Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why did Wheaton’s Hollywood East Cafe close amid a restaurant boom?
And on the Wheaton Patch calendar - National Gallery of Art Drop Off, DC

Hi there, Wheaton! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Wheaton PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
- MacGillis Global Academy — (240) 599-8968
Accredited Online School: Full/Part-time & Homework Support - Dogtopia of White Flint — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Summer At Sandy Spring — (301) 774-7455
Your Kids Can Have An AWESOME FUN Summer!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In today's newsletter:
- Why did Wheaton’s Hollywood East Cafe close amid a restaurant boom?
Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: A morning shower; cloudy, with a high of 48 and low of 37 degrees.
- Wednesday: Some sun, then clouds; breezy, temps: high: 51, low: 34.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy and misty, with a high of 52 and low of 28 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Montgomery County restaurant openings outpace closures, data shows (fox5dc.com) — Wheaton diners will feel the loss of Hollywood East Cafe, which closed this year after nearly three decades even as overall restaurant openings in Montgomery County continue to outpace closures. New data show hundreds of restaurants with liquor licenses opened countywide in 2025, while officials say the market remains strong despite rising rents and a few beloved spots shutting their doors.
![]()
📸 Around Wheaton
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
📣 Wheaton Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- National Gallery of Art Drop Off, DC
Laurel, MD Calendar Laurel, MD 20707
10:00 am - Tai Chi
City of College Park, Maryland Calendar College Park, MD 20740
10:00 am - Family Storytime at Marilyn J. Praisner Library - In-person
Marilyn J. Praisner (Burtonsville) Library , 14910 Old Columbia Pike , Burtonsville
11:00 am - Capital Food Bank Food Distribution for Federal Workers and Contractors
Mount Rainier, MD Calendar , 7721 Barlowe Rd , Hyattsville
12:00 pm - Shuffleboard
Schweinhaut Senior Center , 1000 Forest Glen Rd , Silver Spring
1:00 pm - Bocce Rolls on!
Schweinhaut Senior Center , 1000 Forest Glen Rd , Silver Spring
1:00 pm - Hello Dolly
Olney Theatre Center , 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Rd , Olney
1:00 pm - Berwyn Ballet School at The Old Parish House
City of College Park, Maryland Calendar , 4711 Knox Road , College Park
4:30 pm - Hyattsville Figure Drawing Group Meetup
Pyramid Atlantic Art Center , 4318 Gallatin St , Hyattsville
6:00 pm - Book Discussion: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Laurel - Large Meeting Room A (Dorothy Height Room)
7:00 pm - Seated Exercise Class for Older Adults
City of Hyattsville , 4310 Gallatin St , Hyattsville
10:00 am - Family Storytime - In-person
Kensington Park Library , 4201 Knowles Ave , Kensington
10:30 am
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to an apartment fire on Montrose Ave, where residents attempted to extinguish the fire on the stove, and three adults escaped uninjured with two cats rescued.
6:07PM on Dec 21: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to an apartment fire on Montrose Ave, where residents attempted to extinguish the fire… (Nextdoor ) - Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services respond to a house fire on Nicholas Drive in Silver Spring, with several occupants being evaluated for smoke inhalation.
6:48PM on Dec 21: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue is dispatched to a house fire on the 11000 block of Nicholas Drive in Silver Spring, with reports… (Nextdoor )
🗞 Nearby News
Silver Spring
- Victim Identified In Deadly New Hampshire Avenue Crash (patch.com)
Chevy Chase
- Outraged parents join forces vs. N.J. school shuttle service. See new Ride Along Now allegations. (nj.com)
- Winter break activities to keep your kids active (thebaltimorebanner.com)
- ICE agent shoots at illegal immigrant in St. Paul (kfgo.com)
Rockville
Ok Wheaton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.