Shah's Halal Food opening soon in Silver Spring

Shah's Halal Food is opening soon in downtown Silver Spring. It will be at 8517 Colesville Road, in the former Jerry's Subs & Pizza space in the Hale Center. Shah's began as a pushcart in Richmond Hill in Queens, New York in 2005. Founder Ibrahim Mashriqi's sons would ultimately build Shah's into the juggernaut it is today, rapidly expanding nationally and internationally.

Shah's has a famous signature white sauce that tops its meat and rice platters, gyros, and wraps. If this sounds familiar, well, it's because Ibrahim was one of many entrepreneurs in New York inspired by the 1990s innovations of The Halal Guys. But his sauce stands apart because he incorporated spices from his native Afghanistan into the recipe. Silver Spring diners will soon have a chance to taste test the difference for themselves.

Silver Spring bank to become dental clinic

The vacant Bank of America branch at 8788 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring has a new tenant. Capital Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics has leased the space, which will obviously need some significant transformation inside. For example, each patient room or workstation will need plumbing hookups. Capital Kids Dentistry has an existing location at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., but the Silver Spring office will offer full orthodontic treatment in addition to pediatric dentistry.

Pepco tells Maryland customers, "It's not us"

The most recent two U.S. presidents have had to get used to having their likeness slapped onto gas pumps via "I did that!" stickers, when their policy decisions have led to rising gas prices. Less eager to take credit for exploding electricity bills is Pepco, which is once again taking pains to inform customers that government is indeed the problem. "Higher energy bills can be challenging, and we want you to understand what's driving those changes," the Exelon-owned utility explained in a message to ratepayers with this month's bill. And explain they do, but not as extensively as they should, requiring us to employ the Annapolis Anger Translator (AAT) for full disclosure.

First culprit on the list is the regional grid operator PJM. Pepco notes that PJM "is increasing electricity supply prices for our area. Pepco does not generate electricity or set these prices — we pass these charges through directly to customers with no markup. These increases are due to factors such as higher demand and tight energy supply."

Using the AAT, we can expand on this to learn that the actual electricity rates paid by consumers in Maryland are set by the Maryland Public Service Commission, a body appointed by...whoops!...the governor of Maryland, and approved by the Democratic-controlled Maryland State Senate. 

Why is there a "tight energy supply?" Perhaps because Maryland elected officials forced the closure of 8 power plants across the state. As a result, Maryland itself can no longer generate enough power to supply the demands of residents and businesses, and is now forced to import electricity from out-of-state at inflated boardwalk prices.

Pepco also highlights the EmPOWER MD surcharge that appears on your monthly bill. Like many other "sneak taxes," elected officials hope that you will assume these taxes, fees, and surcharges are being levied by the service provider, not your corrupt leaders. The reality is that this surcharge was levied by the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. It is a Karl Marxian Communist initiative of the highest order. Your hard-earned money goes into a slush fund used to pay for "green" upgrades to poor people's homes. From each according to his abilities...well, you get the idea.

Not mentioned is the latest hoax: data centers, the latest pass-the-buck punching bag for politicians trying to divert public attention from their direct role in the affordability crisis. No, data centers in Maryland are not the reason your Pepco bill keeps going up. It's a boogeyman far more familiar to you: your unfriendly neighborhood elected official. The call is indeed coming from inside the house.

AFI Silver Theatre in Silver Spring to screen The Odyssey in 70mm

The AFI Silver Theatre at 8633 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring will be one of the few movie theaters in the Washington, D.C. region to show Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey in the glorious 70mm format. Tickets are now on sale for the 70mm showings beginning on July 16, 2026. Rave reviews for the recent 70mm screenings of Terminator 2: Judgement Day at this theater suggest this is the way The Odyssey must be seen for the ultimate picture and sound quality - unless you are willing to drive further for the 70mm IMAX version at a true IMAX theater.

Pho Nom Nom expanding to Silver Spring

Pho Nom Nom is parlaying its success in Rockville and Gaithersburg into a third Montgomery location, opening soon in Silver Spring. The Vietnamese restaurant has leased the space at 11225 New Hampshire Avenue, next to Tobacco Village at the White Oak Shopping Center. Give credit to property owner Saul Centers, which manages to squeeze in some surprising twists here among the typical strip mall denizens. Let's face it, you won't find Sarku Japan outside of a mall in Bethesda. And there is the always-delicious Pizza Castle.

