The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department has provided citizens in the area with quality and affordable programs for over 80 years. Year-round activities include sports, fitness, and leisure for all ages, challenging and educational children’s activities, the William Talley Fitness Center, and an abundance of unique programming
The year 2023 should be an exciting one in Frederick County, as the county celebrates its 275th birthday, and all of the wonderful things that make Frederick so special.
The beginning of a new year always puts me in the mood to refresh different aspects of my life. And that’s what we’ve tried to focus on in several articles in this issue of Find iT Frederick magazine.
In one, we ask a local interior designer for her tips and ideas on refreshing a home office space. So many of us continue to work from home, at least on a part-time basis. And these slapped together offices we made for ourselves a few years ago could probably use an update. Check out her tips and ideas starting on Page34. Maybe your body could use a refresh, but in a slightly different way? How about adorning yourself with some new body art? Maybe you’ve thought about getting a special tattoo or trying out a piercing but you weren’t sure how to make it happen. You’re in luck, as we have tips and ideas for what to do and who to trust with body art right here in Frederick. Check out the story starting on Page 20.
We also have our regular features inside, about interesting Frederick businesses we’ve found and think you should visit. As well as our Artist Spotlight, which this time around features the artist Yemi, who has a very interesting background and artistic process. His beautiful artwork is featured on our cover, and we thank him very much for allowing us to showcase his work.
Best wishes for an amazing 2023! I hope to hear about all the things you find in Frederick – email me at molly@pulsepublishing.net and tell me all about them.
FiND iT Frederick is a free quarterly publication of Pulse Publishing, LLC. Customer inquiries should be directed to Pulse Publishing, LLC, 12 S. Market Street, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21701. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher. For information about advertising in an upcoming issue of FiND iT Frederick, please contact Donna Elbert at 301-662-6050, ext. 11, email donna@pulsepublishing.net or visit FindItFrederick.com.
If you have questions or comments regarding FiND iT Frederick, you may contact the editor, Molly Fellin Spence at molly@pulsepublishing.net. Many thanks to the numerous individuals and businesses that provided information and their time for our articles and features. We wish to thank our advertisers for their continued support. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of FiND iT Frederick or Pulse Publishing, LLC
JoJo’s offers a unique new-american style dining experience with both a casual dining room and cozy tap house. Our menu features 26 rotating beers on tap, and a full bar with an excellent selection of wine, whiskey, and craft cocktails. A private dining area is also available for those looking to host special events such as rehearsal dinners and business luncheons. Varying menu specials are presented daily, and with a little something for everyone, we invite you to stop by anytime!
Please check out our Daily, Weekly and Monthly Specials and News on our website https://jojosrestauranttaphouse.com/ • and check us out on
When the bond between a person and their beloved pet is jeopardized, the anxiety and pain for both can be almost unbearable. The Frederick County Humane Society (FCHS) understands this pain and works hard to assist with the cost of veterinary care or food. Please help us help animals in need by contributing food or financial assistance to our programs. No matter the size, your
donation to Frederick County Humane Society will go a long way to assist Frederick County residents at their most vulnerable.
Donations may be dropped off or mailed to 550 Highland Street, Suite 200 Frederick, MD 21701
Or you may make a donation by phone 301-694-8300, or on our website, www.fchs.org.
Adeyemi Fagbohun, better known as Yemi, moved to Frederick about 26 years ago, and his adopted home has been a source of inspiration ever since. Yemi says he feels connected to the soil here, and he works almost nonstop creating large-scale murals, glass art pieces and other artwork in and around the county.
Yemi was born in Nigeria and came to America to attend college in New York. After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree, he worked in New York for about 18 years before relocating to Frederick County.
