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.