Former Sole D’Italia building demolished; makes way for Ashton Market –

by Terri Hogan

Senior Staff Writer

The Ashton building on Olney-Sandy Spring Road (Route 108) that once housed Sole D’Italia restaurant was demolished March 17 to make way for the new Ashton Market development.

Sole D’Italia has been closed for about eight years and the building and property had fallen into disrepair.

While many have fond memories of gatherings, birthday parties and youth athletic team parties at the restaurant, most agree that the property had become an eyesore.

Some had fought the development, saying the density was too much for Ashton and for the site’s proximity to the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650).

The Ashton Market project, developed locally by Fred Nichols of Nichols Contracting, will include 20 townhouses and a mixed-use building with three apartments and 6,800 square feet of commercial and restaurant space.

“Nichols Contracting is excited, and I am sure the citizens of our fine town of Ashton are thrilled to see these unoccupied buildings being torn down in order to build a small mixed-use development,” said project manager Tedd Connor.

Conner said the project “was designed using input from our community to help preserve the rural character in the town of Ashton, and we appreciate all the support that was given by local groups such as the Sandy Spring Civic Association.”

He thanked the community for its hard work and suggestions.