If you’ve spent any time at all in Frederick, you are sure to have passed by and enjoyed a piece of Yemi’s work. One of his murals graces the side of Frederick’s Baker Park Bandshell. And in 2011, Yemi created “Pillars of Frederick,” spanning 175 feet of McCutcheon’s Apple Products Plant exterior walls along East Street. The mural features 40 portraits of people who shaped Frederick, including Francis Scott Key, William T. Delaplaine, and Dr. Ulysses G. Bourne. In Thurmont, Yemi’s mural showcases the town’s railroad history, and inside St. Joseph-onCarrollton Manor Catholic Church in Buckeystown, colorful paintings were designed to mimic classic stained-glass windows, with images of prominent
Catholics from Maryland’s history. Yemi’s artwork has also been featured on more than 200 postage stamps for countries including Gambia, Russia, and several Caribbean nations, and he has produced illustrations for well-known retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Target, Bacardi, and more.
In Spring 2023, Yemi will be part of the team breaking ground on one of the largest pieces he’s ever done – a mural at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, home to the Frederick Keys baseball team. The mural is planned to span 7,700 feet, and will celebrate 125 years of local athletic history in more than 30 sports including five coaches and 250 athletes, including a horse.
We asked Yemi to tell us more about himself and about his work.
When and how did you get started as an artist? I knew from the time I was 3 years old that I wanted to be an artist. When I was in elementary school teachers would pass me from class to class and ask me to draw something on their blackboard because I was artistically advanced for my age. In Nigeria, I enjoyed being an artist. My dad wanted me to be an architect because back then, in Nigeria, the best job you could hope for as an artist was to be a sign painter. There was no market for artists to make a living, no book publishing, magazine publishing, ad agencies or graphic design. So, my dad was gently nudging me toward becoming an architect. He figured an artist couldn’t really make it in Nigeria. But I always had a burning desire in my heart – I really didn’t want to be an architect, I wanted to study art. I went to USIS, a library at
the embassy where you can research American businesses and colleges. They gave me this book thicker than a bible to look for colleges, and when I cracked the book open the first page I opened was in the “P” section and one college stood out, the Pratt Institute. It was distinctive to me because they offered many different kinds of art. I picked it not knowing that it was one of the premier art schools in the world. I literally would have chosen to go to any college, a school in Alaska, or any state in the country, just figuring if it’s in America, it’s got to be better than where I am right now.
I would describe my art as eclectic and whimsical. What I do with each piece is I put myself in the shoes of the viewer, always. I put myself in the space where the viewer will be and in the eyes of the viewer — How do I want them to feel when they see this piece? — and then I design from that viewpoint. It sounds simple and looks easy, but it’s not. I start by doing rough sketches, and I take my own pictures or do picture research to figure out the subject.
Describe a piece that you have created that makes you most proud or most inspired.
I do hundreds of pieces of artwork every year. I started as a professional in 1984 and have done thousands of pieces of work, so it’s kind of like saying, “Tell me your favorite kid.” How do you choose a favorite? On any given day, because there are so many, it’s hard to say which one. I’m inspired by a lot of things, that’s really the wellspring of everything. I am easy to inspire. (Right now, I am inspired by) the biggest thing I have ever done — a mural at the (Frederick) Keys stadium, which will be the world’s largest sports mural. What is it like to be an artist in Frederick? When I lived in New York I didn’t feel like I created work that I was really, really proud of. The vast majority of my work there I don’t even remember. I was just cranking them out. To be an artist in Frederick – it is very inspiring. I feel connected to the soil here. As a result, I feel like the work I do comes from my spirit and my soul. I actually do far more work in Frederick, and I feel like every piece I do, I feel like my spirit is in that piece.
Find Out More: 240.409.5728 yemiart.com F facebook.com/yemiartist/ d @yemiartist
Tips for success when getting tattooed or pierced in Frederick
Kris Snipes, of Frederick, admits that the first time she got a tattoo, there wasn’t a whole lot of thought put into the process. The black gecko lizard on her ankle was chosen at random when she was in her early 20s and visiting a tattoo parlor with friends.
“I randomly picked something,” Snipes said.
Several decades later, she has several more tattoos and some body piercings, and she’s learned a lot more about body art, what she likes, who she trusts to work with, and how to go through the process more smoothly.