Amazing Art Studio opens in Silver Spring

Amazing Art Studio has opened at 12255 Prosperity Drive at the White Oak Town Center in Silver Spring. If you're ready to paint-your-own pottery, mosaics, fused glass, and other mediums, Amazing Art Studio is ready for you to drop in at your convenience during business hours. Or, you can plan and schedule a party or event for a group. This is the second Amazing Art Studio in Montgomery County, with the original location still going strong at Downtown Crown in Gaithersburg.

Austrian life sciences firm chooses Virginia over Maryland for U.S. headquarters

Austrian life sciences firm Ringana has made the United States the target of its next international expansion push, but first it needed a U.S. corporate headquarters to operate from. It has found the perfect location, and you won't be surprised to hear it is not in Montgomery County, or even within the state of Maryland. You also won't be surprised to learn that Virginia is once again the winner in this latest corporate HQ sweepstakes. That's right: 435 jobs are on the way from the Österreich to 2797 Frontage Road NW in Roanoke, Virginia. The former Johnson & Johnson site will not only house corporate offices, but also a manufacturing facility and a distribution center.

The deal was apparently secured when Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger invited Ringana corporate leadership to meet with her personally this past February. In contrast, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has failed to turn his supposedly-massive Rolodex of Wall Street, Hamptons, and Martha's Vineyard business contacts into a single major corporate headquarters win. After an awkward few months dominated by divisive partisan politics, Spanberger seems to have found the blueprint left behind by her Democratic predecessors, who have typically been as successful in attracting corporate headquarters as their Republican counterparts.

“RINGANA’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Virginia underscores the Commonwealth’s reputation as a welcoming, premier destination for international investment,” Spanberger said in a statement. “With our world-class workforce, strong apprenticeship and career training programs, and unwavering commitment to supporting global companies in a global marketplace, Virginia offers the ideal environment for businesses to grow and succeed in the United States. We are excited to welcome RINGANA to Roanoke and look forward to the hundreds of career opportunities this partnership will create for Virginians.”

We should take note of the site chosen by Ringana. Look how close it is to Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport, which has connecting flights to Dulles International Airport. Also nearby is Interstate 81, a major freight trucking route connecting Tennessee and Canada. Once again, Virginia tax advantages join with infrastructure to hand Maryland and Montgomery County yet another economic development loss. MoCo and Maryland elected officials will tell you with clownish pride that "we don't do highways," and that they will never allow construction of the long-delayed new Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area.

Now before we get too carried away, I don't want to overhype Ringana. We should be focused on major corporations, especially on aerospace, biotech, defense, and technology firms. Ringana is not a Fortune 500 company. But it has enjoyed $245 million in annual revenue, and 30% year-over-year revenue growth. It will be investing $85 million in Virginia and its people and communities. The Roanoke Regional Partnership is already working to connect local businesses that can provide services to Ringana with the company's leadership.

Beggars can't be choosers. Montgomery County and Maryland once again are left holding their nearly-empty begging cups.

KaFean Koffee opens at Wheaton Plaza

KaFean Koffee is now open at Wheaton Plaza. The coffee kiosk has relocated here from Westfield Montgomery Mall. Look for it on Level 2 of the mall, near Kokee Tea. KaFean Koffee serves coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. Check out their menu below:

Smash and grab in Aspen Hill

A store at the Aspen Hill Shopping Center was targeted by burglars early yesterday morning, June 12, 2026. Multiple suspects smashed a window and a front door at MyEyeDr. at 13505 Connecticut Avenue at 3:39 AM Friday, Montgomery County police say. They allegedly entered the store and looted merchandise from multiple display cases. Police have not released descriptions of the suspects, or of their getaway vehicle, as of this writing.

Armand's Pizzeria latest victim of the moribund Montgomery County economy

Armand's Pizzeria and Grille is closing at 190 Halpine Road in Rockville. After over 51 years in business, the restaurant's co-owners announced on Instagram that they will permanently shut their doors after the close of business on June 20, 2026. This is your last chance to get a slice of Armand's pizza. But it's also another chance to see what the anti-business policies of the Montgomery County Council, and the resulting moribund Montgomery County economy, have wreaked on our business community and underfilled County revenue coffers.

