Planners to Hold Virtual Listening Sessions on Downtown, Adjacent Communities Plan

The county’s Planning Department will hold the first of three virtual “listening sessions” on what’s been rechristened the Silver Spring Downtown and Adjacent Communities Plan on Tuesday, July 21 from noon to 1:15 p.m. The discussion is part of the launch of the sector plan process for the Central Business District and surrounding area.

Kefa to Leave Library Location, Bump ’n Grind to Take Over

Kefa Café will leave its location in the Silver Spring Library and open a café in the new Wheaton Library, while Bump ’n Grind will take over the Silver Spring spot. “We have been honored for the past five years to operate the coffee shop located on the grounds of the Silver Spring Library,” said Kefa’s co-owner Lene Tsegay in a statement, “and we are proud to have established a precedent for creating a welcoming and supportive community space for library customers.”

Red Line Service Interrupted by Derailment at Silver Spring

Service on Metro’s Red Line was interrupted by a derailment at the Silver Spring station shortly before 11:30 a.m. A statement posted by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, posted on the organization’s Twitter page, reads, “Preliminary information suggests the eight-car train passed a red signal prior to the derailment.”

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.

Willow Street Yoga Closes Silver Spring Studio

Willow Street Yoga is closing its downtown Silver Spring studio on the second level of 8561 Fenton St., according to an announcement on the company’s Facebook page. In a email to clients on June 3, signed “Joe Miller and the Willow Street team,” the company wrote, “Our biggest challenge in maintaining the studio has always been our high rent obligations.”