“My first one there was not a lot of thought into it,” she said, and earlier this year, she decided to have an artist she trusts update that gecko and make it fit into the rest of her tattoo, which tend to have a plant or floral theme. “Twenty-eight years later, I wanted to update it to keep the same style as my other tattoos, to flow with the rest of them, so now it’s basically sitting on a flower.”
Snipes, who is a mom of two teenagers in her mid-40s, now has six tattoos, the last four done in Frederick, and several piercings, most of which were done by Frederick artists, too.
“If you walk around Downtown Frederick, there are so many tattoo shops and piercing places now,” she said.
With the bevy of options available, it can be difficult to make a decision about where to get your body art, not to mention what shop to visit, what artist to trust and so many other questions. We’ve tried to demystify the process a bit by talking to both body art professionals and locals who’ve been tattooed or pierced local and asking for their advice.
Here’s what they said . . .
Before Snipes decided on the final design for most of her tattoos, she stalked artists on Instagram and Facebook to get a feel for their styles and the types of art they are best at creating. Then, after she narrowed down her choices, she started messaging with the artists, bouncing around ideas and asking questions.
“Usually they sketch stuff out for you ahead of time, and you can go back and forth and talk about your vision and theirs and come up with a plan,” she said.
Over time, Snipes has developed relationships with several tattoo artists and goes to certain people when seeking out a specific style of tattoo.
“Right now, I am working on a sleeve on my arm, and so far I have only had one person do it. He’s a newer artist who’s apprenticing. My cousin got a tattoo from him and he does a great job, and since I am trying to keep one style, I keep going back.”
One of Snipes’ most recent tattoos was a collaboration with a dear friend. After talking about it for a while and brainstorming ideas, they decided to work with an artist to design a colorful floral tattoo, featuring each of their birth month flowers. Though they’re not exactly the same tattoo, they’re reminiscent of each other’s and Snipes said it was a fun bonding experience.
“We had been talking about it for a while and went back and forth and came up with the design,” she said. “I sent the tattoo artist some ideas and he drew up the whole thing.”
Like the birth month flowers, all of her tattoos (except the original gecko) have some meaning behind them, though none are really obvious to a casual viewer.
One is a lotus to symbolize rebirth, another has small stars to represent each of her sons.
Though her body art has meaning to her, Snipes doesn’t have anyone’s name tattooed on herself,
which is one piece of advice she passes on to anyone who will listen.
“Don’t ever get anyone else’s name tattooed on yourself, unless it’s your kids’ names,” she said. “Trust me.”
Body art isn’t cheap, but if it is, you should be cautious. A lot goes into the process, Snipes said, and it shouldn’t be rushed.
“If you look at what they are actually doing, they work with you on the designs and sketches, it’s a lot,” Snipes said. “Make sure you’re working with someone who doesn’t rush, they take their time. They don’t want to waste your money, they want to do quality work.”
Once you find a professional you want to work with, trust them and the process, Snipes says: “In my experience I listen to what the tattoo artist says I take their advice because they are the professionals.”
Look for a shop where cleanliness is obviously a priority, and professionalism is the focus.
Frederick local Regina Chadwick says when considering piercings for herself and her daughter, she sought out someone who was “professional, patient, and knowledgeable,” and found Danni at Blue Crab Tattoos and Body Piercings.
“Danni at Blue Crab did my nose and my daughter’s septum piercing,” she said. “I went back to have my stud changed to a hoop and again it was a great experience. Blue Crab is known specifically as being the best for piercing. The shop is clean, cute, and they have cool art for sale in the lobby as well.”
Danni and Angel are the body piercers at Blue Crab and are both members of the Association of Professional Piercers. They recommend searching for a quality establishment by visiting safepiercing.org.
“When you work with piercers who are members of the APP you know that they have to meet, and are encouraged to exceed, the highest cleanliness, sterilization, piercing technique and jewelry quality standards in the industry,” they said.
Danni and Angel have a combined experience of almost 20 years performing body piercings and enjoy the wide variety of work that their clients bring their way.
They work to provide “a much safer alternative than a mall kiosk for a client’s first ear lobe piercings,” and encourage their clients to “do research, never compromise on quality, and find a piercer that you can communicate with and that makes you feel comfortable.”
