Silver Spring, MD, Local Businesses that Have Survived the Test of Time

I am amazed at several businesses that have survived and thrived the rise, the decline, the fall and the current surge in popularity of "Silver Sprung", Md. As a native of Silver Spring, I have lived, gone to school, played and worked here all my life. I've seen the good the bad and the ugly times in Silver Spring.

There are several places in Silver Spring that are gone but not forgotten by me, such as Billy Boy's Subshop, The Hecht Co., Hahns, Eddie Leonards, the bowling alley, the smell of the Heidi -Giant Food Bakery, the Hot Shoppes, the Old Armory Building, The Trojan Horse night club in the Holiday Inn, The Galaxy Room night club and Fire Fountain Restaurant in the old Sheraton Hotel, my Texaco Gas Station (on the corner of Wayne & Georgia), the Drug Fair, Solar Plexus, London Cleaners,Villa Rosa Restaurant, Kushner's, Sakura Palace, Hofberg's Deli, Fred & Harry's, The Wachapreague, and Giffords.

Most of all I miss the Citizens Bank Building (my dad had his Woodside Realty Co Business on the 3rd Floor), this is where my brother and I watched the Thanksgiving Parade every year with an incredible bird's eye view from our warm window perch, 3 stories above Fenton Street, we thought we were the luckiest kids in the world!

Some Silver Spring Businesses that have survived and still thrive:

Crisfield's The Original at Georgia Ave & EW Hwy with the "Early Bathroom" Decor still serving up the best seafood in the area since 1944. A great article about funky old Cristfields from 2003, an article from December 2006 and their website.

Mamma Regina opened in 1974. The name was changed to SERGIO"S in 1989 by the owner Sergio Toni who is still on the premises almost every night. Sergio acquired the restaurant in 1982. The quality of the food has not changed, this restaurant is always packed! I would give it an A for it's romantic upscale atmosphere. Sergio's has survived how many hotel ownership changes? Has been in the same tucked away location (the very bottom/basement of whatever hotel is there at the time - currently the Hilton)

Douglas Speed and Sport opened on Fenton Street in 1963. The Shop sells Racing and High performance Car products. The owner Larry Lint says 40% of his Business comes from Drag Racing Customers, 10% comes from Truck parts and the bulk of his bussiness is selling to muscle car and restoration enthusiasts. He says that this part of Fenton Street has gone from "a sleepy back street" to gridlock in just the past year.

Viccino's Open since the early 1990's A popular, no frills, laid back, nothing fancy, "hole in the wall" on Sligo Avenue at Georgia (across the street from the newer Jackie's) with plastic red checked table cloths, fake flowers and Excellent Italian food.

Hannigan's Auto Body Jim Hannigan and his brother opened up Shop in 1958. They come very highly recommended and are well known for their satisfied customers. Hannigan's is located on that teeny tiny road in Silver Spring named after the famous horse Selim (933 Selim Road, Silver Spring, Md 20910). People rave about Hannigan's ability to match paint and their resonable prices.

Corner Pub A pine panelled institution in 4 Corners known for it's casual sports bar crowd and really good pizza. The owners are somehow related to the original Fred and Harry's folks (the Pub is in the basement of the former Fred & Harry's Restaurant in Four Corners)

Woodmoor Bakery actually named "Woodmoor Pastry Shop" A Real Bakery in the Woodmoor Shopping Center since the early 1950's. No need to say more about this shop -Just HOMEMADE cookies, pastries, pies and cakes made by people doing this for almost 50 years. YUM!

Santucci's stands for Delicious and homemade with care, also in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, This tiny Italian Deli and Sub shop deserves mention here too, for surviving with the chains like Subway, Jerry's and McDonald's only steps away from it.

Atlantic Guns The original location opened on Bonifant Street in 1950. Still owned by the same Family, since 1950, they still do a brisk business (which is surprises me) and now have a second location in Gaithersburg. The only complaint they have about the Silver Spring location is the lack of parking spaces near the gun shop.

Thai Derm another unique little place tucked away on Bonifant Steet with the best thai food around, the original owner has been there since 1982. The interior of this restaurant and the superb food quality has not changed in the 24 years they've been there.

The Auto Shoppe Randy Rodman, an expert Mercedes auto mechanic has been in business in Silver Spring for over 30 years, He started out in a tiny location across from Montgomery College on Fenton Street extended. Recently moved to a much larger spot on Philadelphia Ave, just 2 blocks away.

Headlines Hair Designers started out as a small shop in the early 1980's The owners, The Everline Family, occupied a space in an old building on Roeder Road. They have sinced moved twice, first to First Avenue (at the back of Georgian Towers) and then to their "huge state of the art" current location at 8740 Georgia Avenue (the front of Georgian Towers).

The Golden Flame opened in 1972 - Owned by the Mamarus family. Their Greek food is still wonderful and resonably priced and they have a good happy hour!

Sniders Super Foods Local, Small, Very Friendly, Unique and not your average big Chain Grocrery Store. Their website.

Silver Spring Stage in Woodmoor Shopping Center opened Over 30 years ago. Something I never knew was that it was built in a previous BOWLING ALLEY !

White Oak Bowling Alley Still in White Oak Shopping Center. Opened in the early 60's? Duckpin bowling and a snack bar - still takes me back to the 60's. Now the only Bowling Alley I can think of in Silver Spring?

Tastee Diner Opened in the 40's on the corner of Wayne and Georgia. I can't forget those shabby, falling apart booth seats in the place (kinda added to it's charm)before it moved to it's new home on Cameron Street.

Mi Rancho opened up in the Old "3 Aces Restaurant" Space at Ramsey Avenue and Fidler Lane in the early 1990's at a time when we had no really decent restaurants in Silver Spring much less any mexican restaurants. Became very Popular and still is!

Hoover Fisher Florists in Woodmoor Shopping Center in Business for over 50 years occupies a really cool looking corner store of the Shopping center.

Chaconas Florist on Wayne Avenue - I think I remember them having a shop on Silgo Avenue many years ago? Or maybe that was Vincent Agnes Florist?

Bell's Florist - The grandaddy of Silver Spring Florists Same family since 1947. The Mangum Family have always been active Silver Spring Boosters.

Plaza Arts Store - What a Cool place to wander around in and I Love their CAT. The cat must be ancient though, I can't remember NOT seeing it for the last 15 years. Silver Spring Daily Photo has an awesome photo of the shop with this cat in the window! This is going way back, but before Plaza Art, it was LITTMAN"S or LIPPMAN's art and framing.

Dale Music - Since 1950 People are amazed that this little shop has survived, but they do have a website, maybe that has helped them in this day and age. Also word of mouth and having a niche in the business has helped too. I know people that have traveled from DC, PG and NorthernVirginia to this unique little store.

For these Local "mom and pop" small business' to have survived our revitalization and inundation of huge new chains into our downtown and greater silver spring area, they must be doing something right!! I applaud all of them and apologize if I have forgotten any. Please let me know if you think of any I might have missed.