Spring Center businesses in the 8600 block of 16th Street are shutting down, anticipating the center’s demolition for Purple Line construction that eventually will result in the Woodside station at that location.
A few businesses are relocating, but most are not (at least, not at this time). Several simply referred customers to a different location.
While there have been reports that businesses were told to vacate by Sept. 30, some will be sticking around for a little while.
For example, the Post Office will not be closing any time soon.
“The Postal Service is actively looking for suitable alternate quarters to replace the Silver Spring facility. At this time, no decision has been made,” said USPS spokesperson Sara Martin in an email to the Source. “Service at our facility will continue, without interruption, until further notice.”
In another case, staff at El Aguilar didn’t know an exact closing date, just that it would be some time in October. A sign on the Spring Center restaurant refers customers to the existing location at 7926 Georgia Ave.
Patient First also will be open past Sept. 30. The Source received the following email in response to a request for information about the company’s plans:
“Patient First’s Spring Center location will close at the end of 2017, when a replacement center will open less than a mile away, at 8206 Georgia Avenue. We will be communicating directly with our patients regarding the relocation date, and are happy to be able to offer a seamless transition from the Spring Center to Georgia Avenue with no disruption in medical care or change in services.
“We have worked directly with the Maryland Transit Administration and our landlord to ensure that our Spring Center location will remain open until the new Georgia Avenue medical center is ready to see patients, to preserve continuity of care for our patients,” the statement said.
However, the following businesses were closed as of Sept. 27:
- 7-11, no new location given
- Baskin-Robbins referred customers to an existing outlet at 10592 Metropolitan Ave., Kensington
- Beauty Supply shop, no new location given
- Crest Opticians, no new location given
- Extra Space Property Management Co., no new location given
- Kessler’s Dry Cleaners referred customers to an existing outlet at 1304 East-West Highway or to Weller’s Dry Cleaner’s, 8237 Fenton St.
- McDonald’s referred customers to an existing location at 12135 Viers Mill Rd. (though there is also an outlet at 8407 Colesville Rd.)
- Pizza Hut, no new location given
- Popeye’s, no new location given
- Signs by Tomorrow referred customers to a new location at 4131 Howard Ave., Kensington
- Shake2, no new location given.
Also as of Sept. 27, the following stores said they will close, effective Sept. 30:
- Silver Spring Pack & Ship, no new location given.
- Spring Beer & Wine referred customers to a new location at 9330 Georgia Ave.
According to county officials, businesses are eligible for up to $60,000 if they close or relocate. Compensation also is available for relocation moving expenses.
Spring Beer and Wine is one of the businesses moving to a new location. Photo by Mike Diegel.