New Market, Maryland is the colonial rest stop that hasn’t lost its historical perspective. It keeps its historical charm as new relaxed, friendly dining venues and unique boutiques take root alongside established antique shops on a walkable Main Street.
Most people think that a garden center is a place to visit only in the spring or summer, to stock up on seedlings or annuals or mulch for your home garden. But the middle of winter is an inspired time to take a drive out to Thanksgiving Farms in Adamstown and browse among the jungle oasis that Louisa Zimmerman and her family created and keep going year-round.
Thanksgiving Farms began in 1980, when Timothea Zimmermann received one of the first business loans for women in the county, and purchased the 57-acre farm south of Frederick. She and her eight children worked every day to grow and sell fresh vegetables at farmers markets in the region. In the 1990s, the farm began selling landscape plants and eventually the family brought on a unique array of houseplants, and became known to amateur horticulturalists as the place to find the best. Fresh houseplants are delivered regularly to the greenhouse, from succulents to peperomia to philodendron to peace lilies and everything in between, Thanksgiving Farms keeps in stock just about every kind of plant you can imagine., and cares for every one with great attention to detail. Shopping among the plants is a pleasure and intimidation free. Most tables include helpful signs, describing the plant’s name and needs and helpful staff always offer advice and ideas. With every purchase, you’re reminded to call the number at the bottom of your receipt
if you have any questions about your new plant or its care.
But Thanksgiving Farms doesn’t just carry houseplants. They also have a bevy of beautiful merchandise coming in nonstop, so there’s always something new to browse. Sure, there’s plenty of beautiful pots in lots of different shapes and sizes. But they also carry whimsical housewares and décor, soaps, lotions and personal care products, cheese, eggs, baked goods, candies and much more.
In January, February and March, Thanksgiving Farms is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. In February, head out to the farm for the Hearts, Hops and Houseplants Hoopla festival, set for Feb. 11 and 12. Mad Science Brewing, the family’s onsite brewery, will be open and food trucks will be onsite. Special pop-ups and houseplant sales are also on tap.
And don’t be surprised if a few other spontaneous events pop up throughout the winter, depending on the weather. Follow Thanksgiving Farms on Instagram and Facebook for up-to-the-minute information on what’s in stock and in store for this Frederick oasis.
Thanksgiving Farms 1619 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown 301.662.1291
thanksgivingfarmandgarden.com F facebook.com/thanksgivingfarm d @thanksgivingfarm
Meredith Ericksen, owner of Tuscan Blue Design, believes that when you live among great design, it can make a huge difference in your life.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing how great design can transform your life. Creating functional spaces that are customized to a client’s lifestyle and design that reflects an individual’s personality is a true joy,” Ericksen said.
Ericksen recently helped Frederick homeowners to create a home office workspace for two that flowed with the rest of their mid-century modern
home and included a craft area for the kids, a reading spot, and the clients’ favorite colors — blue and orange.
The end result was “a combination of cozy, attractive, and functional,” she said.
Ericksen worked with renovation contractor Lighthouse Craftsman of Frederick to create the space.
Builder-grade carpet was replaced with a more luxe custom option. Practical and good-looking lighting was installed in the form of rustic
swing-arm sconces and a funky chandelier. The bookcases on either side of one desk feature tons of storage and filing space and give the feel of built-in cabinetry. “We used tables with forged metal legs and wood tops for both desk areas; tables make fantastic desks and offer a lot of surface space,” Ericksen said. “For the kids’ craft space, we utilized a small closet and turned it into a creative work area. Neutral colors were balanced out by a rich blue accent wall, patterned curtains, and a comfy orange chair.”
Whether you have a home office that needs an upgrade or another space that could use some love in your home this new year, collaborating with a professional can help you to plan and create more efficiently and connect you with a professional team to bring your vision to life.
