September 2025 Updates

September marks the quiet shift from summer’s warmth to autumn’s embrace. The days are still touched by lingering sunshine, but cooler evenings hint at the season ahead. It’s a month of transition—students return to school, routines settle back in, and nature begins its slow transformation as leaves start to change. September carries both the energy of fresh beginnings and the comfort of familiar traditions. It’s a time to refocus, set new goals, and enjoy the balance between summer’s freedom and fall’s cozy rhythm.

I hope everyone that returned to school had a good first week.  Getting the family back into routine is always a pain.  Loving this weather so far.  Enjoy is while it lasts!

Something I hear a lot is about how there is nothing for kids and adults to do as far as recreation.  It's aways "they should build this or that".  Well unfortunately we need a someone to actually do it.  Your county does not build bowling alleys, Dave and Busters, mini golf courses and so on.  It takes a group of investors to put up the money and buy or lease a property and get it done.  The name brands have requirements before they even look at your site.  Lets take a look at Dave and Busters as an example.  From their website:  

Super-regional Draw: 
• 700,000 to 1,000,000 daytime population (within 10 miles) 
• Average guest travels 22 minutes to visit our stores.

So if we look at the mall as our spot to build, Charles County has a estimated 2024 population of approximately 174,478.  Daytime population means the people that don't leave the area for work. If we do a ten mile radius from the mall we only get to around 208,000 people. So unfortunately we are not even close to their requirements.

These kind of places are a big risk.  No only do you depend on people showing up and spending money but you know people are going to beat the crap out of your machines and they will need to be constantly repaired due to wear and tear.  So you can see why people would be apprehensive about getting into this type of business.  Of course it also does not help when people constantly bash where they live online like its some sort of war zone.  You don't realize businesses do their research and see that stuff.  So why would they come?  Think before you speak.

Sheets will have its Grand Opening September 11th at 37692 John Knight Drive, Charlotte Hall, MD

Foster's Grille is now open at Armory Square in Prince Frederick.

Raw Juice and Wellness Lab soft opening this week at Merchants Square 4455 Crain Highway White Plains.

The Farmhouse is expanding from Gambrills to the new Fairway Village Shopping Center located at Billingsley Road and St. Charles Parkway. Known for its farm-to-fork dining philosophy and rustic-chic ambiance, The Farmhouse promises to deliver the same elevated yet approachable dining experience that has made its Gambrills location a favorite. From cozy interiors and private dining spaces to menus crafted with local ingredients, this new spot is set to become a must-visit destination in Charles County.

Zaxby's has given me a tentative opening date of October 6, 2025 for their new Waldorf Marketplace location 3068 Waldorf Market Place.  Dates are always subject to change.  They are now hiring.

Aldi is now open in Prince Frederick at Armory Square and in Charlotte Hall at 37548 Traveled Lane.

Avid Hotel showing an opening date of October 16th at 23274 Three Notch Rd, California, MD.   Dates are always subject to change.

Dollar Tree has been signed as a tenant for Laurel Glen Shopping Center in California, MD

Qdoba Mexican Eats is showing an opening date of September 27th at the Shops at Waldorf Center.  2952 Festival Way, #607 in the same area as Chilis, Xfinity, Ledo's and Sweet frog.  Dates are always subject to change. Qdoba has locations all across the United States. This is the first Qdoba in Southern Maryland.