Silverspringism

The 2010 Resolution Breaking, Ultimate Sugar High (Candy Store has opened in the Old Building that I last remember as being an Army Recruiting Station:
8408 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, Downtown 20910

The smell inside the shop is intoxicating.  They make the candy in the building, fresh, no preservatives.  You can watch it being made.  If you are old enough to remember the candy sold exclusively at Woodward and Lothrup "Woodies" stores in Wheaton Plaza, Montgomery Mall, Chevy Chase and the original Downtown Woodies you are probably going to be in nostalgia heaven when you taste it.  The caramels are out of this world, even if you are not a "candy person".   Velatis has a history of candy making that goes back over 150 years starting in Richmond, Va during the civil war and in Washington, DC from a shop opened in 1866.  Their history is so interesting it is worth the read, as are the testimonials from people all over the DC area.  They plan to add ice cream to the menu at the shop and are having a Grand Opening in March.  Stop by and buy some caramels, you will not be disappointed!  Happy Sugar High!

Somewhere in Silver Spring . . . . the skeleton house was my pick for the best Halloween Display I saw this year. 

My photos do not do it justice because they are taken in the daytime.  There are skulls mounted on the gutters with fire spewing out of them (at night) like funeral pyres.  Still can't figure out how they did that?

At night this yard really looks like a graveyard with skeletons hanging in trees, coffins, sitting in chairs, hanging from the highest window, sprawled on the ground in pieces. Someone is very talented and would be super at settting scenes.


Now that we are into November that means the annual Montgomery County Thanksgving Parade is aroung the corner.  The Parade takes place on the weekend before Thanksgiving, Saturday November 21st this year. 
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Save the Date for the event that heralds the beginning of the Holiday Season!
Downtown Silver Spring on Georgia Avenue from Sligo to Silver Plaza on Ellsworth Drive to Fenton Street.

There will be Marching Bands, including the Redskins Marching Band and many High Schools from around the county, Macy's Parade type Balloons, floats, vintage cars, dogs, horses, ethnic dancing groups, police groups and fire trucks with Isiah Leggett as the grand marshall this year.

The Silver Spring Regional Center is looking for volunteer help with the Parade: 
We need volunteers for the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade to act as balloon handlers- leading the giant Macy-like Thanksgiving balloons and dressing up in costumes to be on the floats. Also, we need assistance with set-up and break-down. 

This opportunity is great for Groups!
Small Grp: 3-10: YES
Medium Grp: 10-25: YES
Large Grp: 25-50: YES
X-Large Grp: 50+: YES

The hours are from 7:30am to 1:30pm (you need to be present the whole time) on Saturday, November 21. Dress warmly, as you will be outside. You should try and wear black as your outside layer color. Once you arrive, you will be assigned a position and given directions about your volunteer job. Volunteers meet at the new fire station at 8110 Georgia Avenue.  If you or your group is up for this Contact:
Elizabeth Gallauresi     301-793-2928     egallauresi@themodernmuse.com

Updated 1920's Silver Spring Bungalow on a large terraced, privacy fenced lot in Downtown Silver Spring with a floorplan that includes a big front porch, living and dining rooms, a cozy fireplace, 3 bedrooms, full bath and a large walkout basement.

Super Location - Inside the Beltway and a 1.5 Miles from the New Silver Spring Transit Center METRO Station or Takoma Park METRO

Close by is the recently renovated Takoma Park Town Hall and Old Town Takoma - with the ever popular Takoma COOP, Farmers Market, local theater productions, parades, street fairs and festivals throughout the year. 

Also within walking distance is The New "Silver Sprung" or  Downtown Silver Spring with a host of restaurants, shopping, Town Center, entertainment, American Film Institute, Discovery Channel Headqarters, NOAA Headguarters and the New Expanded Campus of Montgomery College. 

The new Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza (open public space with a pavilion for summer concert series, and ice-skating rink in the winter)are under construction and set to open next year.  Beautiful Sligo Creek Park with playgrounds, picnic areas, tennis & basketball courts, hiking, biking and over 10 miles of paved hard surface trails - starts just 1/2 block away!

410 Silver Spring Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910  - $339,000


         See Interior Photos and much more at this property's website:  www.SilverSpringAve.com

South Silver Spring is triangular shaped and is bounded by Newell Street and Blair Mill Road on the northwest, the B&O Railroad right-of-way on the east and the District of Columbia line on the southwest. The South Silver Spring area is a part of the Silver Spring Central Business District (CBD). It is a combination of small scale commercial buildings and a scattering of high rise office buildings. After years of decay, South Silver Spring is being transformed into an exciting mixed use neighborhood with high tech businesses, arts oriented enterprises, new restaurants and over 1,000 new housing units. The new housing is the result of several large, adaptive re-use projects and several new residential development.

