Commas has applied for a beer, wine, and liquor license as it prepares to open in downtown Silver Spring.
According to the posted signage, the county’s Board of License Commissioners will hold a hearing on September 19th at 10:30 a.m. for the food hall’s beer, wine, and liquor license application.
Ellsworth Place owner GBT Realty announced earlier this year that Commas would open on the mall’s third level in September but did not specify a date.
“We’ve been working hard to create an international dining experience like no other,” GBT Realty managing director of operations Trey Culpepper said in May. “Silver Spring is consistently named one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse cities, and Commas is a celebration of this diversity. In this space, you can travel from continent to continent with every bite.”
Brentwood, Tenn.-based GBT Realty acquired Ellsworth Place from Petri Richardson Ventures in 2018 and announced plans to build a nearly 20-story, 450-unit residential tower above the mall last year.
Nine eateries are set to open at Commas, including:
DMV Empanadas was founded by Bolivian siblings Marco and Nacho Almaraz and has sold hand-held snacks at farmers’ markets in the region for almost a decade. Starting from their shop in Gaithersburg, the Almaraz brothers have gone from their original chicken filling to offering nearly 20 other options such as Arroz, spicy pork, shrimp Old Bay, and cheeseburger.
Tokoa came to life when Evelyn Cruz and Delmy Hernandez, longtime friends and restaurant workers, merged their expertise and passion to craft their takes on beloved dishes. The menu highlights a variety of cheesesteaks and burgers, ranging from timeless classics like the Philly Cheesesteak to more inventive options, such as spicy cheesesteak and cheese-filled burgers.
J&J Mex-Taqueria, a family-owned and operated establishment, has catered to the D.C. community since 2015. José and José Tovar, a father-son team, are dedicated to sharing genuine Mexican recipes, flavors, and sauces handed down through generations and fostering connections with their customers.
6 Skewers offers a fresh take on authentic Persian dishes, focusing on skewered dishes made with the finest ingredients.
The Champs Kitchen, operated by Silver Spring resident Keyerra Pitts, serves Caribbean flavors and classic dishes with all-star recipes and finger-licking sauces.
Claude Have Mercy is operated by Claudius Kpakima, a first-generation American with parents from Sierra Leone. This restaurant will offer a unique take on seafood, including shrimp burgers, seafood hot dogs, and seafood pizza.
Momo Hub will bring the Nepalese experience to Commas, serving Nepalese dumplings and traditional cuisine.
Nim Ali offers traditional Guatemalan street food flavors, including the 12″ Shuko Chingon made with beef, ham, bacon, al pastor, steak, chorizo, cilantro aioli, and spicy picamas, as well as other snacks and plates. Sister eatery Café Antigua by Nim Ali will activate the mornings with coffee and bakery items and offer additional items to fulfill all-day cravings.
Commas will be operated by West Palm Beach-based FIRETEN Hospitality, which owns and operates food halls and hospitality venues nationwide, including Le Fantome in College Park.
“We are particularly lucky to partner with FIRETEN Hospitality to operate and activate Commas,” Culpepper said. “Together with the FIRETEN team, we’re seeking out additional food concepts to complete our dining mix and stamp the final two pages in our patrons’ culinary passports.”
Commas is nearly fully leased, with only two spaces remaining. Restaurateurs interested in leasing the remaining vacancies can contact the leasing team at hellocommas.com.
Rendering Courtesy of GBT Realty