The Penguin newsroom’s three-day staycation gave its reporters an opportunity to catch what’s shaking (or not shaking) Silver Spring.
Elvis! (or not)
Penguin photog Ron Pace spotted The King holding court at the Silver Spring Metro station on Saturday. However, Silver Spring residents have seen that gyrating pelvis before.
The gig was part of Metro Performs!, a series of free performances dropping all summer long. Not sure if Britney or Brangelina are on that lineup, but Penguin Ron is ready with the camera.
Puppies! (or not)
The pet boutique Living Ruff is opening in downtown Silver Spring, sandwiched between the Bank of America and Marimekko on Georgia Avenue. The store’s website guesstimates a spring or summer opening.
A peek through strategically placed holes in the window covering reveals bright red and yellow walls, and hardwood floors. All it needs is a service counter.
Anniversary! (for sure)
Bombay Gaylord, downtown’s original Indian groove, celebrates its tenth anniversary Tuesday afternoon (today) with a visit from MoCo exec Ike Leggett (D).
According to a county press statement, the restaurant opened on Georgia Avenue at Bonifant Street back in the day, before downtown Silver Spring became Downtown Silver Spring. Its dining room got a fresh coat of paint last year, and the owner has renewed his lease for another ten years.
Done (for damned sure)
Letty’s Latin American Grill closed its doors for good earlier this month, according to Gary Stith, director of the Silver Spring Regional Center.
Stith did not say why the small Colesville Road eatery called it quits, nor did he indicate what would be replacing it.
Updated on May 27, 2008, at 12:30 p.m.
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It closed because it is on Skid Row and everything there will fail eventually until they fix it up.
Has anyone ever eaten at Letty’s? I never got the chance to put it through the wringer.
If Letty’s is on “Skid Row,” then why has De Marco, located several doors away, managed to survive for twenty plus years?
I’ve always maintained that a “pet boutique” is the first sign that a neighborhood has truly gone yuppie. However, the Web site for Living Ruff seems to be focused on the health and well-being of pets, rather than gourmet dog cookies and tiaras for your chihuahua. Should hopefully be a nice addition to the neighborhood– I’ve often thought it would be useful to have a good pet store nearby. I’m tired of giving my money to Petsmart.
Re: De Marco
I guess the exception proves the rule.
My pugs say: Hey, don’t knock gourmet dog cookies within walking distance!
But – sounds a lot like the place in Takoma Park, the Big Bad Woof. I wonder if there’s enough business to support them both, so close together.
I absolutely adore the Big Bad Woof in Takoma Park. The selection of holistic/natural food is unmatched in the DC area.
Hoping that the new dog store tackles a different market such as gourmet dog cookies, pet furniture, clothes, accessories (toy dog collars and leashes), toys, etc., kind of like AKA Spot in Arlington.
Big Bad Woof
Living Ruff
Is it mandatory for a dog store to have a name that is a play on some dog-related term?
Of course, the best of these is “Doggy Style” in Adams Morgan.
STAYCATION – love it! This is the first I have heard of the word. Jen, did you come up with that or is it already in the lexicon? That’s exactly what I did and a brilliant noun for it.
Editor’s note: Can’t take credit for that one. CNN’s Wolf Blitzer (or some other broadcast newsperson) used the term first. — JD (May 28, 2008)
Oh God…Living Ruff–a shiny new boutique pet store for the yuppie crowd.
I should change my screen name to IHatePuppies.
Interesting article in the Washington Post today about the economic divide between western and eastern Montgomery County. Silver Spring is in the land of the Have-Nots. Who knew?
I’m very happy to hear about the Living Ruff store. Based on their website they seem to truly care about companion animals. Even better, they will only be selling pet supplies, and not animals themselves. It’s a terrific alternative to the big pet stores that contribute to the surplus pets problem or worse, neglect the animals in their care.
A pet store with a community-based focus that sells holistic products within walking distance – outstanding! It’s nice to see something serving a different need beyond hair salons, chain-food shops, niche-food shops, and coffee shops.
Plus, with their focus on adoption of animals, I’m not sure they qualify as something for the Yuppie Crowd IHY. The yuppie crowd is more likely to visit a store selling $2000 teacup yorkies.
They still have dog stores that sell animals???
The Yuppie crowd are just as likely as the next to adopt their animals… Read the profile of the owners opening up Living Ruff, as yuppie as they come with a strong desire to help out animals in need.
What is up with bashing “yuppies” in Silver Spring blogs, something to aspire to? What’s the alternative IHatePoorPeople?
Editor’s note: This comment has been deleted. — JD (Jun 24, 2008)
Somehow having a pet store walking distance doesn’t help me much. One of the few things we buy regularly are 40 lbs bags of dog food. Can’t walk home with that!