South Silver Spring is the Ultimate Walkable Neighborhood - You can live practically car-free!

Run errands in no time, including a Giant, CVS, dry cleaners.  Shop Organic at nearby Whole Foods Market and a weekly Farmer's Market (May to October).  Explore more than 100 restaurants, from fine dining to cheap eats - including highly rated favorites Ray's the Classics, Jackie's Restaurant, and Ceviche. Take in a movie at the American Film Institute's Silver Theatre and cultural center.

Bike and hike on the Capital Crescent Trail, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and the Silver Spring Green Trail.  Work out at Gold's Gym, Washington Sports Club, LA Fitness, or Curves.

Condominums in South Silver Spring are prized for their accessibility to Metro and their lower price tag as compared to DC.

                   Check out these real estate market reports for condominiums in South Silver Spring:

                                                          The Aurora 

                                                                             8045 at Silver Spring Metro

                                                                             The Mica

                                                                             The Silverton

      Keep up to date on the prices, market changes and trends in Silver Spring and Takoma Park, Md with  
              "Real Time" Market Stats, Charts and Statistics for the different areas of Silver Spring

                         Search all Condo's for Sale in the Downtown Silver Spring Area zip code 20910

There is a "new" pharmacy in the old Moto Photo storefront (next to Next Day Blinds) in the Whole Foods/Strosniders Shopping Center.  Upscale Care Rx has moved here from the Crescent Condos Location on the "crazy busy" part of Wayne Avenue.  It's way easier to get to now.

The Director, Dawit Tsegaye says "we have been very pleased" with this move and the traffic this week.

He looks forward to being able to hire people to work at the new store including pharmacy technicians and students.

There is more merchandise in this new location, such as greeting cards, hosiery, hair brushes, chapstick and other items you would normally find at a small mom and pop corner drugstore. 

Upscale Care RX carries conventional as well as homeopathic medications. 

They will flavor medications for your children or you, if needed, at no extra charge. 

Upscale Care has FREE delivery.   

What other Drugstore or Pharmacy in Silver Spring has this type of unique, friendly personalized service?

New Address

821 Wayne Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 585-9005

Enchanting, Storybook English Cottage in coveted Downtown Silver Spring neighborhood of Seven Oaks-Evanswood. This home exudes whimsy, romance and charm from the welcoming front porch to the patio in the privacy fenced back yard. The home combines the coziness of a fireplace, high ceilings and rich, warm hardwood floors to the rare and charming 1920's period details. . . .Just waiting for your roses!

Sell the car and Save Gas! You can walk everywhere from this house. It's just a short stroll to Silver Spring METRO station, Whole Foods, Safeway, playgrounds, urban parks, Beautiful Sligo Creek Park, the library, the Silver Theatre/American Film Institute, NOAA, Discovery Communications Headquarters and all of the shopping, restaurants and entertainment of revitalized and vibrant Downtown Silver Spring.

The new Civic Building and Veterans Plaza with open public space, a pavilion for the summer concert series and ice-skating rink in the winter, is scheduled to open in 2009.

Downtown Silver Spring is rated #1 in the state of Maryland for walkability! This ultimate walk-able neighborhood has the perfect combination of urban and suburban life!

                  Check out this Property's Interior Photos and More Info at www.MayfairPl.com

Built between 1999 and 2000, located at Colesville Road and Ramsey Street, in the heart of downtown Silver Spring, Cameron Hill is an established neighborhood featuring 57 EYA townhomes across the street from the Silver Spring Metro. This small enclave with a very unique group of Luxury Townhomes with garages, has a Georgetown Flair.  Cameron Hill is an easy stroll to downtown Silver Spring and all of the restaurants, shopping, and theaters. 

2007 Sales
5 SOLD Listings
Average List Price - $673,400
Average Sold Price - $652,000 
Average Days on Market - 100

2008 Sales
Only 2 SOLD Listings
Average List Price - $624,950
Average Sold Price - $565,000
Average Days on Market - 23

YTD 2009 Sales
3 Sold Listings
Average List Price - $639,966
Average Sold Price - $629,667 
Average Days on Market - 31
       

Want to live in a Town House in Downtown Silver Spring?

