There’s plenty of action rocking The District this week and next, but some of downtown Silver Spring’s businesses have their own party plans in place.
Late last week, a cabal of big and small businesses (above, including The Penguin) pulled together gift packets full o’ special deals for Inauguration visitors holed up in Silver Spring. Coupons are required to score some discounts. (The speedy and stealthy can horde those coupons from downtown’s roving information kiosk.) Other discounts fly to anyone and everyone.
Here’s what local businesses are doing to hook people up:
- Kefa Cafe (963 Bonifant St) — Hit it on Jan 17 or Jan 20 wearing some slick Obama, USA or Silver Spring gear, and the sister baristas will cook up a 16-oz cup of joe and a muffin for $4.44. If you prefer their cocoa over coffee, score a 44-cent break. Your patriotism is your coupon.
- CakeLove (935 Ellsworth Dr) — Buy three cupcakes, get the fourth one free until Jan 31, 2009. The people behind the counter will even spare you the “wait 15 minutes before you eat it” speech. Cake lovers might need to flash a coupon (keyword: might).
- Across The Street Cafe (8622 Colesville Rd) — Management hits you with a free glass of house wine and hors d’oeuvres when you buy an entree between Jan 16 to Jan 20, 2009. Check out the kitchen’s Obama Steak or the Biden Burger.
- Fuddruckers (819 Ellsworth Dr) — The burger joint cuts 10 percent off your entire check, but this deal drops only at the Silver Spring location. Don’t try to pull this crap in Rockville. And you might (keyword: might) need a coupon.
- Metamorphosis (811 Wayne Ave) — For those getting dolled up for an inaugural ball, this women’s fashion shop cuts you a $44 discount off any one regularly priced item of $150 or more until Jan 31, 2009. You might need a coupon (keyword: might), and the deal can’t be combined with other discounts, or used on stuff you bought yesterday or on layaway. Furthermore, the sweet discount means that sale is final.
- Sabroso Grill (8624 Colesville Rd) — Score a quarter grilled chicken with two sides and a fountain soda for $4.44, or catch a break of 44 percent off any dessert or drink worth at least $4. Mmm … pollo y platanos! A coupon might be required (keyword: might).
- Whole Foods Market (833 Wayne Ave) — Get $2 off a $20 purchase. Easy enough. However, you’ll need the actual coupon, which works only at Whole Foods’ Silver Spring location. Don’t try to pull this shit in The District.
- Caribou Coffee (1316 East-West Hwy) — Coupon holders get a free drink — any size (read: extra large), any kind (read: with whipped cream, a double shot of hazelnut syrup, and whatever other frou-frou will fit in the cup). But you must have that coupon.
- Chaubara Fashion Studio (8711 First Ave) — Score a $44 break in this slick sari shop when you buy any one thing worth at least $100. You’ll need a coupon, and all sales are final.
- Auntie Anne’s (City Place Mall) — Two tasty pretzels ring up at $4.44 when you flash the required coupon.
- Subway (City Place Mall) — Get a free value meal with any footlong sub you buy, or a free 21-oz fountain soda when you order a 6-inch sub. The coupon might be necessary (keyword: might), and this deal works only at the City Place location. Don’t try to pull this crap on Colesville Road, Wayne Avenue or on 13th Street.
- Piratz Tavern (8402 Georgia Ave) — The house wench serves dinner for two for $44. That’s one app, two entrees and two desserts. The bar also pours day-long happy hour specials starting this Friday.
- Langano Ethiopian Restaurant (8305 Georgia Ave) — The kitchen cooks up specials under $7, including a carnivore’s kitfo sandwich for $4.35, and a vegetarian combo for $6.95. Just ask for the inaugural menu.
- Nicaro (8229 Georgia Ave) — The bar kicks out day-long happy hour specials on Jan 20, and a three-course tasting menu at dinner for $35. Hit it. It’s good eats.
- Jackie’s (8081 Georgia Ave) — This Thursday, the bar slings $4.40 Obamatinis, and the kitchen does a $44 two-course dinner for two. Save your appetite for Jan 20, when the house throws an inaugural luau party, complete with a roasted pig.
- Quarry House (8401 Georgia Ave) — Downtown’s venerated dive hosts an assload of music, plus the “inaugural brawl” on Jan 20. As always, the burgers are half priced on Mondays.
- Ceviche (921 Ellsworth Dr) — Starting Sunday, the kitchen kicks out a four-course dinner with wine pairings for $44 per person. That deal rolls until next Thursday.
- Gallery Lounge (1115 East-West Hwy) — The South Silver Spring nightclub remixes things with Loda, a music and multimedia gig, on the lower and upper floors. The rump shaking goes down on Friday nights, with a $5 early-bird cover.
And if you’re wondering what’s up with the number 44 in all these deals, it’s a tip of the hat to prez-elect Barack Obama, who will be the 44th president.
Photo: Silver Spring’s Inaugural cabal stuffed coupons into plastic bags last Thursday at the Georgia Avenue regional center. Credit: J. Deseo/SSP.
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So, if I might (keyword: might) be looking for a coupon, where might (keyword: might) I best look?
Thank you for compiling this list! Minor point: I know that you have an affinity for the verb ‘drop,’ but the headline makes it sound as if the deals are being canceled or done away with. Not sayin’, just sayin’.
Editor’s note: Good point. Will fix. — JD (Jan 12, 2009)
As mentioned in the article, a few coupons will be available from the “Red Shirt” information kiosk. That thing rolls all around the downtown area, so it’s anyone’s guess as to where it is now.
However, if someone were to tell me that a coupon “might” be required, I might interpret that to mean that one might not need it. Maybe if I asked the merchant to honor the discount sans coupon, I still might score a break. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.
But that’s just me.
What, McGinty’s isn’t getting in on the fun with some good inaugural deals? I guess the owners are Republicans then?
Editor’s note: McGinty’s Public House is hosting the Takoma Park/Silver Spring inaugural ball on Jan 20. Thirty-five bucks and slick threads get you through the door. Galaxy Billiards is also hosting an inaugural party, though I’m not sure if there’s a cover charge. — JD (Jan 12, 2009)
where does that cart park itself when it’s not out on the street? i’d rather look there, than try to track it down somewhere around town on these miserably cold days…
Jennifer, the Galaxy Billiards party is $10 cover at the door (no tickets necessary) and is sponsored by Impact Silver Spring and I think other community orgs.
Editor’s note: Thanks, JB! — JD (Jan 13, 2009)
“As mentioned in the article, a few coupons will be available from the “Red Shirt” information kiosk. That thing rolls all around the downtown area, so it’s anyone’s guess as to where it is now.”
Sort of like the Brigadoon of Silver Spring?
Editor’s note: I’m in a “Lost” frame of mind right now, so I’ll relate the kiosk with The Island. No one knows where it is, but damnit, it’s there! — JD (Jan 13, 2009)
Woohoo! My man Gary Stith, director of Silver Spring’s regional center, scanned ALL of the coupons and posted them (as PDFs) on the center’s website:
Silver Spring Inaugural (SilverSpringDowntown.com)
My favorite coupon is the one for Caribou Coffee on East-West Highway. That one’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Everyone, say thanks to Gary! Maybe buy him a cup of coffee to show your appreciation.
JDeseo:
I went 2 the website and I dont see the PDFs of the coupon. Where are they? Thanks.
Editor’s note: Visit the website listed above, then click on the words that say “Click here”. Good luck. — JD (Jan 14, 2009)