May 2020 Updates

Well things are moving along and hopefully we will begin stage one in Charles County and get our businesses back up and running by the end of the month.  Calvert and St. Mary's have already started stage one.

There has not been too much to report because most groups are still dragging their feet on opening or signing a lease. Heck I even forgot to post the May update because its been so quiet! Its expected when you don't know what the final decision is going to be on when they will allow you to open.  The governor has left the decision up to the counties to decide when they want to do that.  Fingers crossed it does not get any later.

https://www.uschamber.com/coronavirus

https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/

https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/2630/COVID-19-Virtual-Resource-Center

https://www.stmarysmd.com/covid-19/updates/

https://www.charlescountymd.gov/services/health-and-human-services/covid-19

Shoppers Food Warehouse located in the the St. Charles Town Plaza in Waldorf has reopened after being purchased by McKay's Grocery Store.

Had a few people ask what was going on with the old Ruby Tuesday's in Calvert.  They are constructing the new Panda Express.


Arbys and Crafty Crab are in full construction mode in the St. Charles Town Plaza.  No opening dates yet.

April 2020 Updates

I hope everyone is doing as well as possible during this crazy time we are having.  Adapting to new ways of working, shopping and school has been a challenge.  I know my Southern Marylanders are resilient and will pull thru this with flying colors.  The show of support for our local businesses has been outstanding.  Please keep it up!

Many of the businesses that had planned to open have been delayed due to our recent situation.  I will try to keep up with things as best as possible with the restrictions that are in place.  Stay positive and stay healthy!

Have you completed the 2020 census yet?  Why not??  It helps your county!  Please take the time to send it in.  You can do it in your pajamas.

Gordmans has taken over the Peebles located in the Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick.  They are similar to a TJ Maxx, Ross or Burlington.  They had a grand opening March 3rd. 

Calvert Kettle Corn is coming to Charlotte Hall at the former Sweet Frog Location on Triangle Drive.

ATI Physical Therapy will be coming to the Rosewick Crossing Shopping Center in La Plata.

Ohms and Watts Vaping and Crit Roll Gaming will be coming to the La Plata Village Shopping Center next to Dunkin Donuts. 

March 2020 Updates

March is here!  Early Spring weather or a last minute blizzard?  You never know.  I hope the new year has brought you good things. Stay healthy and wash those hands.  Make smart decisions.
With the recent things going on in the world there are a lot of things closing for our safety.  Venues, Gyms, Restaurants only able to do take out, etc.  Please be patient with people. We are all in this together and we are adapting to this as quickly as possible.
Get your information from good sources to keep track of whats happening like the Center for Disease Control:   https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html



Here's whats new:

Marshalls will have their Grand Opening April 2 at the Landing at Woodyard.  8895 Woodyard Road, Clinton, MD.


So the Shoppers food Warehouse in Waldorf will open back up as Shoppers again.  I am not sure why.  From what I understand it is still owned by McKays.  If I hear anything else about it I will post.  Have not heard about the St. Mary's site yet.

Taco Bell and 7 Eleven will be coming to the Brandywine area at the Brandywine Village project to be built in front of the Chadds Ford residential neighborhood.

Five Guys has officially opened in its new location in La Plata next to Panera bread.  Their former store has a lease pending.

Donut Connection and Hershey's Ice Cream has opened at 22807 Three Notch Road in California, MD.

Its time for the 2020 Census.  This is very important for everyone to do so we get funds for our state and counties different departments.  It also give us the numbers for how many people are in the county so when those new stores and restaurants want to come they have that information.  You should be getting a code in the mail soon.  It takes only a few minutes to fill out.  Please participate!   https://2020census.gov/

February 2020 Updates

Hello February!  Seems to be a mix of warm and cold weather going on.  Its really messing with my head.  Cant wait till Spring!  Business continues to be good so hopefully that trend continues.  Southern Maryland is the best place to live! 

The Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex will have its grand opening on February 29 at 1:00 p.m. It is located in Brandywine at 13601 Missouri Avenue.

The Circle K owners say they will start construction of their new location in Allens Fresh next to the Town and Country Motel this March.

Looks like we are going to loose one of our anchor tenants at the Mall.  Sears has announced the closing of the Waldorf location by mid April.  Sears is also closing stores in Baltimore and Annapolis at the same time.  

Vocelli Pizza will be taking over the former Jerry's Subs space in the La Plata Village Shopping Center at 56 Drury Drive.  Look for an early spring opening date. 

Wee Bean Cafe will take over the former Pancakes Plus building in La Plata.  6580 Crain Highway.

