Hakim 1 Stop Shop reopens in Silver Spring, but inspection records vanish

Hakim 1 Stop Shop has reopened at 8433 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The convenience store was temporarily shut down by Montgomery County health inspectors for unspecified code violations. These violations had to be corrected, and the premises reinspected by the County, for the business to reopen. 

Intriguingly, neither the original violations nor the successful reinspection can be found in the Montgomery County Food Inspection database. The terms "Hakim" and "8433 Georgia" return zero search results. I then performed an excruciating manual search of the database for all of April and May, and found no trace of either inspection, or even of the required pre-opening inspection from months earlier.

Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant closed in Silver Spring

Lucy Ethiopian Restaurant has closed at 8301 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The windows are papered over, but there is no message posted for customers. Google states that the restaurant is "temporarily closed." The restaurant's website is currently down, however.

Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Cemetery remembered in Silver Spring

A banner has been placed at a former car wash site to remind the public that there was a church at this location in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring - and that many of its members remain interred beneath more recent buildings and asphalt today. Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church was a landmark at Georgia Avenue and Seminary Road from 1825 to 1964. The church was sold in 1964, but the burial ground associated with it was somehow allowed to be built over by Montgomery County. This was hardly an unusual abomination in the County during the 1960s, tragically.

The good news is that the descendants of some of those buried here are on the case now. Ground penetrating radar has identified over 100 confirmed or potential graves. Some may even be beneath Georgia Avenue itself. The descendants are asking the Maryland State Highway Administration to exhume remains from graves under Georgia Avenue, and reinter them within the burial ground, and return the properties associated with the cemetery to a memorial park use.

It's heartening to see the tragedy of Moses African Cemetery in Bethesda lead to a reexamination of similar travesties countywide. The fascinating part is that the political cartel that runs the County behind the curtain loudly declares its purported belief that "Black Lives Matter," but pushes back with every ounce of strength against actual Black people advocating for the poor souls whose eternal rest has been - and still is - threatened by the rapacious real estate development that is The Only Thing That Matters to the Montgomery County cartel.

Monarch butterfly tagged in Sandy Spring arrives in Mexico

A migrating monarch butterfly tagged in Sandy Spring last September was found in Mexico earlier this year. The monarch successfully traveled 1,934 miles from Maryland to the El Rosario butterfly sanctuary in Michoacán, Mexico. It was among the monarchs tagged by residents of Friends House, a retirement community on Quaker Lane in Sandy Spring, last fall. Less than one-half of a percent of tagged monarchs are recaptured at the end of their journey south of the border.

The tiny tag on the Sandy Spring monarch indicated it had been tagged in the Friends House flower garden on September 27. Researchers at El Rosario recaptured and identified the butterfly on February 4. The tagging program is a volunteer effort coordinated by Monarch Watch to map the annual migration and population of the species.

Purple Line catenary poles popping up all over Silver Spring

Green poles for the Purple Line light rail system are popping up all along its route through Silver Spring. The catenary poles can be seen downtown, where the trains will run along the street, at the Silver Spring Transit Center where there will be a Purple Line station, and in the Long Branch area, among others. These poles are part of the overhead wiring that will power the trains. The Purple Line will run from Bethesda to New Carrollton. As of today, it is scheduled to begin operation in late 2027 or early 2028.

Auto thieves return to Bel Pre Road in Aspen Hill

Lock those vehicles on Bel Pre Road! Auto thieves are returning yet again to one of their favorite haunts in Montgomery County. Montgomery County police report that a vehicle was reported stolen yesterday in the 3800 block of Bel Pre at 5:04 AM. It was taken from a residential parking lot.

Montgomery County government vehicle stolen in Silver Spring

Even the government of Montgomery County is not immune from being victimized by the County's six-year crime wave. A County government vehicle is among the latest stolen by auto thieves. County police report that a Montgomery County Fire Marshal vehicle was stolen from a parking lot in the 3300 block of Gateshead Manor Way in the Fairland area of Silver Spring. 

The theft was discovered yesterday afternoon, and police believe the vehicle was stolen sometime between 2:30 PM on April 29, 2026 and 3:12 PM Monday. Police did not identify the specific address of the parking lot, but the East County Community Center is located at 3310 Gateshead Manor Way.

