Former Leahy Plumbing space to undergo renovations in Bethesda
The former plumbing business building next to Heckman’s Delicatessen on Cordell Avenue is slated for renovations. Architect Steven Karr shared photos of the 2,000-square-foot building’s new gray brick and glass design on his website. The renovations are expected to be completed in September 2016, according to Karr. Leahy Plumbing closed in September 2014 at the space after citing traffic issues faced by the drivers of its vehicles getting to worksites and back to the office. The business was located in the building for more than 50 years. It moved to a new location on Rockville Pike.
The look of the Cordell Ave. building when Leahy announced it would be moving. Credit: Aaron Kraut
Silver Spring man wins legal fight against Monster energy drinks company
Li Chih, who operates MonsterFishKeepers, an online forum where owners of large fish and aquariums gather to discuss their latest marine additions or equipment, found himself at the center of a trademark lawsuit in 2014 when Monster Beverage Corp. contested his forum’s name. Chih, who lives in Silver Spring, decided to fight the beverage company’s claim and enlisted the help of a pro bono legal teamcomprised mostly of law students from Suffolk University in Boston, according to The Washington Post. With the students’ help, Chih fought off Monster in court and was able to keep the website’s name.
On Feb. 1, Chih posted to his site, “As of today I can say I have beaten the monster! Monster Energy now has a ruling against its ludicrous and overreaching argument that it owns the word ‘Monster.’ Hope this ruling will help the hundreds of other small businesses being bullied by them.”
The energy drink company, a subsidiary of Coca Cola, had filed more cases in America in 2015 than any other company and did not return requests for comment from the paper, The Post reported.
Marriott, Starwood reach milestone in merger
Bethesda-based Marriott International announced Monday it had cleared antitrust review in the United States and Canada for its proposed merger with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. The clearance satisfies one of the closing conditions of the deal, according to Marriott. Both companies’ stockholders are scheduled to meet March 28 to approve Marriott’s $12.2 billion acquisition of Starwood, which will make Marriott the largest hotel company in the world. The deal is expected to formally close in mid-2016 after receiving stockholder approval and passing other regulatory requirements, according to Marriott.