Search all Townhomes Available for Sale in the Downtown Silver Spring Area - 20910  
      
      

I have finally found the best Sushi in Silver Spring!  I am very picky about my sushi, for years I would drive to Bethesda or have to head up the dreaded (crowded, congested with a traffic light every 1/4 mile) Rockville Pike to have sushi, because there was no place to get it in Silver Spring.  For a while, a sushi place opened up in Downtown Silver Spring, it was, to say the least, horrible sushi and a kinda scary place.  I don't remember the name of it because it was gone in less than a year. 

I was delighted when Whole Foods got Sushi and that's were I've been getting it until about 5 months ago.  I have been back to test the sushi in this place for the past 5 months and it has been consistently fresh and better than I remember having in the best Bethesda or
DC sushi bar.  You can also get it delivered!  It is way
better than the sushi at Whole Foods (no offense,
Whole Foods I still couldn't live with out you all) and
another big perk is that it is LESS EXPENSIVE than
Whole Foods or a restaurant in
Bethesda.

The place is Spring Garden Restaurant -  They also serve pretty good Chinese Food.  They recently remodeled the restaurant a put in the separate jazzy new sushi bar.  If you are picky about your sushi - stop by and enjoy.

                       Market Report on New Silver Spring Condominiums (Those built in 2003 and after) 
 
                                        Including The Silverton, Cresent, and Aurora Condominiums       

           Sales Activity for the month of July 2007 

19 Active Listings  Currently ranging in price from $279,500 to $589,900 
Average List Price for Active Listings - $422,332
Average Time on the Market for Active Listings - 79 Days

2 Listings with Contracts 
Average List Price for Listings with Pending Contract - $344,995
Average Time on Market for Pending Listings - 129 Days

10 Listings were Withdrawn or Expired (Taken Off) the Market in July
Average Price of Withdrawn or Expired Listings was $400,262
Average days on the Market for Expired or Withdrawn Lisitngs - 60 Days

There were No Listings that Closed in July 
        
* All information and photo from Metropolitan Regional Information Services - MRIS

                                             Elegant Story Book  House in for Sale in Downtown Silver Spring!

Enchanted 3 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bathroom Cape Cod within walking distance to Silver Spring METRO, 3 Beautiful Parks and all that is new and exciting in Downtown Silver Spring! Private Garage Parking in Rear Alley! Gorgeous Back yard with white picket fence, Deck , Hot Tub and Water Feature. Sumptuous "Knock Your Socks Off" Master Bedroom Suite with 2 Walk-in Closets and huge Master Bathroom! One of a kind "Ship Shape" Finished Lower Level with Cool Media/Game Room, Large Screen TV, Delightful LaundryRoom, Workshop and Half Bathroom. Built in 1933 this house retains the charm of sought after architectural details, such as the acorn wrought iron pattern on the front porch to the hardwood floors and fireplace that are original to the house. The Neighborhood is Vibrant and delightful to live in, with it's Quiet, Old, Shady tree-lined streets and access to the amenities offered by the recent revitalization of Downtown Silver Spring.

                               Tons of Interior Photos and Detailed Information at this Property's Website 

Oldie But Goodie for Sale in Downtown Silver Spring

                     OLD HOUSE Lovers Wanted!

Vintage 1930's 4 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Tudor style house within walking distance to Silver Spring METRO, 3 Beautiful Parks and all that is new and exciting in Downtown Silver Spring! Private Garage Parking in Rear Alley. Gorgeous fenced corner lot with large old trees, including an old magnolia,lilac,azaleas and a fig tree. The Dayight lower level Suite has a 2nd Kitchen, Dining Area, Bedroom and Huge Full Bath.

Built in 1933 and Located in Robert H. Mc Neills Addition to Silver Spring Park, this house retains the charm of sought after architectural details, such as the slate hip roof, palladium windows, sweet screened front porch, hardwood floors and fireplace that are original to the house. Upper level would make a super kid's room or great artist's loft with its large windows and perfect Northern light! The Neighborhood is Vibrant and delightful to live in, with Quiet, Old, Shady tree-lined streets and access to the amenities offered by the recent revitalization of Downtown Silver Spring. 

                                       For more photos and information about this house click here

This email was on my neighborhood's List Serve, I am personally for it, How about you?. . . . . . . . .  .  . . . . 

