginia as the winner for the high-tech factory. The 860,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility will produce solid rocket motors for defense tactical and strategic propulsion, as well as commercial space propulsion sectors. 

“I want to thank Avio USA for choosing Virginia,” Governor Glenn Youngkin said in a statement. “Today’s announcement marks another exciting milestone for our aerospace and defense industry. Avio USA’s decision to build a new rocket motor manufacturing facility here is both an important investment in America’s national security infrastructure and underscores Avio USA’s confidence in Virginia.”

“Avio looks forward to establishing on U.S. soil a solid rocket motor production facility to contribute in strengthening the U.S. industrial base by providing decades of experience in engineering and manufacturing,” Avio S.p.A. CEO Giulio Ranzo said. “In particular, we are thankful for the Commonwealth and local governments’ warm welcome for our project and count on their future support for effective execution.” 

Does Maryland and its counties extend a warm welcome to aerospace firms? Not in this century. The County Council tried to run the last remaining big aerospace firm - Lockheed Martin - out of the county not once, but twice, with radical legislation that made us look like idiots after the bills received national news coverage. "We don't need the Lockheed headquarters," former Councilmember Nancy Floreen declared in the summer of 2010. 

It's no surprise that the County has failed to attract a single major new corporate headquarters in over 25 years. Or that, thanks to the highest personal and corporate tax and fee burden in the Mid-Atlantic region, Montgomery County and Maryland have effectively been in a recession for much of this century. MoCo's crime rate has risen faster and higher than its business and job growth rates as a result. Once the economic engine of the region, Montgomery County is now at or near the bottom across every major economic benchmark tracked by the federal government. Heckuva job, Brownie!

January 1 plastic bag ban looms over Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Council is known for doing little beyond raising taxes and the cost of doing business, and banning stuff. Councilmembers were able to do all three in their highest-profile ban of the 2025 legislative session, that of plastic bags. The ban takes effect on January 1, 2026, and impacted businesses across the county are now trying to prepare their customers to buy paper bags (remember how paper bags were causing deforestation, so we were told to use plastic?!) or reusable bags, or - ew! - reuse dirty reusable bags teeming with e coli, salmonella, and God knows what else. Ironically, Safeway, whose customer alert signage is pictured here, got its start as the Sanitary Grocery Company.

 

Community store to replace Rock Creek Tavern in Olney

A community store is taking over the building at 5500 Olney-Laytonsville Road in Olney. It was recently vacated by Rock Creek Tavern. The new store will also carry beer and wine. Conversion of the interior is expected to begin in early 2026.

Aggravated assault in broad daylight in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a broad-daylight aggravated assault in Silver Spring on December 6, 2025. The incident took place at the busy intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Veirs Mill Road at 3:07 PM. Police say the adult male victim was confronted by a man, who displayed an unspecified object to him, and then physically assaulted him. Police describe the suspect only as a Black male in his forties. If you have any information that could assist detectives in closing this case, call police at (301) 279-8000. 

Romero's Italian Restaurant opening in Wheaton

Romero's Italian Restaurant is opening soon at 2666 University Boulevard W. in Wheaton. That was previously home to Cristina Ristorante Italiano. Last evening, signage was already in place on the storefront. Romero's has a liquor license hearing scheduled for December 18, 2025, and on its application states it plans to open shortly after Christmas - but stay tuned for confirmation of that, which may change. Operating hours for Romero's will be 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM, seven days a week.

Royal Farms Montgomery Hills construction update (Photos)

Construction progress on the future Royal Farms convenience store and mega gas station in Montgomery Hills keeps creep, creep, creeping along. There's finally some Tyvek on a solid part of the otherwise-still-skeletal framework of the store building. The most obvious addition is the Royal Farms logo on the gas pump canopy. Royal Farms is being constructed at 9475 Georgia Avenue, near the Capital Beltway interchange.

Popeyes posts holiday hours in downtown Silver Spring

Popeyes at 8401 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring has posted its holiday hours schedule. The restaurant will be open from 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM on Christmas Eve. It will be closed all day on Christmas Day. The day after Christmas, it will be open from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Regular business hours will be observed on New Year's Eve. Hours on New Year's Day will be 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The lobby will close two hours before closing time on each of these days.

First Purple Line station signage installed in Silver Spring

The first Purple Line light rail station signage I have seen in Montgomery County is now installed at the Silver Spring Library station in downtown Silver Spring. Crews have been installing gray brick pavers between the embedded tracks at the station. The light rail line is now expected to begin service in early 2028.

Ellsworth Place has Christmas decor cornered in downtown Silver Spring

The shocking lack of Christmas trees and decor at Downtown Silver Spring, and around downtown Silver Spring in general, has stunned many shoppers and residents. One tiny oasis has been located in the downtown area, inside Ellsworth Place mall. Tucked away in a semi-shadowy corner of the mall are a nicely-decorated Christmas tree, a life-size Santa Claus figure, and five wrapped gifts. Did the Montgomery County Council quietly pass a ban on holiday decorations in downtown Silver Spring? If so, kudos to Ellsworth Place for defying it.

Starbucks adds Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles to menu

Check out what's new at Starbucks for the holiday season. Cinnamon-Shaken Waffles are starting to pop up on menus at Starbucks locations across Montgomery County in recent days. Three bite-size Belgian waffles are shaken in a Cinnamon Dolce Shake Shake Topping, and served warm and golden brown. The waffles are available all day long, not just for breakfast.

Dor-Ne Corset Shop closing in Silver Spring after 93 years in business

Dor-Ne Corset Shop is closing at 8126 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The undergarments boutique has operated continuously since 1932, surviving the Great Depression, many recessions, and the recent pandemic. Dor-Ne was located in Washington, D.C. during the 20th Century, and moved out here to Silver Spring in 2001. 

The owners say they have decided to retire, and that the business is available for sale. Meanwhile, a closing sale is underway. Their new operating hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Saturday.

Downtown Silver Spring skipping Christmas this year (Photos)

Where are you, Christmas? Downtown Silver Spring has experimented with some non-traditional spins on holiday decorations in recent years. But it appears Ebenezer Scrooge was hired as the decor consultant for 2025. As of this evening, the Peterson Cos. retail property at 916 Ellsworth Drive is devoid of Christmas trees and decor, as well as any overt holiday-themed lighting. It's up to individual tenants to supply the Christmas cheer this year.