When Washington, D.C. residents Olive Blanche Kreuzburg and her husband Harvey opened Mrs. K’s Toll House Tavern on April 1, 1930, their cozy, country restaurant located out in the “wilds” of Montgomery County, there were probably those who thought that the April Fool’s Day opening was a commentary on the nature of starting such a business.
Pho Hiep Hoa, the Vietnamese restaurant on the second level at 921 Ellsworth Dr., has closed, according to The Peterson Cos. The restaurant, one of the original outlets in the Downtown Silver Spring development, ceased operations at the beginning of March.
Local nonprofit Silver Spring Cares has teamed up with a group of Silver Spring/Takoma Park restaurants to provide meals to needy area residents. To fund the effort and help to support the restaurants’ employees, SSC last week launched a Community Connection Go Fund Me page, according to Heather Foley, SSC’s executive director.
The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District and the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce are building lists of local restaurants and other businesses open to serve customers during the COVID-19 emergency. The SSAED list includes 53 restaurants, while the GSSCC includes operating information about, in addition to restaurants, fitness studios and centers, hotels, theaters, pet services, florists, auto services and “other retail.”
On a normal Thursday, the Source posts a curated list of upcoming events gathered from various places, including our own calendar of community events. This is not a normal Thursday.
Abol Ethiopian Restaurant closed last week after an unsuccessful attempt to rebrand the location, then returning to the original concept. The location at 8626 Colesville Rd. was rebranded as Blu Nile Restaurant and Lounge with a launch shortly before the holidays.
El Sapo Cuban Social Club and Urban Butcher have begun providing free meals to senior citizens, according to chef/owner Raynold Mendizábal. “We went to The Bonifant building and we’re going to be taking care of them for the time being,” he said.
The Sligo Creek Golf Course and a renovated Sligo Pit BBQ have reopened for the season and live music will return this year, according to team leader Laura Russell. The Friday night free concerts will kick off June 5 with The Loose Ends and a special appearance by County Executive Marc Elrich.
Salon Zoma has moved from its Georgia Avenue location to 919 Bonifant St. on the ground floor of The Bonifant apartments. Owner Fasika Kebede opened her first location as an Aveda “concept salon” in 2010, she said, offering Aveda’s environmentally friendly products exclusively. The new shop continues that concept.