Tuscan Blue Design offers clients a full-service design and build experience, from spatial planning and architectural design to furniture and finishes. They start by getting to know you and your specific needs, then meet with you to create a budget and a plan for moving forward. Then,
they help create a team of professionals such as architects and contractors, project managers and custom builders. Next comes spatial planning and architectural design then sourcing furniture, accessories, flooring, window treatments and more, followed by installation.
“We aren’t just an interior design firm, we take care of all the details and work with each contractor and vendor to ensure an on-time, exceptional project,” Ericksen said. “That means less stress for our clients, and a process that is smooth and enjoyable.”
Ericksen offered up 3 tips before kicking off a project:
Be prepared . Know your budget and project scope and be prepared for the length of time that your project may take. Most renovation projects take 3-6 months. Your design team should explain the variety of fees that make up a project such as design fees, construction and material costs, freight and delivery fees.
Communicate. Share your honest opinions, ideas, and concerns with your design team throughout the process. Timely feedback is essential to the momentum of a design project. Resist the urge to change your mind once the design phase of the project is over. Decisions made in the design phase are made from the result of hours of consideration to function, aesthetics and budget.
Expect the unexpected. Challenges happen in every project. Shipments get delayed, construction surprises happen. None are insurmountable. Don’t expect perfection, have an open, positive and flexible attitude.
Photographs that tell your stories the way you’d tell your stories. seanxreel.com
Every February, some folks flock to make dinner reservations, grab some chocolates and a dozen roses, and call it a day. That kind of date can be romantic and enjoyable for some. But for those of you who yawn just thinking about yet another dinner and a movie, we’ve got some ideas for great local dates that throw boring out the window without breaking the bank.
Even in winter, Frederick County is an amazing place to explore the great outdoors. Taking a hike together with the one you love is one of the easiest and cheapest date options we can think of. Head to Cunningham Falls State Park in Thurmont and hike the Lower or Cliff trails and get a view of Maryland’s highest cascading waterfall. Or explore Gambrill State Park’s many stunning overlooks to take in another perspective of the City of Frederick or the Middletown Valley.
istock.com/ powerofforever/ kali9
Who remembers a simpler time, when a pocketful of quarters meant hours of fun at the arcade? Or, when wearing someone else’s shoes and throwing a heavy ball down a lane was the norm? Or how about when strapping on heavy fourwheeled skates and holding hands as rock ballads blasted in the background was the ultimate romantic night out? Well, good news, all of the best of the ‘80s is still available to you, close to home. And you don’t need those quarters anymore — Spinners Pinball Arcade in Frederick lets you pay one price to play all day. They’ve got classic videogames like Pac-Man and dozens and dozens of pinball machines, a wall of skeeball and multiplayer air hockey tables, too. At 4th Dimension Fun Center take your bowling game to the next level with plush couches and large screen TVs where you can hang out between games. A short drive to Hagerstown and you’re all set for a night of roller skating. Starland Roller Rink and Skate Palace both offer regular skating sessions and rentals, too.
Need some spontaneity in your love life? Are you and your partner naturally competitive? A blind taste test may be just the right idea for you. Grab a blindfold and let’s get started. Visit the North Market Pop Shop and grab a half-dozen of their weirdest sodas and see if your partner can identify the flavors. (We’re here to tell you that Avery’s Totally Gross Unicorn Yak is actually delightful, but Chocolate-covered Maple-smoked Bacon soda requires a more refined palate.) Not into sodas? How about sweets? Choose an assorted pound of fudge at Frederick Fudge and Ice Cream Company, or a selection of chocolates from The Perfect Truffle, Zoe’s Chocolate Co., and The Candy Kitchen and see if you can identify the array of flavors before your partner does.
Sometimes best-laid plans go awry — the kids get sick, the babysitter cancels — and your date night plans are finished. Or are they? Even if you can’t escape home, you can bring some of the best of the area home to enjoy. A quick trip to Downtown Frederick to pick up provisions curbside, and you’ll be all set. Grab some gourmet popcorn from The Original Popcorn Shop and some crowlers of local brews from Rockwell, Idiom, Attaboy, Steinhardt, or Smoketown, and you’ve got yourself a tasty movie night. Or, order margaritas to go, fresh-made tortilla chips and a 32-ounce salsa from La Paz and an indoor fiesta can begin. Grab a 1,000-piece puzzle or a new boardgame from Dancing Bear Toys and Gifts and enjoy your low-key night at home. (You can even wear your pajamas – no one’s watching!)
