MD Resident Only Shops in VA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Things that do not happen when shopping at the McLean Total Wine, but happen near the Friendship Heights Total Wine.

https://mocoshow.com/2026/03/24/woman-who-left-shoe-behind-during-carjacking-attempt-found-guilty/#more-124623

A Montgomery County jury found 21-year-old Roniyah Thomas of District Heights guilty on all counts, including attempted armed carjacking, first-degree assault, armed robbery, and use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime.

The charges stem from a February 4, 2025 incident in Chevy Chase, where Thomas approached a man exiting his vehicle, pointed a gun, and demanded his car keys. The victim resisted, pushing the weapon away, at which point Thomas fired, striking him in the leg before fleeing. Investigators later used surveillance footage from the Friendship Heights Metro Station, where a suspect was seen entering without a shoe and removing the other, to identify Thomas and link her to the attempted carjacking.

I see stories about carjackings in Friendship Heights, Bethesda, and Chevy Chase on at least a monthly basis. No one has ever worried about being carjacked at the McLean Total Wine since it was built. I could walk around with a Moncler jacket, LV purse, waving around $1,000 in hundred dollar bills at 10 at night and nothing would happen. A few minutes more of a drive is worth my piece of mind.

I guess you must go looking for anything you can find to justify your bizarre Tyson’s trips. The fact is that Tyson’s is a hotbed of crime ever since the metro station was built there. This includes an incident where there was a shooting inside the mall that sent people fleeing and caused mass chaos. I’d take my safety in friendship heights any day over the cesspool that Tyson’s has become.

Mclean Total wine is not in Tysons, it's quite far from any metro station.

Also, grocery stores in Tysons are quite nice. WF and Wegmans are definitely not giving you the impression that a carjacking or a robbery is likely to happen any time. Shopping mall is a different story and serves a function of a hangout for the teens and draws lots of crowds which by itself can invite more situations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re not alone, OP, judging from the huge number of Maryland plates I see driving around my part of Nova - weekdays and weekends.

So funny - we recently ran into a coworker of DH’s in McLean, and he says he runs errands there every weekend instead of in DC where he lives bc it’s convenient and parking is so much easier.

But also this thread is kind of reminding me of the fraternity guys in college who would drive three states over for cheaper liquor

Look…if you live in Georgetown, then VA will be more convenient because you drive right over the key bridge and get there. Georgetown isn’t well served by everyday retail/grocery (though has a million restaurants and of course tons of boutique shopping).

Nobody is claiming you don’t use common sense…we always combined a big box store trip with a kid’s sporting event in VA. Once those were done, we no longer had a need to travel to VA when there were much closer options in MD.

I doubt Gtown residents shop for groceries in Tysons They go up Wisconsin, or to Foggy Bottom where there is a huge Whole Foods and a TJ mere blocks away from each other. Even if you are by the Key Bridge it takes less time to use these nearby options than to drive on hwys to get to Tysons. Gtown also has tons of the same chain stores as Tysons malls. I much prefer shopping in Gtown as it's so much nicer to walk around the streets than to be inside an indoor mall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re not alone, OP, judging from the huge number of Maryland plates I see driving around my part of Nova - weekdays and weekends.

So funny - we recently ran into a coworker of DH’s in McLean, and he says he runs errands there every weekend instead of in DC where he lives bc it’s convenient and parking is so much easier.

But also this thread is kind of reminding me of the fraternity guys in college who would drive three states over for cheaper liquor

Look…if you live in Georgetown, then VA will be more convenient because you drive right over the key bridge and get there. Georgetown isn’t well served by everyday retail/grocery (though has a million restaurants and of course tons of boutique shopping).

Nobody is claiming you don’t use common sense…we always combined a big box store trip with a kid’s sporting event in VA. Once those were done, we no longer had a need to travel to VA when there were much closer options in MD.

I doubt Gtown residents shop for groceries in Tysons They go up Wisconsin, or to Foggy Bottom where there is a huge Whole Foods and a TJ mere blocks away from each other. Even if you are by the Key Bridge it takes less time to use these nearby options than to drive on hwys to get to Tysons. Gtown also has tons of the same chain stores as Tysons malls. I much prefer shopping in Gtown as it's so much nicer to walk around the streets than to be inside an indoor mall.

There is also stuff in Rosslyn and Clarendon much closer to Key bridge than Tysons.

[Anonymous]

This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re not alone, OP, judging from the huge number of Maryland plates I see driving around my part of Nova - weekdays and weekends.

So funny - we recently ran into a coworker of DH’s in McLean, and he says he runs errands there every weekend instead of in DC where he lives bc it’s convenient and parking is so much easier.

