Comments on: Group wants Birchmere, county to kiss and make up

By: Music hall trips over planning board’s path | The Silver Spring Penguin

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:11:44 +0000

[...] a green light last summer to feed downtown’s economic redevelopment — to the dismay of those who wanted a smaller, gentler Birchmere club on the site, as well as those who wanted a second 9:30 [...]

By: Springvale Roader

Springvale Roader — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:45:13 +0000

I agree with Chaz. SS needs some good brew pubs with great food. IMHO, a vegan foods brew pub would almost make up for the loss of the Birchmere (amost).

By: chaz

chaz — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:29:25 +0000

What we (I) really need is a gastropub, like the Standard Tap in Philly. Or a good belgian source–they just opened Granville Moore’s in DC, why can’t SS get some beer, mussels, and fries?

By: Springvale Roader

Springvale Roader — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:17:55 +0000

Foodie,

Thanks for the response. McGinty’s is okay, but being that it’s the only one of its kind in DTSS, it’s always really crowded. Besides, I don’t mind it, but my tastes run a little different from what it offers.

The fact that it’s on that hell called Ellsworth Drive doesn’t do much to help. Still, it’s a good start.

By: Silver Spring Foodie

Silver Spring Foodie — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:44:49 +0000

McGinty’s pub on Ellsworth has exactly what you’re looking for, Springvale.

By: Springvale Roader

Springvale Roader — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 20:33:19 +0000

I and my wife, and our neighbors, are late 30’s, early 40’s somethings, and we are bitterly disappointed that the Birchmere deal fell through. The Birchmere in Virginia is not just a folk and bluegrass place; it also gets rock, which is what I was looking forward to in DTSS. I would love to also see a jazz and blues venue.

I like the 9:30 Club, and I suppose something like that could work in DTSS, but there are plenty of people in my age bracket who are more attracted to the bands which play the Birchmere than those who hit the 9:30.

What I am really sick of are the glorified fast food restaurants which dominate DTSS. We could use some good pubs (which could feature live music) and restaurants whose interior decor goes beyond having tables that are easy to wipe baby puke off of (as the City Paper once put it).

Lastly, do we really need another hair styling place?

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 02:30:57 +0000

Pennster: You're correct. The planning board has nothing to do with who rents that space. However, the venue was proposed as a public amenity for the Lee development project (to be erected behind the JC Penney facade). In this case, the planning board does have say in whether an entertainment venue fulfills the developer's obligation to public-use space.

By: pennster

pennster — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:53:34 +0000

The Planning Board had nothing to do with this…they don’t negotiate deals with tenants. What the hell are you thinking?

By: johnny blaze

johnny blaze — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:21:53 +0000

Good Lord!! After reading the “Thayer Ave.” report on the Birchmere breakdown, I’m appalled that the county and state even entertained such a deal–even before Birchmere’s extravagant requests. Who do they we are over here? This is downtown Silver Spring–not Bagdad.

The county and state should rethink its entire approach to “attracting” a venue to the area. I don’t think it’s necessary to practically bribe someone to open a place here in DTSS. This is a potentially lucrative area for some entrepreneurs with the right business-sense. So, screw the Birchmere. I support Leggett, et al and their decision to hold the line on those gougers.

By: Jennifer Deseo

Jennifer Deseo — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 00:02:16 +0000

I agree with YuppieHater: Silver Spring is big enough — and diverse enough — to support plenty of music and entertainment venues.

However, the big question remains: Which venue — if any — deserves $8 million in public funds to open shop in Silver Spring?

Furthermore, exactly who determines which venue is worthy of that money?