This was on Silver Spring Moms - I thought I'd pass it onto others: Though I'm not usually one for big chains, given the loss of Storehouse and IA ETC, this might be a good addition to our neighborhood- and help anchor even more stores. If you're so inclined.........
Posted by: "http://us.f382.mail.yahoo.com/ym/compose?to=" loganneighbors Fri Apr 6, 2007 7:08 am (PST) Once again, I need your help. I'm trying to help with an e-mail campaign to bring Crate & Barrel to Silver Spring. Rumor has it they they are considering it. We've managed to find the e-mail address for the real estate consultant they are using, and we're asking that you 1) send some version of the message below to him and 2) that you circulate this or some other message that you write to your friends, neighbors, listservs, colleagues to get them to write as well.You may recall that we had at least some impact on bringing DSW here - so let's try again. Thanks for your support. The e-mail address is: http://us.f382.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jjosephs%40mmrs.com
 
Dear Mr. Josephs: I understand that you are one of the real estate consultants for Crate & Barrel.  I've heard that Crate &Barrel has contemplated opening a store in downtown Silver Spring. I'm writing because I believe that Crate & Barrel would make a great addition to our downtown and - more importantly from your point of view - that the store would make a killing here. I will shop there regularly and so will my friends, family and neighbors.

By the way, I heard that our local Whole Foods is the highest grossing Whole Foods on the East Coast. You might want to check out the veracity of that since it might give you some perspective on how well Crate & Barrel would do here. If there is something more I can do to impress upon you how ready for a Crate & Barrel Silver Spring is, please let me know. I'm really looking forward to spending lots of time and money in the new Crate & Barrel in Downtown Silver Spring.

The Corner of Noyes & Georgia Avenue (just north of the Downtown Silver Spring CBD)
is expecting a New Developement of 23 Townhouses and 3 Restored Historic Houses. 
The builder Joseph Alefandre built homes in the award-winning neotraditional new urbanist community of the "Kentlands" in Gaithersburg, Md.
 
On a much smaller scale than the Kentlands, and using the already in place ammenties of Downtown Silver Spring, the development includes 6 existing Properties consiting of 1 lot and 5 Houses.
 
The exisitng homes at 1403 Noyes Drive and 8918 Georgia Avenue will be preserved in their existing locations.  The exsiting home at 8922 Georgia Avenue will be preserved and relocated on the property to front on Noyes Drive. 
Zoning Application was granted by the Montgomery County Council in October of 2004.
  
The Details of the Courts of Woodside developement are:
 
Density- 9.7 du/acre, 26 units (23 townhomes and 3 single family detatched)

Green Area- 60% Minimum (gross tract area)

Building Coverage- 25% Maximum (gross tract area)

Parking and Access- Owner and guest parking will be provided entirely on site, and not accessed from Georgia Avenue.



The Homes will be sold by Long and Foster Realtors  The Courts of Woodside  Website shows rendering of the townhomes and  the layout of the planned developement.



Thinking of Buying or Selling a Property in Silver Spring
or Takoma Park?  For a Free Detailed Market Snapshot

Visit    www.ssmarketsnapshot.com


Search all new construction in close-in Silver Spring

Proposed Condo/Apartment Building at 814 Thayer Avenue - Currently an Office Building (Accross from Silver Spring Towers Apartments) will be a 5 story 52 Unit Residential Building - Units will be 1 or 2 Bedroom - Some will have a mezzanine. Expected Prices are to be less than $450,000.  The developers are not sure how many or if any units will be for rent.  The designers are considering the location as a "transistional site" between the commercial buildings of the Fenton Street Village and the adjoining residential area.  The building facade along Thayer Ave. will be pointed, with extensive glass panelling, the building will be set back from the street, and have a small plaza featuring chess tables, plus trees & ornamental plants.  The current building on the site was once home to the National Association of the Deaf & the National Association of the Deaf and Blind, to commemorate this the new building will have Braille on the exterior surface, plus other tributes to these associations. There will be only be 37 parking spaces for this Building. This Building design is Conceptual and not Final, at this time. The East Silver Spring Citizens Association heard about this proposed development at their January Meeting.  

For the February meeting the East Silver Spring Citizens Association will hear from the Attorney for the developers of the site on the southeast corner of Silver Spring Avenue and Fenton Street. (currently a Parking Lot - Just a block away from the 814 Thayer Ave Site)  There is a  94 Unit Residential Project proposed.  This project will be either Condominiums or Apartments.  Residents in East Silver Spring have some valid concerns about traffic and parking, in and around an already busy, crowded, way too narrow Fenton Street. Hpefully these projects will be as nice and enjoy the same success as Loft 24 on the corner of Bonifant and Fenton Street.