Perched atop one of the highest ridgelines in Gettysburg, framed by historic wood and stone architecture and stunning views of historic Gettysburg battlefields and Hunter Lake, The Lodges at Gettysburg is a destination unlike any other in the area.
It’s peaceful here with a timeless tranquility and rustic elegance that settle you into a relaxed state of mind. Beautifully maintained grounds and lodging are surrounded by 63 acres of rolling Gettysburg countryside, the perfect backdrop for family vacations, outside-the-box meetings and romantic weddings with a dash of historic charm.
Thrift shops are well known as great places to find amazing bargains. But what if you could shop for inexpensive treasures while at the same time helping those in need? And not just anyone in need, but adorable furry friends?
That’s the concept behind Fetch Thrift Shop , located on Rosemont Avenue in Frederick.
The shop is an upscale resale store that uses its profits to help out local animal welfare groups, to provide medical care and safe places for “secondhand animals who deserve to be loved and treated with dignity and respect.”
Fetch accepts donations of clean, gently used items such as clothing, home décor, books, toys, sports item and more, then resells them to the community in order to raise funds for rescue groups.
It’s always fun to shop and find a bargain, but it’s even more fun when you know your money is going to help dogs and cats who truly need it.
Fetch Thrift Shop was started by Charissa Beavers, in honor of her dog, Tramp, a rescue dog that came from a “rundown Mississippi Delta shelter with very low adoption rates,” according to the shop’s website.
Beavers was able to bring Tramp home but heartbroken that she couldn’t help the many other animals there. After working in the corporate spa, retail and wellness industry for more than two
decades, Beavers decided to make a change once her beloved dog died. She combined her passion for helping homeless animals with her love of finding bargains and opened Fetch.
When you visit Fetch, you’ll be greeted by racks of gently used clothes in every size, from denim to dresses, and everything in between, shelves and shelves of pots, pans and small electrics, games, books, tools and toys. There’s truly something in store for everyone.
But when you walk into the shop you won’t only see bargains, you’ll also be able to visit with pets! A small enclosed space in the front of the shop, known as the Cozy Cat Den, is home to rescue cats available for adoption.
Fetch also regularly hosts fundraising events, such as candle-making workshops, painting sessions, and even yoga. All events benefit animal-helping charities.
So, whether you’re in the market for a new-to-you pair of jeans, a new-to-you furry friend, or just want to help support a worthy cause, a trip to Fetch Thrift Shop should be in your to-do list soon.
Fetch Thrift Shop 1818 Rosemont Ave., Frederick fetchthrift.com F facebook.com/FetchThriftShop d @fetchthriftshop
FREDERICK (TJ) OFFICE
87 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21702
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm; Walk-Ins 8-8:30am Saturday, 9am–noon (by appointment only) PHONE: 301-694-0606
TEXT MESSAGES ARE PREFERRED TO: 301-205-5112
BALLENGER CREEK OFFICE
6550 Mercantile Drive, Suite 106, Frederick, MD 21703
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-668-6347
MOUNT AIRY OFFICE
1311 South Main Street, Suite 304, Mount Airy, MD 21771
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-829-6146
URBANA OFFICE
3500 Campus Drive, Suite 101, Urbana, MD 21704
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-874-6107
For all those who love spending time in Frederick’s historic downtown, with its charming shops, amazing restaurants and historic charm, a similar town is only a short trip down Interstate 70 and is well worth a visit.
Old Ellicott City, which just celebrated its 250th birthday, is home to a number of interesting historical sites, art galleries and studios, bistros, taverns, distilleries and cafes, antique shops, boutiques and more than 70 one-of-a-kind small businesses.
Pam Long, a business owner and board member for Ellicott City Partnership, said EOC is steeped in history and charm, “but it's the people who bring it to life.
