ThayerAvenue.com

Sure, it’s only July, but we’ll need plenty of time to find costumes this year. How nice of the Halloween Adventure Costume Super Store to open up so early. Well, not open, per se, but starting their setup. It’s like seeing Christmas decorations in Target in September (which *does* happen from time to time).

In other news, there’s been a lot of East Silver Spring listserv chatter about the new Fenton Street Market going in on the parking lot at Fenton & Silver Spring Avenue. Right now it’s only slated to be open September 12 and October 3 as a sort of trial run to gauge viability. If it works, it could be a (semi)permanent fixture, until someone else comes in and pays more dough, of course. The property is owned by Fenton Group LLC, who also owns the two houses next to it. That entire area will (eventually) be the footprint for the Moda Vista Silver Spring Park development. (A good write up from our very own Ned Flanders Jerry McCoy on the subject)

The question is: Will people schlep all the way down there from the Farmers’ Market? I have a feeling the answer will be no, but I hope I’m wrong. Perhaps if some of the neighborhood boneheads would quit moaning about underground garages (it *can* be done right) and building height (increase it, for crying out loud) in the Fenton Plaza development, we could get the thing built and get more foot traffic down there.

And thank you, County Council, for another good decision: Getting rid of the footbridge.

That is all.

The Gazette has some good coverage of the Sligo Creek reuse shin dig with the Planning Board last week, calling it a “raucous, contentious hearing.” Gotta love that. And they’re right. I will reserve comments concerning what I *really* think about Keith Miller, the Executive Director of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority, and simply say he is shortsighted, at best.

According to the Gazette:

Miller said nine of the 27 holes at Northwest Golf Course on Layhill Road are geared toward less serious golfers. And First Tee of Montgomery County, a division of a nationwide program that brings golf to youth and underserved populations, is available at Sligo Creek, Laytonsville and Needwood golf courses.

Miller said First Tee will be initiated at Northwest this fall, in absence of the Sligo Creek program.

Really? That’s the best you can do? Make people drive at least 30 minutes to get what they currently have in their backyard?

I liked what I heard from Councilwoman Valerie Ervin (D-District 5), when she said there is still “room to negotiate,” but as of press time, there was still no contact on the matter between the Council and the boneheads at the Revenue Authority. Cross your fingers.

Another, less-publicized highlight of the evening: Classy t-shirts like the one on the right. Oh – and the fact that an armed member of the Park Police force took away the 6-iron I brought to the meeting. Perhaps anticipating the rowdy nature of the meeting.

In Silver Spring Historical News…
Jerry McCoy, head of our venerable Silver Spring Historical Society, is looking for the remnants of the orchard that use to reside in our very neighborhood. If anyone on Thayer, Easley or Silver Spring Avenue has old apple trees still standing on their property, please contact Jerry at sshistory@yahoo.com.

Well, it appears to be official now: The old Marimekko store is going to be ArtSpring: The Pyramid Atlantic Community Store. Great for them. Jose Dominguez is doing some fantastic stuff, and in a time where arts budgets are being cut around the country. We certainly need more of this.

The Fractured Constructed Prune
I took this through a “peephole” in the window coverings. Looks like there’s still a way to go, yet. I’ve had some people ask me about the name of the place, and where it comes from. So without making people go elsewhere, here’s a brief summary from their web site:

Back in the late 1800′s a woman named Prunella Shriek had owned much of the land in that area [Ocean City]. Tom [Parshall, who purchased Josh's 46th Street Market and founded the donut shop] didn’t think too much about it until one day he was browsing through the Baltimore Library and came across a book titled “Ocean City Love”. As he looked through it, he was thrilled to see Prunella Shriek’s name with a paragraph devoted to her.

Even though she was in her seventies, she was the only woman who competed with men in traditionally men’s sports such as ice skating races & skiing competitions. She was an excellent tennis player, and was county ping-pong champion circa 1895. Being older and somewhat brittle, she often returned from some of the more vigorous competitions in a wheel chair or on crutches. Thus the townspeople began lovingly to refer to her as “Fractured Prunella.”

And there you have it.