Royal Farms postpones opening in Silver Spring

UPDATE - May 5, 2026, 5:18 PM: Royal Farms has postponed the opening to June 1. 

The Force is with Royal Farms. Maryland's homegrown mega gas station and convenience store chain opened its newest location this morning at 9475 Georgia Avenue, in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring. It's just south of the interchange with the Capital Beltway. Open 24 hours a day, the station boasts 8 gas pumps and the store serves the chain's famous fried chicken. Now you can stock up on both before you hit the highway to Ocean City this summer.

"Royal Farms has been a Maryland staple since 1959, and opening this Silver Spring location allows us to deepen our connection to our home state," Royal Farms District Leader Steve Rymer said in a statement. "We take great pride in serving our neighbors, and we’re eager to bring our signature fresh-food experience to the Georgia Avenue corridor."

Silver Spring church lists property for sale

A Silver Spring church has listed its entire property for sale. First Faith Church is located at 12323 Bluhill Road, but has prime frontage along heavily-traveled Randolph Road. The property includes not only the three-level church itself, but also a classroom building, a parsonage residence, and a 40-space parking lot. It's also within walking distance of the Glenmont Metro, if you're in good health and have high-quality walking shoes. Or you could take the M42 or M44 Metrobus from Glenmont Metro, and get off at the Randolph-Bluhill bus stop for Sunday services. 

This church is notable for several reasons, including its architecture. I do not know the name of the architect, but it clearly was designed to fit in seamlessly among the homes around it, using an identical color scheme and materials. The original church structure was built in 1962. You rarely see this level of sensitivity and community spirit in Montgomery County today. 

But, then again, this was happening amid the early years of the golden age of Wheaton and Glenmont. That vaunted era delivered countless architectural gems that today's developers don't often have the time or financial generosity to provide. We continue to admire those that remain standing, like the fine and sturdy midcentury modern brick homes, or the Aspen Hill Library. And mourn the loss of those that have been mindlessly demolished, such as the Wheaton Youth Center. Yes, Led Zeppelin did play there.

Real estate broker NAIknlb is marketing the property as a turnkey church opportunity. One imagines that the increasingly-bonkers zoning guidelines of Montgomery County may also permit all kinds of lucrative redevelopment options, as well. Cue the rubbing hands of developers. The asking price is $3,200,000, according to the online listing.

Update on Round1 Bowling & Arcade in Wheaton (Photos)

Construction walls continue to block the view of most of the work being done at the future Round1 Bowling & Arcade entertainment center at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. You can see a little bit of what's being done on the outdoor-facing side of the space, which is on Level 1 next to the venerable JCPenney. But the main thing we can see right now are new signs giving mall patrons an idea of what to expect when it opens. And they are also hiring staff for all positions. 

Student arrested, charged in Blake High School shooting in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police have arrested a James Hubert Blake High School student in connection to the shooting that took place on Wednesday in the school's parking lot at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. Taric Wilson, 17, of Silver Spring has been charged with first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, carrying a loaded handgun, and felony use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime. Ironically, police also confirmed that Wilson was the individual wounded during the parking lot skirmish, when his own gun discharged amidst the struggle, hitting him in the knee and foot. Wilson was arrested in Washington, D.C., and is now awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

In another irony, the adult "outside intruder" that Montgomery County Public Schools officials tried to blame the incident on, was not the person who was carrying the firearm onto the campus. However, Djibia Gombo, 19, of Silver Spring did allegedly pick up the gun after Wilson dropped it. Police also allege that Gombo briefly pointed the gun at a "Montgomery County Public Schools security officer" before placing on the pavement.

Gombo was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with 1st-degree assault. Police say they are continuing their investigation of the incident. No mugshots of Wilson or Gombo were released by police with their statement this afternoon.

Romero's Italian Restaurant "opening soon" in Wheaton

New signage posted at Romero's Italian Restaurant promises it is "opening soon." Located at 2666 University Boulevard West, the restaurant had hoped to open this past winter, but it looks like the end of construction is now within sight. They're also hiring staff, according to the Help Wanted sign in the front window. This was most recently home to another Italian eatery, Cristina Ristorante Italiano.

