Next Day Blinds Ceases Operations, Closes Stores

Next Day Blinds, based in Jessup, Md., has ceased operations and closed all of its stores, including one across from Whole Foods in Downtown Silver Spring. The company’s website now redirects visitors to a page on the site of 3 Day Blinds, a company founded in California in 1978.

Locavino Honored with Award from Wine Spectator Magazine

Locavino, the wine café that overlooks Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, has been recognized with a 2020 Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine. The award “recognizes thoughtfully chosen wine lists that offer quality and diversity, as well as compatibility with the restaurant’s style and menu,” according to the announcement.

Hair Cuttery in Ellsworth Place Shuts Down

The Hair Cuttery in Ellsworth Place has permanently closed, joining other salons shut down by its parent company even as others are preparing to reopen. Creative Hairdressers Inc. announced in January it intended to close more than 80 stores due to financial issues.

Part of Georgia Avenue Will Close Temporarily to Allow Outdoor Dining

A portion of Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring will be temporarily closed as of 5 p.m. June 12 to allow restaurants additional space to provide customers outdoor dining. The right lanes of Georgia will be shut down between Silver Spring and Thayer avenues in a pilot project that will run through at least June 21. The pilot, known as Streetdine, is the result of a collaboration between the State Highway Administration, the Silver Spring Urban District, County Council Vice President Tom Hucker (D-District 5) and local business owners.

Silver Spring Arts Groups to Offer Virtual Summer Camps

Several Silver Spring arts organizations will offer virtual summer art camps for youth from pre-K to 18 years old, according to an announcement from the Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District. “Many children have been away from their classmates, family members and friends for several months,” said Silver Spring Regional Services Center Director Reemberto Rodriguez in the press release. “The arts organizations in our Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District are bringing to life summer offerings that fill an important need within our community.”

County Board Approves Expanded Area for Downtown Planning Study

The Montgomery County Planning Board yesterday unanimously approved a Scope of Work for the Silver Spring Downtown Plan that adds portions of adjacent neighborhoods to the study area. The decision at the virtual meeting adopted staff boundary Option D, an expansion within a half-mile/ten-minute pedestrian “walkshed” from the future Silver Spring Library Purple Line Station.