This morning, the market people were doing a survey and having people put dots on their answers. Interesting to see where things were about 10:30 this morning. The most interesting/amusing thing? How many people answered “Price” as the primary reason for shopping here today.

No, the shelves coming down doesn’t mean they’re going out of business. But my beloved Golf, Etc. is moving to Rockville. While, sadly, I won’t be able to walk to an indoor driving range, this means financial sustainability for Donnie, Pops, and the Gang. Parking was a bit tedious, the rent was higher than most other available places, and the nearby golf course is about to close. Pops said it’s all about getting the expense and revenue equation right. Can’t agree more.

The plan is to reopen late next week near the intersection of MD355 and Redland Road (15815 Frederick Avenue), and they’ll be going by a new name: Caddie Master Golf Service Center (www.caddiemastergsc.com). I work up that direction and will certainly be visiting them again. Best of luck.

About those donuts…
I couldn’t help but stop and drool at the menu poster at the future site of Fractured Prune. They all look really good, but I have to say it’s gonna be tough to beat the classic Krispy Kreme glazed donut fresh out of the hopper.

It seems like the news keeps flowing in da ‘hood nowadays. First of all, many of you might know that Marimekko up and left in the middle of the night from their retail spot at Georgia and Ellsworth. And the Pyramid Atlantic store on Ellsworth closed as well. Luckily, this creates a good opportunity for us.

Rumor has it (on good authority) that the Pyramid Atlantic store will be moving into the old Marimekko space. Because this is a “prime” location, Pyramid will be able to stay there until a new, full-time tenant can be found for that corner lot. No more shifting around to the retail whims of the season. As many of you know, Pyramid has had to give up their space for the Halloween store on a seasonal basis, so now that won’t be an issue.

On an equally interesting note, the Silver Spring Halloween store, operated by Spencer Gifts (surprise), is the second highest grossing store in the country. Yeah, you heard that right. At least that’s what we’ve learned here. The highest-grossing store? Times Square in New York City. Amazing, huh? Still confirming such rumors, but they appear to be true.

About that Easley Street Apartment Building…
The Silver Spring Penguin reported yesterday about many of the changes going on at the Silver Spring Towers, bounded by Easley St., Fenton St., and Thayer Avenue. To be specific, the story is titled “Easley St apartment building to get makeover.” I love the Penguin. Don’t get me wrong. They have the most dynamic, doughnut-loving, intern-friendly newsroom in the area. But it’s time for Thayer Avenue to put the smackdown on the address situation. Sure, there’s a lame, Easley Street street number, but the most important address of Silver Spring Towers is on Thayer Avenue. It says so right there: 815 Thayer Avenue.

If you don’t believe me, ask the riders of the 20 bus to and from Hillandale (and the Silver Spring metro). Where is that aluminum and glass canopy for the bus stop going? Yup – Thayer Avenue. Where did someone get shot a couple of years ago? Easley. ‘Nuff Said.

And now, for the brainstorm
Marimekko is empty. Pyramid Atlantic is moving in. I think that’s great, but eventually, DTSS management has to find a full-time tenant for that prime corner space. There’s certainly been some discussion about prospects, but let’s get serious about courting the righ retailer

• Bar/Restaurant. Then we could all live together forever, right? Frankly, I’d much rather open up the movie theater below the Golden Flame with food and drink, but something hip and trendy where people can be seen from Georgia Avenue might have its perks.
• Gelato. I think this has some teeth. Have you been to the gelato place in Bethesda? I would go out of my way and stand in line for that shit.
• Cupcakes. I have to say, I’m not on board with the trend. Maybe it’s because I haven’t had the right one(s), but the competition with CakeLove would never fly.
• Dunkin Donuts. Great idea, but between Starbucks and (the soon-to-open) Fractured Prune, I’m not sure it would work. Part of me, though, says YES.
• Apple Store. This is my first choice, but because of the pillars in the space, Apple won’t do it. End of story. And it’s probably best for my budget if it’s more difficult to get to an Apple store from my house.

Things that can and can’t work abound. Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

I’m constantly impressed at how smart these guys were.
Happy Independence Day, everyone.