With all the new developement in Downtown Silver Spring, more development expected, and the fact that we are expecting 2,000 to 3,000 more residents in the next 2 years there is a concern that our green spaces and parks will dwindle.

As a dog owner I went looking for a dog park near my home in downtown Silver Spring. There are only 2 in Montgomery County:Wheaton & Germantown. I went to the closest in Wheaton. I was astounded to find 35-40 dogs and their owners in a 1/2 acre fenced lot with gravel and a few trees and picnic tables. People had come from all over Montgomery County - Bethesda, North Potomac, Rockville, East Silver Spring, South Silver Spring and Woodside. The dogs were having a blast. My own pup hardly ever sees other dogs and had a great time socializing.

Dog parks are becoming very popular and are obviously needed and wanted in our county - Dogs that are socialized well are less likely to be a nuisance or threat to public safety - WE NEED MORE Dog Parks!

"Get ready for a mouth-watering, lip-smacking week of great food from Silver Spring restaurants!  Join us February 5-11 for Silver Spring Restaurant Week. Co-sponsored by Downtown Silver Spring, the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, the Silver Spring Regional Center and The Washington Post, Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to dine out. Enjoy Silver Spring Restaurant Week at your "tried and true" or somewhere new.

Participating restaurants will feature prix fixe lunch ($12) and dinner ($22 or $30) menus from Monday, February 5 to Sunday, February 11. In addition to these exclusive Restaurant Week menus, most participating restaurants will also offer standard fare at regular prices. Some restaurants may require reservations during Restaurant Week, so please call ahead"

Participating Restaurants and Meal Prices:

- Addis Ababa Ethiopian Restaurant -8233 Fenton St.: Lunch $12 Dinner $22
- Asian Bistro - 8537 Georgia Ave.: Dinner $30
- Austin Grill - 919 Ellsworth Dr.: Dinner $30
- Capital Bleu - 8727 Colesville Road: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Ceviche - 921-J Ellsworth Dr.: Dinner $30
- Crisfield Seafood Restaurant - 8012 Georgia Ave.: Lunch $12
- Cubano's - 1201 Fidler Lane: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- El Aguila Restaurant - 8649 16th St.: Lunch $12 Dinner $22 and $30
- El Nopalito Grill - 2259 Bel Pre Road: Lunch $12 Dinner $22
- Gallery Restaurant & Lounge - 1115 East West Highway: Dinner $30
- Golden Flame Restaurant - 8630 Fenton St.: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Jackie's Restaurant - 8081 Georgia Ave.: Dinner $30
- McGinty's Public House - 911 Ellsworth Dr.: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Mi Rancho - 8701 Ramsey Ave.: Lunch $12 (Mon-Fri only)
- Mrs. K's Toll House - 9201 Colesville Road: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- redDog Cafe - 8301 A Grubb Road: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Red Lobster - 8533 Georgia Ave.: Dinner $30
- Redrock Canyon Grill - 928 Ellsworth Ave.: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Sergio Ristorante Italiano - 8727 Colesville Road: Lunch $12
- Spring Garden Restaurant - 8613 16th St.: Lunch $12 Dinner $22
- Taste of Jerusalem - 8123 Georgia Ave.: Lunch $12 Dinner $30
- Taste of Morocco - 8661 Colesville Road: Lunch $12 Dinner $22
- Thai at Silver Spring - 921-E Ellsworth Dr.: Lunch $12 Dinner $30

                                            More Information at http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/

50 New Condominiums were Sold in Downtown Silver Spring, MD from January 2006 to the present. Over 75% of these were Sellers that bought before the Building was started and never moved in. Statistics are taken from the Metropolitan Regional Information Services for Realtors. The MRIS shows only those Sales that went through Real Estate Brokers.  The MRIS does not show private sales or all of the Sales that went through the Original Builder.

23 - 1 Bedroom Condos were SOLD - The average List (Asking) Price for a One Bedroom was $327,877 and the Average SOLD Price was $326,586. The average time a one bedroom took to sell was 41 Days (not bad! considering the current market place)

27 - 2 Bedroom Condos were SOLD - The average List (Asking) Price for a two Bedroom was $409,742 and the Average SOLD Price was $404,999 The average time on the market for a Two Bedroom was 35 Days (again, really good considering the market!)

Click here to Search all active resale condos in Downtown Silver Spring 
(Located Inside the beltway - zip 20910)

THE LIST OF PLANNED and COMING SOON Condominiums for Downtown Silver Spring