But also this thread is kind of reminding me of the fraternity guys in college who would drive three states over for cheaper liquor

Look…if you live in Georgetown, then VA will be more convenient because you drive right over the key bridge and get there. Georgetown isn’t well served by everyday retail/grocery (though has a million restaurants and of course tons of boutique shopping).

Nobody is claiming you don’t use common sense…we always combined a big box store trip with a kid’s sporting event in VA. Once those were done, we no longer had a need to travel to VA when there were much closer options in MD.

I doubt Gtown residents shop for groceries in Tysons They go up Wisconsin, or to Foggy Bottom where there is a huge Whole Foods and a TJ mere blocks away from each other. Even if you are by the Key Bridge it takes less time to use these nearby options than to drive on hwys to get to Tysons. Gtown also has tons of the same chain stores as Tysons malls. I much prefer shopping in Gtown as it's so much nicer to walk around the streets than to be inside an indoor mall.

Yeah...my point was they may pop over to VA (which is kind of the topic of this thread). I know the thread was kind of derailed to focus exclusively on Tysons.

I also consider Whole Foods and TJ's as more niche, so thinking where is the closest full service grocery store. I think it's probably Giant / Wegmans up near National Cathedral / City Ridge?

I don't disagree with you whatsoever. Just at least making a plausible claim that Georgetown residents may pop over the Key Bridge. They aren't doing it for any other reason than it's the most convenient/closest place for them...it's not a philosophical statement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re not alone, OP, judging from the huge number of Maryland plates I see driving around my part of Nova - weekdays and weekends.

So funny - we recently ran into a coworker of DH’s in McLean, and he says he runs errands there every weekend instead of in DC where he lives bc it’s convenient and parking is so much easier.

But also this thread is kind of reminding me of the fraternity guys in college who would drive three states over for cheaper liquor

Look…if you live in Georgetown, then VA will be more convenient because you drive right over the key bridge and get there. Georgetown isn’t well served by everyday retail/grocery (though has a million restaurants and of course tons of boutique shopping).

Nobody is claiming you don’t use common sense…we always combined a big box store trip with a kid’s sporting event in VA. Once those were done, we no longer had a need to travel to VA when there were much closer options in MD.

I doubt Gtown residents shop for groceries in Tysons They go up Wisconsin, or to Foggy Bottom where there is a huge Whole Foods and a TJ mere blocks away from each other. Even if you are by the Key Bridge it takes less time to use these nearby options than to drive on hwys to get to Tysons. Gtown also has tons of the same chain stores as Tysons malls. I much prefer shopping in Gtown as it's so much nicer to walk around the streets than to be inside an indoor mall.

The Foggy Bottom Whole Foods and Georgetown retail are light years ahead of the Old Georgetown Giant and Montgomery County Mall. No one talking down on either of these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

Pp didn't say they haven't been to Virginia in 20 years, they said they haven't been to Tysons.

I go to Virginia all the time, but avoid Tysons like the plague.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

How could it be one of the worst theatres you have been to in your life? I was just there...it's a movie theatre...it has the fully reclining seats (probably fairly common many places these days)...screen quality was fine...sound system worked well...wasn't dirty at all. What else are we missing from a movie theatre?

This whole thread is bizarre because someone is bragging about how they drive 20 miles to VA all the time to do their weekly chores. Nobody would have a problem if OP said they like going to Shenandoah vs. say MD State Parks, or they prefer Alexandria to Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You’re not alone, OP, judging from the huge number of Maryland plates I see driving around my part of Nova - weekdays and weekends.

So funny - we recently ran into a coworker of DH’s in McLean, and he says he runs errands there every weekend instead of in DC where he lives bc it’s convenient and parking is so much easier.

But also this thread is kind of reminding me of the fraternity guys in college who would drive three states over for cheaper liquor

Look…if you live in Georgetown, then VA will be more convenient because you drive right over the key bridge and get there. Georgetown isn’t well served by everyday retail/grocery (though has a million restaurants and of course tons of boutique shopping).

Nobody is claiming you don’t use common sense…we always combined a big box store trip with a kid’s sporting event in VA. Once those were done, we no longer had a need to travel to VA when there were much closer options in MD.

I doubt Gtown residents shop for groceries in Tysons They go up Wisconsin, or to Foggy Bottom where there is a huge Whole Foods and a TJ mere blocks away from each other. Even if you are by the Key Bridge it takes less time to use these nearby options than to drive on hwys to get to Tysons. Gtown also has tons of the same chain stores as Tysons malls. I much prefer shopping in Gtown as it's so much nicer to walk around the streets than to be inside an indoor mall.