WTOP reporter Luke Lukert wrote that "due to financial reasons and a struggling environment for small businesses, they will have to shut their doors." Lukert interviewed Armand's co-owner Chris Sappe, who told him,"Montgomery County is a tough place to have a family-owned business with minimum wage increasing." Along with recent hikes in ingredient and fuel costs, Sappe said, they had to make the difficult decision to close.

Let's again spin one of the greatest hits recorded by Peter Gragnano of the Suburban Washington Franchise Owners Association, when he and many other business owners and advocates pleaded with the Council not to move forward with their massive minimum wage hike in June of 2016. "That's a lot of extra Slurpees to sell," Gragnano said in the quote of the night. Did the Council heed these warnings? Nope.

Remember the Council's brilliant idea to index the minimum wage to inflation beginning in 2021? Yep, that one hasn't aged well, either. One businessman warned the Council that if inflation spiked as it did in the late 1970s and early 1980s, "there won't be a way to wash a dish in a restaurant." This is the man you should now be asking to generate your lottery numbers! Inflation spike? In America? The County Council clearly does not share that businessman's Kenny Kingston-esque foresight.

Another one of the brilliant minds in the business realm of Maryland is Maddy Voytek, who in 2016 was working at the Maryland Retailers Association. She noted that Montgomery County had already lost 2141 retail jobs between 2000 and 2016. Voytek told the Council that adoption of the $15 wage would "devastate our economy."

What we've seen most recently, as all of these dire predictions came true, are more closings of older businesses. Community institutions. Businesses like Armand's or Flanagan's in Bethesda. Businesses that have survived wars, recessions, and the 2008 "Great Recession," only to be felled now by the incompetents on our County Council. Something is rotten in the County of Montgomery. Have the smelling salts reached your nostrils yet?

Knife assault at hotel in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police were called to a hotel in downtown Silver Spring late yesterday afternoon, June 10, 2026, after an aggravated assault took place. According to police, a man was trespassing at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at 8777 Georgia Avenue at 5:47 PM Wednesday. A security guard confronted the man, and asked him to leave the premises. The man declined, and allegedly pull out a knife and took several swings at the guard with it. He then fled the hotel on foot. Officers caught up with the suspect, and successfully took him into custody.

Shooting in Glenmont wounds one victim

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a shooting in Glenmont this afternoon, June 10, 2026. The shooting was reported in the 2300 block of Glenmont Circle at 2:11 PM. Officers arrived at the scene with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service personnel, and located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital.

Police say the victim's injuries appear to be non-life-threatening. No suspect information has been released so far, and the alleged shooter appears to remain at large at this time. Another incident reflecting the 2026 Montgomery County trend of violent crimes taking place during daytime hours.

Montgomery County Republican Club endorses Ed Hale for Maryland governor

Baltimore businessman Ed Hale has received the endorsement of the Montgomery County Republican Club in the GOP primary race for Maryland governor. The club was founded in 1970, and counts former Governor Bob Ehrlich among its Advisory Board members. This morning, the club's Board of Directors announced its endorsements in County and State contests, headlined by its backing of Hale for governor. 

"At the top of the ticket, the Club has thrown its support behind Ed Hale for Governor of Maryland," the Board said in a statement this morning. "A businessman and entrepreneur, Hale has built his campaign around lowering the state’s tax burden, reducing regulatory obstacles to commerce, and restoring an economic climate in which job creators can thrive. The Club presents Hale’s real-world experience as a decisive credential for Maryland’s executive office."

The Board's argument in favor of Hale centers on his business resume, which includes having been a major employer and catalyst for growth at the Port of Baltimore. He served as president of the Bank of Baltimore, and was the founder of 1st Mariner Bank, credentials that Hale has pointed to as evidence he is well-positioned to tackle the state's mounting fiscal crisis. Hale was also the successful developer of Canton Crossing, which transformed a severely-contaminated oil refinery site in Baltimore into a vibrant mixed-use development.

"Honored and grateful to receive the official endorsement of the Montgomery County Republican Club!" Hale wrote on social media this morning. "Maryland is ready for a leader with real-world business experience who knows what it takes to lower the tax burden, cut through regulatory red tape, and restore a thriving economic climate where job creators and families can truly flourish. Thank you to the Club and all of its members for throwing your support behind our mission to bring decisive leadership to Annapolis. Together, we are going to build a stronger, more prosperous Maryland!"

