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BOWIE, MD — Giant Food will be joined by other national and local businesses at the South Lake Marketplace, the retail and dining centerpiece of the $1.3 billion South Lake mixed-use development in Bowie. The 600,000-square-foot retail district, anchored by Giant Food, is located at the intersection of U.S. 301 and Maryland Route 214. "The leasing momentum we're experiencing reflects the pent-up demand for quality retail and dining options in this market," said Gary Michael, president of NAI Michael, the project's developer. "We're planning to turn spaces over to tenants so they can get their spaces ready this summer, with opening dates dependent on each tenant's individual preparation timeline." Confirmed tenants for the first phase of the development include national retailers Chase Bank, Sheetz, Panera Bread, McDonald's, Panda Express, Jersey Mike's Subs and Maryland-based Ledo Pizza. Local operators moving into South Lake Marketplace includes Lance London, who will open Ma Pearl's, a Louisiana-inspired restaurant featuring Creole and Cajun cuisine along with an "express take-home" concept. London also will operate L. London Fine Wines & Spirits, an upscale beverage store attached to the restaurant. "As someone born and raised in this region, I understand the pent-up demand for elevated dining and entertainment experiences in Prince George's County," London told Patch. "South Lake Marketplace is a game-changer – one of the most explosive developments we've seen that brings elite retail, restaurants and hospitality amenities to local residents and visitors.” The Annapolis-based Salmoran family will open their sixth Maryland location, Mi Lindo Cancun Grill, at the development, occupying 5,000 square feet with outdoor patio dining. Additional local businesses include 4th Quarter Sports Bar, owned by former NBA player and Prince George's County native Quinn Cook, AjaBlu Salon & Studio, Dat Jerk, N'Style and Pack 'N Business Solutions LLC. The family's expansion to South Lake represents another chapter in their success story, which began when Fredy Salmoran arrived with his wife from Oaxaca, Mexico, in 1999, Michael told Patch. "By securing Giant Food as our anchor, we established a strong foundation that appeals to both residents and visitors. The addition of national brands like Chase and Panda Express brings proven traffic drivers, while local concepts like 4th Quarter Sports Bar, Ma Pearl's and Mi Lindo Cancun Grill provide unique dining experiences that can't be found elsewhere. This balanced approach ensures South Lake Marketplace remains vibrant throughout the week, not just during tournament weekends," Michael said. The second phase of the development, located south of Marketplace Boulevard, includes aditional retail and restaurant space, two hotels and a 160,000-square-foot indoor sports complex that compliments the Liberty Sports Park outdoor facility. "The phases may overlap as we continue development," Michael told Patch. "We're also evaluating a medical office building that would be positioned north of Giant Food along Route 301, though that would represent a later phase of development. We're implementing enhanced wayfinding signage, additional parking with EV charging stations and canopies, and improved pedestrian connections to the retail area. " Liberty Sports Park, which opened in 2022, has six turf and four grass lit fields that allows the complex to host tournaments for multiple sports including lacrosse, soccer, football, field hockey and rugby. In its first year of being open, the facility hosted more than 40 tournaments from youth teams to international competitors. "What sets us apart is our comprehensive approach – you'll be hard-pressed to find a self-contained sports facility that combines lit turf and grass outdoor fields, an indoor facility, hotels, and retail all in one location. As South Lake Marketplace grows, it enhances our ability to attract major tournaments and provide an unmatched experience for athletes and families. This relationship creates a true sports tourism destination that benefits both the complex and our retail partners," Michael told Patch. Thomas M. Graham, chairman, Green Branch Foundation and retired president of Pepco Holdings, Inc., said the vision for South Lake evolved from "recognizing an underserved opportunity in mixed-use development." "While studying successful projects across the country, we observed that sports tourism has the potential of creating consistent foot traffic that traditional retail anchors can't match. Liberty Sports Park isn't just an amenity – it's a year-round destination that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Very few, if any, mixed-use projects can say that. These tournaments bring entire families who stay multiple days, creating a captive audience for our retailers and restaurants. The sports complex also provides built-in entertainment for our residents and helps attract young, active families to our residential community. This integration creates a unique value proposition that differentiates South Lake from other mixed-use developments in the region and nationwide," Graham told Patch. The residential portion of the development includes large single-family homes by NVHomes and Ryan Homes, which are sold out, as are the townhomes being built by Mid-Atlantic builders and the two-story condominiums by Ryan Homes. Dan Ryan Builders currently is selling luxury single family homes and Ryan Homes is selling the only townhomes still available. Apartments also are available to lease. "Development began during the pandemic," Michael told Patch. "The first houses delivered in November 2022 and the commercial construction started in October 2023. We expect the commercial to be completed within the next few years. Residential should wrap up in the next 12 months." Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap

Collectively, we all know fast-food isn’t the healthiest choice. And with rising prices, it often isn’t even the cheapest choice either, with the average McDonald’s meal costing $9.29. But darn it if those fast-food chains don’t have a way of calling our name! The call is especially loud when stress takes over, time is of the essence, or late-night cravings hit unexpectedly. But when the drive-thru urge hits, we must remember that all fast-food establishments are not created equal. While some of these restaurants are notorious for their mediocre meals and over salted taste, others stand out among the masses due to their quality, convenience, and overall deliciousness. To find the top 10 fast-food establishments, 24/7 Wall St reviewed rankings from the America Customer Satisfaction Index for 2024. The index ranks fast-food brands across a range of categories, including accuracy of order, cleanliness, helpful staff, and menu variety. Chains like Sonic and McDonalds scored low, while others ranked towards the top in the 70s and 80s. Today, we’re bringing you the top 10 fast-food spots worth the splurge. 10. Five Guys Score: 78 Change from previous year: Same Stand out feature: Uses fresh ground beef for its burgers. The restaurants do not have freezers, ensuring that all ingredients are fresh. 9. Pizza Hut Score: 79 Change from previous year: Up 1 point Stand out feature: Thick, buttery crust and crispy edge, family-friendly environment 8. Papa John’s Score: 79 Change from previous year: Down 1 point Stand out feature: Fresh, never frozen dough, alongside vine-ripened tomato sauce 7. Dominos Score: 79 Change from previous year: Up 1 point Stand out feature: Affordable pizza with a promise of speed and consistency 6. Starbucks Score: 80 Change from previous year: Up 2 points Stand out feature: Consistency, seasonal drinks, and welcoming environment 5. Panera Bread Score: 80 Change from previous year: Up 4 points Stand out feature: Uses “clean” ingredients that are free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors, and colors 4. Culvers Score: 80 Change from previous year: N/A Stand out feature: Comfort food served fresh by friendly staff 3. Arby’s Score: 80 Change from previous year: Up 3 points Stand out feature: Meat heavy sandwiches and quirky branding 2. KFC Score: 78 Change from previous year: Same Stand out feature: Original recipes and family-style meals 1. Chick-fil-A Score: 83 Change from previous year: Down 2 points Stand out feature: High-quality and exceptional customer service The post These Are the Only Fast Food Chains Worth Visiting appeared first on 24/7 Wall St..