January 2025 Updates

Happy New Year!  The beginning of a new year, and as such, it carries the energy of fresh starts, goals, and resolutions.  How long they last is up to you.  I hope the new year brings you good health and happiness.

I think this year should bring some good things.  People seem to be optimistic and are looking to invest.  We will see how that goes.  The biggest problem is getting things thru the system and getting approvals.  The county governments are understaffed and permits are taking a long time.  

Here is a list of what we are still waiting on to open that I have talked about in the past and of course these aren't all the projects in the area just the ones I'm aware of.  If I know the opening date I will post it but most are still up in the air.  I will update them if I'm told a date so check back.  I'm going to be updating this all month.

St. Mary's County

Now Open in Charlotte Hall

Lexington Park

Wildewood Center

Charlotte Hall Commons

Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood

Great Mills Road, Lexington Park

Charlotte Hall

Charlotte Hall

Charlotte Hall

Charles County

Fairway Village Shopping Center

Supposed to start this year and open in 2026

Crain Highway, Waldorf

Shops at Waldorf Center

Waldorf Park

Late Summer 2025

Waldorf Marketplace

Crain Highway Waldorf

Charles County Plaza

Holly Tree Center Crain Highway

La Plata Village Center

Hope to open early February.

Prince Georges County

Brandywine Crossing

Brandywine Village

Calvert County

Armory Square Project

December 2024 Updates

December often evokes feelings of warmth, coziness, and reflection, as people gather with family and friends to celebrate the holidays and end of the year. It is also a time when many reflect on the past year, set goals for the new one, and engage in acts of kindness or giving. The month is a time of both celebration and reflection, offering a unique atmosphere of joy, rest, and preparation for what is to come.

I hope everyone had a good year and that you are all healthy and happy.  It was a much slower year, but things are starting to pick up. I look forward to what's to come next year as new projects and businesses open up.  I wish everyone a new year full of love and happiness.

“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” –Maya Angelou

Dental Care on Stanhaven is now open and taking appointments.  10660 Stanhaven Place, White Plains.

Royal Farms located at 30315 Three Notch Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD 20622, will officially open its doors on January 9, 2025. There may be a soft opening.

Fresh Green has backed out of going to Brandywine village. No word on why. Saladworks is still supposed to open in Brandywine Crossing but keeps changing dates.

Marcos Pizza at 3722 Crain Hwy Unit 114 in Waldorf has still not opened and is still under construction. Permits seem to be taking much longer for everyone.

Sprouts has started construction at The Shops at Waldorf Center, but no opening date has been announced.

One 50 Fitness will be coming to Charlotte Hall in the former McKay's space.  Apparently, a government contractor space will also take part of that unit.

November 2024 Updates

November is a transitional month, often marked by the deepening chill of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Trees stand bare against the gray skies, and a sense of quiet settles in as nature prepares for winter. In many cultures, November is a time for reflection, gratitude, and remembrance, often highlighted by holidays like Thanksgiving.  I've always been a fan of Thanksgiving because its one of the main times you get all the family together.  Unfortunately over the years our family gatherings get smaller as kids grow up and move, or have to share time with their in-laws, or our elders pass away and we lose that glue that holds us all together.  It really sucks.  So please get your family together as much as you can.  Share special times, tell stories and make memories.

And since its election time please go vote.

"There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people, religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin." -Linus VanPelt

I've now set the comments to google account users only.  Because I'm not going to sit and deal with having to moderate to everyone's liking and getting crap for it.  I don't have the time or crayons to deal with it. I have a job to do.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market has signed on at the Wildewood Center in California, MD.  It will take over the former Bed Bath and Beyond space.  They have 480 locations across 10 states.  Each store is independently owned and operated.

Zaxby's is starting construction on their Waldorf location next to the Red Robin at Waldorf Marketplace.  No word on a finish date.

Tia's Cantina is showing an opening date of December 16th.  23415 Three Notch Road, Suite 2060.  Located in front of the Wildewood Center. 

October 2024 Updates

 October is a month that embodies the shift from the warmth of summer to the crispness of fall. As the days grow shorter, the air turns cooler, and leaves transform into a vibrant palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. It’s a time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and the unmistakable scent of woodsmoke in the air.

October also brings with it a sense of anticipation, with Halloween looming at the end of the month. Neighborhoods start to fill with decorations, and children excitedly plan their costumes. It’s a month that encourages outdoor adventures, from apple picking to scenic hikes, as nature puts on its final show before winter. Overall, October feels like a celebration of change and a reminder to embrace the beauty of transition.    That was AI cause I'm too tired to come up with new material today.

“Eat, drink, and be cozy – it’s autumn.” 

Fiesta Cancun Bar and Grill has announced an October 8th opening date in Waldorf.  They will open for lunch at 11a.m.  3610 Crain Highway next to Hooters.