Dog walker threatened with handgun in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a bizarre episode on Weller Road in Silver Spring on Sunday morning, June 7, 2026. A man was walking his dog in the 2600 block of Weller at 9:36 AM, when the driver of a vehicle allegedly pointed to a handgun inside the car. The suspect then verbally threatened to shoot the dog walker, police say. At that point, the man and his dog ran back to their home and the man called police.

Police have not released a description of the suspect, nor of the suspect's vehicle. They did confirm that no one was injured in the incident. It almost goes without saying, but it must be said, that this is yet another example of violent criminals now acting more frequently in broad daylight in Montgomery County.

AutoZone to open in White Oak

AutoZone is coming soon to White Oak in Silver Spring, according to a sign posted in the window of its future storefront. The auto parts and accessories retailer has leased the vacant former Sears Auto Center building at 11259 New Hampshire Avenue at the White Oak Shopping Center. This will be the fourth AutoZone location in eastern Montgomery County. In case you want to open a department store, the larger Sears store building remains available for lease.

Strong-arm robbery in residential neighborhood in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a strong-arm robbery in a quiet residential neighborhood in Silver Spring early last night, June 6, 2026. The robbery and assault were reported in the 10400 block of Hayes Avenue at 6:30 PM Saturday. That is in the Cameron Heights subdivision off of Dennis Avenue, a couple of blocks west of Sligo Middle School.

Samsung chooses Texas over Maryland for new U.S. corporate headquarters

Maryland dropped the ball - and dropped the call - on one of the biggest corporate headquarters relocation sweepstakes of 2026. South Korean technology giant Samsung is fleeing New Jersey after locating its U.S. headquarters there nearly 40 years ago. Up for grabs were not only the prestige of having the HQ of a conglomerate with fifth-highest brand value of any company in the world, but also 1000 high-wage jobs. You would expect Maryland, which hasn't attracted a single new major corporate headquarters in over a quarter century, to pull out all the stops to lure Samsung to the state. But you would be wrong: Samsung is instead moving its HQ to Plano, Texas.

How hard did Montgomery County and Maryland try to win the game? We don't know, because neither discussed their desire or strategy to win over Samsung publicly. We know Maryland Governor Wes Moore was in touch with executives of a Samsung biotech division when he traveled to South Korea on a trade mission in 2025. Those conversations played a role in Samsung Biologics agreeing to take over a Montgomery County manufacturing facility that was likely to close otherwise. Was Moore able to tap into those contacts during this year's HQ competition? We don't know.

What we do know, is that Montgomery County and Maryland again reaped the whirlwind of failing to get themselves into fighting shape for economic development. While the Maryland tax burden is less than New Jersey's, it cannot remotely compete with Samsung's choice of Texas. The Lone Star State has no individual or corporate income tax. Maryland, whose leaders chose to close 8 power plants and implement "clean" power mandates and a Communist EmPOWER surcharge on electric bills, can no longer generate enough power and is forced to import electricity at higher "boardwalk prices." As a result, energy costs in Texas are literally half of those in Maryland. 

Those two factors alone were likely enough to convince any intelligent executive to choose Texas over Maryland. But wait - there's more.

Texas has superior highway and air travel infrastructure. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is closer by car to Plano than Montgomery County is to Dulles International Airport, thanks to Montgomery County and Maryland officials actively blocking construction of a long-planned Potomac River crossing to the Dulles area. 

There's also no contest when it comes to private jet travel. Business executives can travel to international destinations like London and Mexico City from Addison Airport, located only 12-17 minutes from Plano. Such jaunts are not possible from the Montgomery County Airpark, which cannot accommodate larger business jets. Addison has customs facilities; Montgomery County Airpark does not. Addison boasts 3 Fixed-Base Operators providing fueling, minor maintenance, deicing, and baggage handling; flight crew resources and facilities such as flight plan and weather rooms and crew lounges; and luxury VIP passenger lounges, secure parking, and corporate sedan/limousine ground transportation coordination. MCA has one FBO, which is limited to fueling and hangar storage, and does not offer luxury facilities or amenities.

Finally, Texas is a Right to Work state and has a far-cheaper cost of living than Maryland. This means lower overall labor costs, and the lower cost of housing and everything else helps to attract the best and brightest to Texas.

Texas has a whopping 57 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters. Maryland has...3. Womp womp.

"Texas is the undisputed headquarters of headquarters," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a (under)statement earlier this week. 

