There is already a Kosher market several doors down from where Shalom is going to open. I don't understand why Magruder's closed so this could open in its place? There is no need for two Kosher markets in a small strip mall. I will not be shopping at Shalom, no matter what.

One unnamed source at another Magruders told me that as a company, they are continuing to lose a lot of money each quarter. I'm sure they looked at the returns from each store, and the cost to keep the store open in Kemp Mill was more than they could afford to keep it going. Another expert on the local grocery market told me that Magruders may close all stores soon due to poor cash flow and difficulty competing in this market with the yuppie-oriented and expensive Whole Foods or Harris Teeter along with cut-throat competition by Royal Ahold's Giant.

I used to shop at the Kemp Mill Magruders, but decreased my visits in the last several years due to their being out of stock (even on sales items) and being turned off by the most rude checkout clerk who always seemed to be the only one on duty when I went.

BTW, Magruders also lost my business due to their policy of refusing internet coupons that their competitors accept.

I never went to Magruders for Jewish foods, so I won't be shopping at Shalom. I will go to ShopRite, Magruders in Rockville (as long as it is open), and Safeway & Giant (for sales matched with coupons).

See ya, Magruders.

I'm looking forward to the new Safeway opening in Wheaton.

Magruder's served the whole community. Every ethnicity shopped there. It was easy & convenient to just run in for a quick item or full shopping. Shalom will not serve a community as diverse as Wheaton has become & it's the wrong store to move in there. This small a shopping area does not need 2 kosher grocery stores. Too many good stores have been forced out of Kemp Mill Shopping over the last 15 years and it's becoming a one note strip. I am Jewish & want more diversity in my neighborhood.

I am not looking forward to Costco coming to Wheaton. I think it will be a traffic nightmare and huge parking problem similar to Christmas time. I will shop at Shalom for small items. I am uneasy about the security of the parking at the new Safeway. I shopped at the Safeway in downtown Silver Spring and did not feel safe in their underground parking. A lot of stores are closing or cutting back because of the economy.

I am looking forward to the new Shalom and a greater variety of kosher grocery items to buy. The old store was small and cramped. The new one will be much better.

I shopped at Magruder's quite often because it was the only grocery store in that neighborhood and I got to know the people who worked there, I thought they were fabulous. One of the employees I had known from the Magruders in Glenmont, which closed several years ago to make way for Staples.

It was like a small-town grocery, much more personal than the big chains. They had the best prices anywhere for deli meat, had great deals on produce, and the only whole-wheat frozen waffles and Chabaso ciabatta I've found nearby. I got to know many of the employees, and the last time I went there, they were cheerful and polite to us even though they had just found out they only had another week to closing, it was amazing. Just incredible people. They told me all the Magruders were closing, probably not able to compete with the chains. I'm disappointed Shalom market will be in the spot because their prices are higher than Magruders, I can't afford to shop there.

It really depends on what they offer. I do miss having a grocery store just down the street to pop into, and I worry about the people who do not have the means to go farther afield than the local store. We liked some of the Magruder's employees and miss them, but we also started to buy more at the Giant on Randolph because it was easier to find what we needed all at once. While I understand why they are moving in a kosher grocery store, I am also concerned that it will only serve a subset of the population and not everybody who lives nearby. So we'll see. I'm willing to check it out but it's unlikely to be my main store.

The smaller kosher grocery store is being incorporated into Shalom's, so there won't be two kosher stores in one shopping center. I look forward to the new Shalom's location and their expanded inventory and space. Once Costco opens up in Wheaton, traffic will be a mess and I, for one, will be happy not to have to head in that direction.

While I appreciated that Magruders was there, there were some really nice employees, and those outstanding employees are now working for Shalom's, so it's nice to see them back in their old haunt.

There were a lot of unpleasant cashiers at Magruders, and I'm not at all sorry to see them go.

I'm very grateful that we have another store to replace the financially ailing Magruders, and I hope the community supports them, so we don't lose this one, too.

I am bumped at the closure of Magruder grocery store. It was the only grocery store that I could walk with a stroler and get groceries. It is a pity that the kemp mill shopping area is so limited. there is so much scope of development. Silver Spring square withe the fountain and Rockville Square are the only places that one can drive to and take kids for fun. Kemp Mill shopping area has so much potential and is not utilized at all. Two of the only eating places have weird hours and are mostly closed when ever I head out to eat something there. Why can not this area have some regular eating and shopping places and nice community area. Now with another Kosher store- it all depends what it carries and what are the hours of operation. I hope it has regular opening hours.

Can we have a regular market at Kemp Mill shopping area. WHO manages thsi area. It is like deserted when it has so much potential. If we had good stores in this area- there would be more business for places like nail place etc. Now the most f the parkign area is empty when you do not get parking in any shopping area. WHO MANAGES THIS SHOPPING AREA.

As a Kemp Mill resident for the past 38 years I am disappointed in the grocery store circumstance in Kemp Mill. I loved having the Giant down there for years, and the Magruders was not great, but acceptable for immediate needs. But Shalom Kosher has yet to post hours, and this is an issue for me. If they keep to the same hours they held at their previous location:
Mon-Wed 8am–7pm
Thu 8am–8pm
Fri 8am–2pm
Sat Closed
Sun 8am–6pm
...then the store will be completely useless to me as it will never be open when I am home to use it. Magruders already had lousy hours.

In August I saw a Shop Rite truck go down there and I was soooooo excited. That was unfortunately just a fluke sighting. I currently shop at the Giant in Wheaton mostly, and am looking forward to the Costco opening (if it ever does....delayed till Spring 2013 sometime last I read). I will likely shop in Shalom Kosher on rare occasion, perhaps more if their hours are expanded as well as their food selections, but since I do not keep a Kosher diet, their purpose will be largely lost on me for my needs.