The Bob Evans in Waldorf has closed to make way for First Watch The Daytime Cafe.  This would be their first location in Southern Maryland.  There is also one planned for Prince Frederick but it will open at a later time.  First Watch is a popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch café chain known for its fresh and seasonal menu. First Watch focuses on using high-quality ingredients, offering a variety of options including omelets, pancakes, salads, and sandwiches. They also emphasize healthy choices, with many dishes being made from scratch. In addition to traditional breakfast fare, First Watch is known for its specialty dishes like their famous avocado toast and various fresh juices. They also cater to dietary preferences, providing vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

Oasis Fresh Foods Market will have its soft opening at 9a.m. on October 9th at 4145 Indian Head Highway.  Oasis is a locally owned and operated neighborhood grocery store.

Scramblers is opening its first restaurant in Maryland at the old IHOP location in Lexington Park. 21911 Three Notch Road. Scramblers currently has 27 locations in Florida, Michigan and Ohio

Their locations are open for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  No opening date set.

7-11 Has started construction on their new store next to Aldi at Rosewick Corner in La Plata.  The one at Hawthorne Center is closed permanently.  The new one will have a gas station as well.

Rios Mexican Carryout and Tortilleria has opened at 11740 Central Avenue in Waldorf.  

September 2024 Updates

Oh September. The end of summer is here. So sad. Where did it go? Feels the kids just get out of school and now we are already back in.  The cooler weather is starting to come in, then leaves will change soon.  It's a time when people return from summer vacations and settle back into their regular schedules.  I hope you got to do some fun stuff and spend time with family and friends.  

"Let's have one more barbecue before we start pumpkin spicing everything!" — Unknown

I get asked about this a lot so just for clarification.  You have a couple of projects on Western Parkway in Waldorf.  One near the corners is a SMECO project to expand the power station.  The other is the Waldorf Tech Park Apartments which are comprised of seven mid-rise, class A, elevator served, residential buildings, totaling 272 apartments. The project features two standalone clubhouses/fitness buildings, a pool, and multiple outdoor amenity areas.

Crunch Fitness coming soon to 3035 Waldorf Market Place in the former AC Moore space.  It will be a 24 hour center.  They plan to open in January 2025.

Berry Pointe is the new warehouse flex project on Berry Road where the turf farm is located currently.

Right now they are showing a forty-eight thousand and a fifty thousand square foot flex space that will start construction in the near future.  These will look like office on the front side and have roll up doors on the rear of the spaces.  They will have some pad sites for limited retail and professional uses. This is business park zoned so you can't do just any type of retail there.  There are limitations.  So far nothing is set in stone except for the warehouses.

Domoishi now open at the Esperanza Center in the former El Pollon chicken space.  22650 Three Notch Road A, Lexington Park.  Domoishi specializes in Asian Fusion ramen, wings, poke bowls, and bubble teas.  They have 33 stores in the US currently.

Tia's Cantina is now hiring at their new location 23415 Three Notch Road, Suite 2060.  Located in front of the Wildewood Center. Planning to open in November of this year.

Marco's Pizza is showing a November 23rd opening date.  Marco's is located at Waldorf Park behind Crumbl cookies. 3722 Crain Highway, Unit 114, Waldorf.

Fiesta Cancun Bar and Grill taking over the former Mariachis space.  3610 Crain Highway in Waldorf between Olive Garden and Hooters.  We assume these are new tenants and not just a rename.  Renovations have been done.  No opening date given but they were hiring staff.

August 2024 Updates

Oh August. Hot weather and long days. August marks the ending of summer and the beginning of a new school year on the way.  I don't want the summer to end even though sometimes it can be miserable.  I enjoy lots of colorful flowers and plants that winter kills.  It always keeps my mood positive. I'm also not looking forward to cleaning up leaves in the fall. So enjoy the weather the best you can.  Make those summer memories and spend it with the ones you love. 

• "Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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South Park Center in Waldorf has signed tenants including a Woman's salon, Botanical Bliss dispensary, Bahama Bucks Shaved Ice and a few more still in lease negotiations.  This building is located near the Carrabba's and Cracker Barrel.

Charleys Philly Steaks is coming soon to the La Plata Village Center next to Dunkin Donuts.

The McDonald's at 3000 Crain Highway in Waldorf by Outback has been demolished to make way for a new up to date version of its stores.  I think this was the oldest one in the area.  Had a couple birthdays there.  I'm not a fan of the new designs. Very boring.

Heartland Dental is taking over the former BBT building in White Plains.  10660 Stanhaven Place

Old Navy will have its grand opening August 10th at the Shops at Waldorf Center.

Domoishi Coming soon to the Esperanza Center in the former El Pollon chicken space.  22650 Three Notch Road A, Lexington Park.  Domoishi specializes in Asian Fusion ramen, wings, poke bowls, and bubble teas.  They have 33 stores in the US currently.