“Visitors (can) stroll Main Street and find a wonderful assortment of art, jewelry, furniture, clothing, home goods, antiques, and a plethora of needed services,” she said. “Our cafes and restaurants offer diverse choices for any appetite. Sprinkle in the festivals, holiday celebrations, and special events, it's understandable why visitors continue to return.”
Top photos courtesy of visitoldellicottcity.com Insiet photo istockphoto.com/ Grandbrothers
On your next day trip to OEC, start your day by exploring the charming shops that line Main Street. The street is part of the Old National Road and many of its shops are housed inside historic buildings. Here you can find funky and hip clothing boutiques, antiques, vintage items and collectibles, handcrafted jewelry and accessories and so much more. Budget enough time to walk slowly among all of the storefronts to find your next treasure, then, consider the following stops:
3711 Maryland Ave. howardcountymd.gov/ecborail
Take a free tour of Ellicott City Station, the oldest surviving railroad depot in America, and one of the oldest in the world. When built in 1831, it was the terminus of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s first 13-miles that ran from Baltimore to Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland. The railroad was named for its point of origin, Baltimore, and its intended destination, the Ohio River. In its first year of operation, 80,000 passengers rode the
train from Baltimore to Ellicott’s Mills. Passenger service stopped in 1949 and freight and express service continued until 1972. The station closed for good following Hurricane Agnes in 1972 and was saved by Historic Ellicott City, Inc., a group of local preservationists that opened the site as a museum. Today, the building is owned by Howard County and managed by their Heritage Program through the Department of Recreation and Parks. Take an hourlong tour, which gives you a glimpse at the museum, freight house, and caboose car as you discover the history of the oldest surviving railroad station in the country.
8225 Main St. thecrazymason.com
The Crazy Mason, locally owned and operated, is an artistic, crazy, over-thetop dessert destination, serving crazy creations in keepsake custom-designed mason jars and color-changing bowls. Every dessert they make here is almost too much, but that’s kind of the point. When you’re served your treat the first thing that will come to mind is, how exactly do I eat this thing? Don’t worry, you’ll figure it out, and it will be worth it. Try “But First, Coffee,” which includes coffee ice cream blended and poured into a chocolate and marshmallow sauce and chocolate frosted mason jar rolled in Cookie Dirt, and topped with whipped icing, Cookie Dirt, a warm donut, and marshmallow and chocolate drizzle. Or “Have Your Cake and Eat it Too” with birthday cake ice cream in a blue marshmallow swirled jar with vanilla buttercream rim rolled in rainbow sprinkles, topped with a cupcake and a lollipop, then finished with blue marshmallow drizzle, whipped icing and rainbow sprinkles.
8390 Main St. winebinec.com
Don’t let the name of this place fool you. Of course they have wine here — about 500 boutique wines, in fact, many of which the owners themselves have tried and can recommend — but they also have so much more. The Bin has five rotating taps serving a great variety of craft beer, and also bottles and cans to go. And an ever-changing menu offers up small batch spirits with gourmet mixers, bitters and condiments for the cocktail lovers. Crackers, artisan cheeses and handmade local chocolates can round out your picnic basket. The Bin regularly hosts special events and musical acts, too!
8308 Main St. phoenixuppermain.com
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s “24 Hours to Hell and Back,” filmed an episode in Ellicott City in 2020, during which three downtown EOC establishments were renovated following the devastating floods of 2016 and 2018. Phoenix Upper Main was one of them. This upscale pub is the result of a merging of Phoenix Emporium and Ellicott Mills Brewing Company. Head here to grab a brew and some starters like crab dip or nachos or wings. Or grab something more substantial such as a half-pound Phoenix burger, a jerk chicken sandwich fish and chips or mac and cheese. Save room for dessert, too. The Peanut Butter Bomb lives up to its name, with peanut butter ganache, chocolate mousse, chopped peanuts and peanut butter sauce.
Complete care, right here.
Since 1902, we’ve been honored to provide a higher level of care to the friends and neighbors that make up our community.
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