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Some Silver Spring residents concerned about influx of chains
By Megan McIlroy
Silver Spring has always been known for its charm. Quaint restaurants once dotted city streets and residents would dine daily at local hangouts like Ledo’s Pizza, where everyone knew the owner’s name.
But Silver Spring is much different now.
The city has launched a massive urban development project, and most of the new businesses in the city are chain restaurants.
In late December 2003, Austin Grill, Panera Bakery, Potbelly Sandwich Works, and Red Lobster all opened on Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue. Chains like Ben and Jerry’s, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Red Rock Canyon Grill, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, and Starbucks will all be opened throughout 2004.
Silver Spring residents say they are unhappy about the decision.
Some residents say the chains are sucking the charm out of the city, and others fear overcrowding, congestion, and parking problems. But local business owners say they are not concerned about losing business to competitors, and chain managers view the recent invasion as a healthy dose of competition.
Rachel Grunberger, who has lived in Silver Spring for 20 years, says she misses the quaint atmosphere of the city, but she eats at chain restaurants because she likes the food.
"I wish they could move the chain restaurants to the outskirts of the city. They cause so much congestion when they are all close together," Grunberger says.
Twenty-two year Silver Spring resident Naomi Korb echoes Grunberger’s concern.
"We should not limit opportunities to the superpowers," Korb says.
Some Silver Spring natives claim they no longer recognize the town they grew up in because of its unwanted facelift, and many are worried the city is becoming too much like Bethesda.
Ledo’s Pizza devotee Justin Ahn, who has lived in Silver Spring for 13 years, says he is sick of construction on every plot of land.
"This is not the Silver Spring I grew up in–it is turning into yuppie central around here," Ahn says.
Most local business owners are not worried about chains taking customers away from them.
Eric Pringle, a manager at Parkway Deli and Restaurant, says he doesn’t think his business is losing out because of the recent chain invasion.
"This place has a loyal customer base," Pringle says.
Jose Alvarez, an employee of Mi Rancho, a local Mexican restaurant, agrees that chain restaurants are not jeopardizing local business, but says they are congesting the city.
"The city is probably very happy about the chain restaurants because a lot more people are coming to Silver Spring and spending money, but the parking situation is getting bad," Alvarez says.
Employees and managers at chain restaurants insist their presence in the city is a good thing.
Potbelly Sandwich Works opened in December 2003. Manager Courtney Bellock says Silver Spring residents and local business owners should not worry about chain restaurant take over.
"Every city needs a fair mix of both kinds of restaurants, and that’s what Silver Spring has now," Bellock says.
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