The Foggy Bottom Whole Foods and Georgetown retail are light years ahead of the Old Georgetown Giant and Montgomery County Mall. No one talking down on either of these.

I like Montgomery Mall, and that Giant is convenient and easy to access. I work close to the Foggy Bottom whole foods, and it's pretty awful. Awkward two-level layout, hard to find anything, nightmare to checkout. I'll take the Giant anyday.

Georgetown is fine, but it feels like I'm in the midst of throngs of tourists and teenagers everytime I go. Downtown Bethesda is much more pleasant to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

Pp didn't say they haven't been to Virginia in 20 years, they said they haven't been to Tysons.

I go to Virginia all the time, but avoid Tysons like the plague.

Exactly. I've met friends in VA multiple times this year but not in Tysons. Actually once was to see a movie in Alexandria and I really didn't notice that movie theater being any nicer than the Silver Spring one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

How could it be one of the worst theatres you have been to in your life? I was just there...it's a movie theatre...it has the fully reclining seats (probably fairly common many places these days)...screen quality was fine...sound system worked well...wasn't dirty at all. What else are we missing from a movie theatre?

This whole thread is bizarre because someone is bragging about how they drive 20 miles to VA all the time to do their weekly chores. Nobody would have a problem if OP said they like going to Shenandoah vs. say MD State Parks, or they prefer Alexandria to Bethesda.

Have you been to any of these theatres: ArcLight Mosaic, CMX Cinebistro, Look at the Boro, any Alamo theater, or even AFI Silver? I’m asking because if you’ve been to any of these and still think the Regal in Silver Spring is a good theater we just have a different definition of a good theater. I’m sure some people think a Cracker Barrel in Woodbridge is the best restaurant of all time too. Taste is surely subjective.

[Anonymous]

OP, after all this discussion, don't you just feel silly trying to claim that everything in VA is nicer than MD? This area has lots of money, and so there's tons of nice stuff in VA, and there's tons of nice stuff in MD. Some people might prefer one or the other, and it sounds like you're a VA person. That's fine, and as you've seen, there are no shortage of people who prefer one or the other based on their lifestyle choices.

I do hope that if your goal is to move to VA, you're eventually able to do that because it sounds like you'll be happier there. But in the meantime, I hope you can stop creating these stupid threads every couple of weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread is going in circles but I would say I don’t like MoCo liquor laws but they aren’t that big a deal— for a party I’ll shop at total wine but otherwise I’ll stop by our small shop.

For a movie, AMC Regal in Silver Spring is nice with convenient parking.

I don’t I’ve been to Tysons in 20 years and I have zero desire to get on the beltway on a weekend to shop.

If you think the Regal (AMC is a different chain) in Silver Spring is nice I don’t know what to tell you except that you probably should get out more. That is one of the worst theaters I’ve ever been to in my life. Dirty, depressing, and police robots have been proposed for the nearby parking lots because of crime.

Bragging about not being to a neighboring state for 20 years and being stuck in a bubble is not a good thing either. I live in VA and go to Silver Spring and Bethesda at least a dozen times a year. It’s healthy to get outside your bubble.

How could it be one of the worst theatres you have been to in your life? I was just there...it's a movie theatre...it has the fully reclining seats (probably fairly common many places these days)...screen quality was fine...sound system worked well...wasn't dirty at all. What else are we missing from a movie theatre?

This whole thread is bizarre because someone is bragging about how they drive 20 miles to VA all the time to do their weekly chores. Nobody would have a problem if OP said they like going to Shenandoah vs. say MD State Parks, or they prefer Alexandria to Bethesda.

Have you been to any of these theatres: ArcLight Mosaic, CMX Cinebistro, Look at the Boro, any Alamo theater, or even AFI Silver? I’m asking because if you’ve been to any of these and still think the Regal in Silver Spring is a good theater we just have a different definition of a good theater. I’m sure some people think a Cracker Barrel in Woodbridge is the best restaurant of all time too. Taste is surely subjective.

Alamo theaters? Those are nearly all terrible…at least the ones I went to. The whole dinner with the movie just doesn’t work and the theatres themselves weren’t great.

This is another bizarre post. I think historic theatres like the Avalon are cool…but they aren’t great viewing experiences. Nearly all movie theatres…are essentially the same except when you go to ones that haven’t been renovated in the last 20 years and have uncomfortable seats and sometimes aren’t stadium style. This isn’t live theatre where the acoustics or lines of sight may matter.

Your example is terrible. A better example is you may think the Cracker Barrel in Loudon is better than the Cracker Barrel in Fairfax…but guess what, they are both just Cracker Barrel’s.