Gas pumps installed at Royal Farms in Montgomery Hills

Gas pumps have been installed at the future Royal Farms in Montgomery Hills. The convenience store and mega gas station continues to take shape at 9475 Georgia Avenue, very close to the Capital Beltway interchange. Not much progress has been made on the convenience store building, by contrast. The regional chain has not given a target opening date for this location yet, but I do not see any job listings for it on their website as of this writing, so we'd be lucky if this store opens by late 2025 based on the current state of construction.

Royal Farms update from Montgomery Hills (Photos)

Construction continues to slowly progress on the future Royal Farms convenience store and mega gas station at 9475 Georgia Avenue in Montgomery Hills, just south of the Capital Beltway interchange. In just over a month since my last update, the convenience store building remains just a framework at the rear of the lot. Cinderblocks have been laid for wall segments in a few spots. The primary work that appears to have been done is to fill in the areas that had been excavated for the installation of fuel tanks, and to pour a significant part of the concrete surface of the gas station.

Royal Farms taking form in Montgomery Hills (Photos)

The Royal Farms convenience store and mega gas station are taking structural form in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring. Located on the site of a demolished gas station at 9475 Georgia Avenue, the new operation will have the lucrative "last gas" positioning for drivers heading north to get on the Capital Beltway. As you can see in the photos below, the framework of the store building is now standing, and the mega gas station canopy has been erected. You can also see the gas tanks installed below ground level.

Royal Farms to open Silver Spring location

Royal Farms was the first mega-gas-station-convenience store to open in Montgomery County, beating competitors Wawa and Sheetz to the punch when it opened its Gaithersburg location in 2022. Ironically, it is now the last of the three to announce its second MoCo location. That will be at 9475 Georgia Avenue, in the Montgomery Hills area of Silver Spring, a prime "last gas" location just before the ramps onto the Capital Beltway. 

A Montgomery County construction permit for the new Royal Farms has been posted, but the location does not yet appear on the "Coming Soon!" section of the Maryland chain's website. There's a gas station on the property already, which will be demolished to make way for the Royal Farms. Expect an increase in the number of gas pumps, and wonderful fried chicken aromas.

From Crown Wigs to Crown Beer & Wine in Silver Spring

Here's a bankshot of a change in business concept. Crown Wigs closed last year at 8233 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. Now a beer & wine sales license has been approved for Crown Beer & Wine at the same address. Their off-sale license only permits the sale of sealed containers of alcoholic beverages, which cannot be consumed on-site. The shop will also serve as a convenience store, as noted on the blue awning.

Armed robbery at White Oak 7-Eleven store

Montgomery County police were called to a 7-Eleven in the White Oak area of Silver Spring late Saturday night, January 6, 2024, after an armed robbery was reported there. The robbery was reported at the 7-Eleven at 12257 Tech Road at 11:10 PM Sunday.

Armed robbery at Wheaton convenience store

Montgomery County police responded to a report of an armed robbery at a Wheaton convenience store early yesterday morning, March 2, 2022. The robbery was reported at a store in the 11400 block of Georgia Avenue at 4:40 AM, according to crime data. There is a 7-Eleven on that block.

DoorDash to bring DashMart convenience store service to Montgomery County

DashMart items awaiting orders via
virtual convenience store service

Montgomery County DoorDash users will get access to the company's DashMart convenience store service in the coming months. Much like the "ghost kitchens" that serve a variety of menus from one restaurant - or a remote kitchen that isn't in a restaurant at all - DashMart functions as a ghost convenience store. DoorDash drivers will pick up your order from a central warehouse in Rockville, including anything from milk and eggs to ice cream, soda and potato chips. DashMart also partners with local businesses who wish to sell their packaged food items, artisan wares and home goods through the delivery service.

Photo courtesy DoorDash

7-Eleven closes in downtown Silver Spring (Photos)

Here's something that rarely happens, at least in Montgomery County: A 7-Eleven store closing. The 7-Eleven at 8202 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring has permanently closed. Signage has been removed from the facade, and from the signpost near the intersection. Windows are papered over, and all that remains inside are the built-in refrigerator cases at the rear of the store. I'm told the space is now on the market for lease.

Old Hertz rental car office in Silver Spring to become convenience store

A former Hertz rental car office at 8203 Georgia Avenue is about to get new life. The space is being taken over by a new convenience store retail business selling groceries and tobacco products, among other general merchandise. This spot was most recently home to a wig store, which closed last fall.