Armed robbery near school in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery near Springbrook High School in Silver Spring yesterday afternoon, June 4, 2026. The robbery took place near the school on Valley Brook Drive at 2:30 PM Thursday. According to police, two suspects wielding firearms approached the victim and took unspecified property. Police have not released descriptions of the suspects as of this writing. It's quite disturbing that this occurred around the dismissal time at Springbrook, and yet another violent crime being committed in broad daylight, a 2026 trend in Montgomery County.

Another corporate headquarters leaving Montgomery County for Virginia

Just weeks before the primary election, Montgomery County has lost yet another corporate headquarters to Northern Virginia. Spatial Front, a defense contracting firm, has announced it will be relocating from Bethesda to Crystal City. It will take 450 high-wage jobs with it. Spatial Front is a privately held firm founded in 2008 that specializes in artificial intelligence, machine learning, geospatial technologies, cloud services, and digital modernization for U.S. federal agencies.

Beyond the incredible tax advantages and superior infrastructure of Virginia, and the moribund economies of Montgomery County and Maryland, a person in the defense contracting field tells me that the new Maryland IT services tax may have been the last straw for Spatial Front. Beginning last July, Maryland’s Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 instituted a 3% sales and use tax on data processing, computer systems design, and software publishing. As the Fort Meade Alliance warned Maryland elected officials, the IT tax could have the result of driving what's left of the defense contracting business out of the state to Northern Virginia. That's partly because the tax wallops companies operating under the NAICS 5415 code (Computer Systems Design), the industry group said, and could wipe out profit margins.

The Spatial Front departure again confirms all that I've been saying for years. Montgomery County and Maryland do not have competitive tax policies. In fact, Montgomery County has the largest total tax and fee burden in the Washington D.C. Metro area. All Northern Virginia counties enjoy direct access to Dulles International Airport, the only airport in the region that offers the frequency of flights to the largest variety of destinations that international businesspeople demand. Montgomery County, by contrast, has steadfastly refused to build the new Potomac River crossing that would extend I-370 to the Dulles area, an own-goal of increasingly-catastrophic proportions. And we also see the magnetism of winning these corporate headquarters. Crystal City has the Amazon HQ2, and companies want to be where the energy is.

To top off the irony of the loss, Spatial Front is moving into 2231 Crystal Drive, a building owned by Bethesda-based JBG Smith! "As Governor, I am proud that Spatial Front is moving its headquarters to Arlington," Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger said in a celebratory press release announcing the victory. "The decision to relocate and bring hundreds of high-quality jobs to the Commonwealth reaffirms Virginia’s status as the nation’s premier location for defense and technology innovation. I remain focused on working with state and local partners to bolster that reputation, strengthen our business climate, and cement Virginia as the top state for talent so we can continue to openly welcome growing and expanding companies in every industry."

While Spanberger was closing the deal with Spatial Front, the Montgomery County Council was raising multiple taxes on its residential and business constituents, attending conferences at Hawaiian resorts, advancing a moratorium on data centers and an unconstitutional gun control bill, and passing a bill on the use of masks by law enforcement that violates the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause. Doh!

Remember when Tennessee was sealing the deal after wooing Discovery away from Silver Spring, and the Montgomery County Council was simultaneously debating a ban on circus animals? Wow. Heckuva job, Brownie!

Armed robber emerges from bushes in Silver Spring

An armed robber pulled a reverse Homer Simpson at an apartment complex in the White Oak area of Silver Spring last night, June 2, 2026. Montgomery County police say the suspect emerged from bushes while brandishing a handgun in the 12300 block of Featherwood Drive at 9:00 PM Tuesday night. That is in the Spring Parc Apartments complex. The suspect pointed the gun at the victim, and took unspecified property before fleeing on foot. Police have not released a description of the suspect.

Romero's Italian Restaurant opens in Wheaton

Romero's Italian Restaurant is now open at 2666 University Boulevard West in Wheaton. The menu is traditional Italian. Those who have ventured here in the earliest days have filed rave reviews online. Romero's currently has a perfect 5-star rating on both Yelp and Google. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.

Marathon Deli & Grill now open in Kensington

Marathon Deli & Grill is now open at 10619 Connecticut Avenue at the new Crossroads of Kensington shopping center. The authentic Greek restaurant is more than just a deli, with a full menu and a full bar. Custom murals brighten the interior, and outdoor seating is available for this good weather week we are having. Operating hours are 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, seven days a week.