Shooting at Blake High School in Silver Spring

Montgomery County police are investigating a shooting that took place on the grounds of James Hubert Blake High School at 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring this morning. According to police, a County police Community Engagement Officer already at the campus was informed about a fight taking place in the school parking lot at 11:29 AM. School security officers and the CEO intervened in the brawl, and a handgun fell to the ground amid the struggle.

An initial summary of events press release from the police department does not state who dropped the gun. It does state that a 19-year-old male was taken into custody. The summary goes on to say that a short time after this altercation, a juvenile who was involved in the brawl arrived at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. @TheDMVLive on Twitter obtained video that appears to show the moment when the gun was fired in the school parking lot.

BoBaPop Tea Bar coming soon to Aspen Hill

BoBaPop Tea Bar is expanding to Aspen Hill. The bubble tea chain has leased a space at the Aspen Hill Shopping Center at 13661 Connecticut Avenue. Construction is expected to begin in a few weeks. While there are many boba tea shops in Montgomery County, Aspen Hill is a veritable bubble tea desert, so BoBaPop should get a good reception in the community. The chain has existing Montgomery County locations in Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Popular menu items include their tiger-striped Brown Sugar Black Milk Tea, Grapefruit Guava Tea, and a Chocolate Oreo Slush.

KaFean Koffee moving to Wheaton

It looks like KaFean Koffee is switching malls in Montgomery County. Their coffee kiosk recently closed at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. But look what's popping up here at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall. A kiosk with a KaFean Koffee sign! KaFean Koffee serves coffee from the Austrian coffee roaster Julius Meinl. Their kiosk also has a Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. When it opens, look for KaFean Koffee on Level 2 of the mall, near Kokee Tea.

Montgomery County orders closure of convenience store in Silver Spring

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services has ordered the closure of a convenience store in downtown Silver Spring. Hakim 1 Stop Shop at 8433 Georgia Avenue has been shut down by HHS inspectors under Montgomery County Code Chapter 15, Section 15-16(b), which reads as follows:

When it is imperative to preserve the immediate health and safety of the community, the [HHS] director may summarily revoke or suspend a license without the notice prescribed in subsection (a), and may direct that the facility be closed to the public until the hazard is corrected. 

The store only recently opened in March. Once code violations are corrected, and the corrections are approved by inspectors, Hakim 1 Stop Shop will be able to reopen. One positive update about the business is that a sign in the window now says it is open 24 hours a day, a rare thing in Montgomery County in recent years.

New book drop at Takoma Park Library

There's a new book drop at the Takoma Park Library at 101 Philadelphia Avenue. It is located to the left of the main entrance. Patrons are asked to only insert books for return into the slot. CDs and other fragile media and materials should be returned in person at the front desk. The book drop, of course, is open and accessible 24 hours a day. Library operating hours are now 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Friday through Sunday.

Allium Place apartments burglarized in Silver Spring, vehicles stolen from complex

Montgomery County police responded to a report of a burglary at the Allium Place apartments at 4024 Gannon Road in Silver Spring on April 13, 2026. The burglary was reported at 12:55 PM. Officers responding to the scene found evidence of forced entry. They also discovered that a set of keys were stolen from an office area, which were used to steal a vehicle belonging to the complex. Police describe the suspect only as a Hispanic male of unknown age.

Three days later, another vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot on April 16. Police believe that vehicle was taken sometime between 5:00 and 7:00 AM that morning. They have no suspect description in that case. If you have any information about either of these incidents that could assist detectives in closing these cases, call police at (301) 279-8000.

Assailant chokes victim to unconsciousness inside Wheaton Plaza

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an aggravated assault at Westfield's Wheaton Plaza mall yesterday afternoon, April 23, 2026. At 2:56 PM Thursday, a suspect placed a victim in a chokehold inside a store at the mall. The victim temporarily lost consciousness as a result. While the suspect then fled the store, he was ultimately detained outside the mall by police.

Armed robbery in Four Corners area of Silver Spring

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a grocery store in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring yesterday morning, April 22, 2026. An alleged shoplifter was confronted by employees at the Safeway store at 116 University Boulevard West at 11:51 AM Wednesday. The suspect then threatened the employees with an unspecified weapon, police say, and fled the store with merchandise. Officers were able to locate the suspect a short time later, and made an arrest. Police did not identify the suspect.