County Executive Isiah Leggett presented awards to Best of Fenton Village winners. Photo by Mike Diegel.
The winners of the fifth annual Best of Fenton Village were recognized last night in a ceremony hosted by The Nora School.
“This is the neighborhood that’s been here long before we started the revitalization of Silver Spring,” County Executive Isiah Leggett reminded attendees in brief remarks prior to the presentations, lauding the opportunity to recognize success of “these thriving businesses.”
Prior to Leggett’s arrival, Silver Spring Regional Center Director Reemberto Rodriguez addressed the businesses’ concerns over the effect of losing about half the surface parking on the site of what had been Parking Lot 3 due to construction.
He mentioned an upcoming meeting for merchants to discuss the situation and reminded attendees that the underground garage under construction will be a county-operated garage that will more than replace the approximately 140 spaces being lost.
About 70 spaces are still available, though now operated by a private firm that charges $8 per day for parking. The spaces are free after 4 p.m. and on weekends, but that’s not well known, Rodriguez said.
There are also issues with construction debris the county is trying to rectify.
“We want to continue this conversation and no situation is too small for you not to get on the phone and call,” he said. “We are trying our darndest as a county to mitigate, as much as we can, the impact.
“The unfiltered truth is that it’s tough on many of your businesses,” he continued, “and it’ only been since September.”
He noted there was probably another 18 months to go before construction will be completed.
“This is not sustainable for 18 months and we need to continue making it less onerous on you to get your deliveries, to get your trash,” he said, acknowledging as well that parking is less convenient for customers.
Following Leggett’s remarks, the county executive presented awards to those present. There were 31 first- and second-place awards in 15 categories. First-place awards went to:
- Automotive: Murray’s Auto Clinic
- Bank/Loans: Capital One Bank
- Bars/Taverns/Wineries: Quarry House Tavern
- Cafes: Kefa Café
- Food Shops: Thai Market
- Beauty Salons/Barber Shops: Spa Mesu
- Dance/Wellness: Sky House Yoga/Our Space Acupuncture
- Dry Cleaners/Alterations: Weller’s Dry Cleaners
- Education/Non Profit: Create Arts Center
- Media/Web Publishing: Lucky Dog Films
- Music/Art/Books: Plaza Art
- Professional Services: Rapp Funeral Services
- Restaurants: Pacci’s Pizza
- Services & Repairs: Arina’s Shoe and Leather Repair
- Specialty Shops: Pennyworth Shop
The full list of winners is here.
Karen Burditt, who runs the Best of Fenton Village awards program for Fenton Village Ic., welcomed winners and guests to last night’s ceremony. Photo by Mike Diegel.