Duncan hails new beginning in downtown Silver Spring; County officials, business community mark Strosniders Hardware opening

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

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For Immediate Release: August 10, 2000

Contact: Strosniders, Jerry Bennett, 301-565-9150;
County, David Weaver, 240-777-6530;
The Peterson Companies, Jim Todd, 703-631-7504l;
Foulger-Pratt, Bryant Foulger, 301-948-0522

Duncan hails new beginning in downtown Silver Spring;
County officials, business community mark
Strosniders Hardware opening

A long-awaited new era dawned today in Silver Spring with the opening of Strosniders Hardware, the first store to open in the retail and entertainment project -- totaling more than $400 million -- that County officials predict will be a national redevelopment model.

Hailing the rebuilding of Silver Spring, County Executive Douglas M. Duncan marked the official opening of Stosniders Hardware Store by sawing a wooden "ribbon" and purchasing a hammer. Among the other local officials and business community representatives who toured the 10,000 square-foot store with General Manager Jerry Bennett were County Council members Derick Berlage and Steve Silverman; Congressman Al Wynn; State Senator Ida Ruben; Bryant Foulger, vice-president of Foulger-Pratt; James Todd, president of The Peterson Companies; and Richard Perlmutter, Argo Investment Company.

Duncan said, "Today, we celebrate the rebuilding and rebirth of downtown Silver Spring and mark a new beginning in the history of this proud community." County Council member Derick Berlage, whose district includes Silver Spring, called the opening of the first store "a landmark day for Silver Spring, one the community has anticipated for two decades. And, it's appropriate that the hardware store you all asked for is the first to open, because Stroniders literally and figuratively is helping to rebuild Silver Spring."

Strosniders Hardware is a Montgomery County-based business that began with the Bethesda store in the 1950s and added a Potomac store six years ago.

Jerry Bennett, general manager of Strosniders-Silver Spring, said being the first store to open in such a major project is like "being part of a big puzzle. And, we're glad to be one of the edge pieces."

Also slated to open this week in the Sprint PCS store, located on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

PFA Silver Spring L.C., a joint venture partnership between The Peterson Companies, Foulger-Pratt Companies and Argo Investment Company, plans to develop 450,000 square feet of retail, 238,000 square feet of office space, a 200-room hotel and 165 residential units in the new downtown.

"After working with County, State and a variety of citizen's groups for several years, our partnership is delighted to be part of the opening of the first new retail neighborhood in many years," said Jim Todd, president of The Peterson Companies, on behalf of the PFA Silver Spring L.C. partnership.

"This is just the beginning," Todd said, "of what will be a total revitalization of Downtown Silver Spring, where people throughout the region will be able to work, live, shop, and enjoy their leisure time."

Speakers from the business and residential communities also noted the significance of the event.

Representing the Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, President Carol Rubin said, " With the opening of Strosniders, what a great first step in the rebirth of Silver Spring as a major retail center. The Silver Spring community asked for a hardware store, and now that the developer has delivered, it's time for us in Silver Spring to assure the continued success of our new retail partners by shopping there."

Commenting on the importance of the first store opening following years of planning and visioning, Sally Sternbach, chairman of the Silver Spring Citizens Regional Advisory Board, said, "Nothing beats a ribbon cutting."

Other local officials attending were First District Congressman Al Wynn, Montgomery County Senator Ida Ruben, who presented a resolution to Strosniders, and representatives of Senators Paul Sarbanes and Barbara Mikulski.

Additional tenants that have signed leases in the new downtown area are Sprint PCS, Fresh Fields, Next Day Blinds, Hollywood Video, Borders Books, TGI Friday's, Panera Bread, and Yankee Candle. The next major opening is scheduled for mid-September with Fresh Fields.

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