Horizon Family Dental Care coming soon to the La Plata Plaza next to Panera and the new location for Five Guys Burgers.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe will be coming to the Fox Run Shopping Center in Prince Frederick.  It will be located on a new retail building located out in front of the former K Mart.  Besides the cafe there will be four other spaces for more stores.  Leases are pending on them so information is not out to the public yet.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe will also be coming to the new Brandywine Village Center which is to be built in front of the Chadds Ford Residential development in Brandywine, MD

January 2020 Updates

Happy New Year! We hope you enjoyed the holidays and are ready for a bright and shiny 2020.

Lets hope we see some great things come to the Southern Maryland area.  Please be kind to one another and be proud of where you live! #Choosekindness 

Caliber Collision is now open in Waldorf at  12105 Farrar Place behind Popeye's and Goodwill.

Botanica Dayana's

Botanica Dayana's is now open in the Merchants Square Shopping Center in White Plains.  They offer Religious items as well as natural healing items, aromatic candles, soaps, perfumes herbs and much more.

Bodi Oasis Wellness spa and Salon 

They will have their Grand Opening January 31, 2020 at the Bryans Road Shopping Center.

Construction has started on the Crafty Crab Seafood Restaurant in the St. Charles Towne Plaza by Burger King.  I'm predicting a late Spring / Early Summer opening.  We will see how things progress.


I've been asked a few times whats going on behind Wawa in Charlotte Hall.  Its only septic work for the gas station.

The K Mart in Prince Frederick is being broken up into smaller units to make it easier to lease.  They also plan to have a few new pad sites out front to attract more tenants.  They have leases out for several new tenants to be named once permitted.  I know who they are but until they say its ok I don't put them out to the public because it can mess with their leases. 

KFC Waldorf Grand Re Opening after a full tear down and rebuild.  January 15, 2020 at 2180 Crain Highway.

Wawa White Plains is undergoing a complete renovation.  Gas is still open.

Target La Plata is under renovations.  Store is open.

Row House and Club Pilates will both open this Spring in the St. Mary's Marketplace in California, MD.  Row House shows a March 13th opening date.  Both will be located next to Mod Pizza.  Both are franchises with over 600 locations each and more on the way.

December Updates

December is here!  The holidays seem to be coming faster than normal.  Be safe!  2020 will be here before we know it.

Have you been to the Waldorf Olive Garden since the remodel?  It looks great!  Always like to see companies freshen up the look of their buildings.   

Panera Bread has opened at the Landing at Woodyard 8823 Woodyard Road in Clinton.

Sweetbay Restaurant & Bar in Leonardtown, MD is NOW HIRING.  22680 Washington Square.  This new restaurant in Leonardtown is looking for friendly and competent servers, hostesses, food runners, cooks, and dishwashers.  Full-time and Part-time positions available.  Please send your resume to PeterL@sohodc.com
No date for opening yet.

Lidl Grand opening is set for December 18th with a ribbon cutting at 7:45 and opening at 8:00 am. 3461 Promenade Place in Waldorf.

Two local Shoppers Food Warehouse stores in Waldorf and Lexington Park will be converted to McKay's Food stores next year.  

KFC in Waldorf is almost finished with their renovations and should open back up this winter.

The new 7-Eleven will open in Waldorf at the Shopes at Piney Church Friday December 19th.

The address is 11690 Billingsley Road.  They will have a grand opening event from 10 am- 2 pm.

Majestic E-Gamer Lounge and the play place have opened in the St. Charles Towne Center Mall on the first floor by Sears.

November Updates

Updated 11/19/19

Happy Holidays! The freezing cold weather is here.  I was hoping for more Fall weather first but you know how it is here.  Hope everyone has a safe month full of family and friends. When you are out there shopping please choose kindness!

Remember if you want something in your area please contact the company and tell them you want them here!

We are off to a slow start this month but lots of things in the pipeline.

LA Learning Center will be opening on December 16, 2019 at 3999 ST. Marks Drive Waldorf.
They are having two open houses:

Open house on November 22, 2019 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm.

Open house on November 23, 2019 from 11am - 2pm.

This is what they are offering for new clients: If you register on one of these two dates you will receive 50% off tuition for 4 weeks.

If you leave one of their competitors within a 5 mile radius of our school you will receive 50% off tuition for 8 weeks.

Arby's in Waldorf is working on their site plans and interior plans.  These things take time to work thru county approvals so its still in the works.


The supposed strip club in Bryans Road has been denied after it was found that they put in for a different use and then switched to the strip club.

Speaking of Bryans Road we have heard that most of the small spaces at the Bryans Road shopping center have leases pending.  The Safeway space is going to be a storage facility.
Unfortunately with the slow growth in that area its very hard to attract another grocery store.

Mezeh contacted me and said the St. Mary's Marketplace location would not open until Spring 2020.

Panera Bread will open later this month at the Landing at Woodyard in Clinton.

Chicken Rico has now reopened in Waldorf at Waldorf Shoppers World.