Tobacco Store Will Open at Former Candy Shop Site
A new tobacco, vape and cigar store will replace a long-standing confectioner in downtown Silver Spring.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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A tobacco, vape and cigar shop will open at 8408 Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring. The storefront was previously home to Velatis Caramels, which closed its location there in the summer of 2025 before relocating to Bethesda.
Why it matters
The transition from a boutique candy shop to a tobacco retailer at 8408 Georgia Avenue follows persistent challenges for downtown businesses, including the long-term impact of the Maryland Purple Line construction. Operators in the area continue to navigate shifting consumer footprints tied to major infrastructure project timelines.
The new tenant will occupy 8408 Georgia Avenue, replacing a site that served as a candy storefront for 17 years. This follows the opening of Colesville Smoke & Vape on Colesville Road in May 2026.
The players
Velatis Caramels
A legacy confectioner that moved its operations from Silver Spring to Bethesda after 17 years in the former location.
Maryland Purple Line
A major light rail infrastructure project currently under construction in the region that is projected to open in winter 2027.
The details
Signage at the Georgia Avenue address confirms the arrival of the tobacco and vape retailer. This site was formerly occupied by Velatis Caramels, which relocated to Bethesda after citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Maryland Purple Line construction as primary factors in its departure. The property transition highlights the shifting retail occupancy in a downtown district currently under heavy infrastructure development.
Timeline
2008: Velatis Caramels opened at 8408 Georgia Avenue.
Summer 2025: Velatis Caramels closed its Silver Spring storefront.
May 2026: Colesville Smoke & Vape opened on Colesville Road.
Market Landscape
The vacancy at 8408 Georgia Avenue reflects broader commercial turnover in Silver Spring as businesses adjust to the multi-year construction schedule of the Maryland Purple Line. This transition highlights how retail tenants are repositioning in anticipation of the light rail opening in winter 2027.
Business owners in downtown Silver Spring should factor the proximity of the Maryland Purple Line construction into their own long-term lease and location strategies. Monitor ongoing commercial transitions in the district as the projected 2027 completion date for the light rail approaches.
The takeaway
Commercial churn in high-construction corridors remains a key signal for local operators to watch closely. Keep track of how neighboring businesses adjust their operational footprint ahead of the Maryland Purple Line opening in winter 2027.
Further reading
For more on changes to the local retail environment, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Source of the Spring.
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