OPEN

The Reister’s Daughter: The 200 block of Main Street in Reisterstown has long been a destination for frozen custard and Italian ice at The Cow. And now, there’s even more to love in the area with the opening of this new coffee shop just across the street. Set in the historic Beckley House property that formerly operated as The Ski Shoppe, the cozy spot offers grinds sourced from Gracefully Coffee Roasters in Windsor Mill. Look out for nitro and cold brew on tap, espresso, and specialty drinks like matcha lattes and a soothing London Fog. The pastry program is also sourced locally, featuring sweets from Diablo Donuts in Federal Hill and JeannieBird Baking Company in Westminster.

Dutch Courage: Veteran bartenders Brendan Dorr and Eric Fooy have started 2020 off right with the opening of their highly anticipated gin bar in Old Goucher. Filled with vintage interior touches—try to spot treasures like the silver cash register or red velvet sofa—the bar offers a menu of innovative gin drinks alongside a seasonal list of cocktails showcasing other spirits. To get the full experience, enjoy gin-forward options including the “Jefferson Sour” (sage-infused gin with lemon and honey) and the “Lady Mercy,” which mixes genever with mezcal and orange bitters. Pair all of the libations with bites from the food menu, which lists charcuterie, deviled eggs, pickled veggies, and warm sandwiches.

COMING SOON

Rita’s at The Rotunda: The first day of spring is still a couple months away, but when March 19 crops up, so will this new kiosk at The Rotunda in Hampden. Stationed just off of the family-friendly playspace in the center of the retail-and-residential district, the dessert chain will offer its wide range of Italian ice flavors (everything from mango and cherry to blue raspberry and Swedish Fish) and swirls of frozen custard.

NEWS

The Phoenix Emporium: As we reported back in 2018, this neighborhood staple on Main Street in Ellicott City is among the 10 properties slated for demolition in accordance with Howard County’s “Safe and Sound” flood mitigation plan developed by County Executive Calvin Ball. The Phoenix Emporium owner Mark Hemmis recently took to Facebook to confirm that he has entered into an agreement with the county to sell his interest in the property effective April 1. Though this means The Phoenix will close at the end of March, there is a silver lining to Hemmis’ plan. As chef/owner Richard Winter of Ellicott Mills Brewing Company (located just up the street from The Phoenix) prepares to retire, Hemmis plans to purchase the brewpub—where he once worked and met his wife more than 20 years ago.

Hemmis, along with the existing management team at Ellicott Mills, are working together to merge the spirits of the two establishments under one roof. “Ellicott Mills Brewing Company will operate as normal as we figure out our next steps together,” he wrote. “The floods of 2016 and 2018 have taken a financial, physical, and emotional toll on my family, our staff, and all of our families, friends, and community that we continue to process to this every day. But we do not stop. We are eternally grateful for the support of our community and are overjoyed with the opportunity to remain a part of Ellicott City’s resurgence.”

SHUT

Edmart Deli: Baltimore lost yet another one of its Jewish deli institutions earlier this week. Edmart, which has been a go-to for classics like chopped liver, corned beef, and hand-sliced lox since 1958, closed its doors in Pikesville on New Year’s Eve. Owner Shelley Lev Wiseman, who inherited the business from her father, made the decision to shutter the store in an effort to spend more time with family. “I haven’t seen my grandchildren,” she told The Sun. “And they just grow up so fast.” Regulars have long frequented Edmart for its holiday trays, desserts, and array of deli meats. (Duff Goldman even gave the brisket a shout-out on an episode of Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”) Though Wiseman has expressed interest in selling Edmart, the future of the deli is still up in the air.

Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop Bel Air: Sadly, New Year’s Eve was the last day for Bel Air locals to grab a cannoli at Vaccaro’s in Harford Mall. According to a message posted to the shop’s Facebook page last week, the decision was made quickly. “We did not want to close, however we cannot afford to keep the location running and the mall has signed a new lease for our space,” the Vaccaro family wrote. “We are very sad to close this chapter. Thank you to all of our loyal customers.” Luckily, the beloved sweet shop’s other locations in Little Italy, Canton, and Hunt Valley remain open with plenty of almond macaroons, gelato, and pignoli cookies to go around.

After any bad rainstorm, the thoughts of many Marylanders turn to Ellicott City and its Main Street businesses. Because floodwaters ravaged the historic town twice in two years, Howard County executive Allan Kittleman and county councilman Jon Weinstein introduced legislation to tear down 10 properties on the most vulnerable lower half of the street.

“I wish we weren’t here,” Kittleman said as he announced a $50 million five-year flood migration plan on Thursday. “But this is a change we need.”

The demolition of the properties—which account for about 5 percent of buildings in the historic district—will expand the flood plain and the idea is to replace the buildings with green space and a larger channel for tributaries.

Executives from Preservation Maryland released a statement noting that this kind of demolition could result in Ellicott City being removed from the National Register of Historic Places, and therefore could lose a lot of incentives that help historic communities rebound and rebuild.

And while many Ellicott City residents desire more time to provide feedback and commentary on the proposed plan, the business owners most directly affected have been heavily involved in the conversation.

“We knew this announcement was coming. They didn’t ambush us,” said Mark Hammis, owner of neighborhood bar The Phoenix Emporium, one of the spaces slated for demolition. “I have a meeting coming up about what to do next. We’re still in the negotiating phase. But we’ll move somewhere, we have to. I’ve got kids I need to send to college.”

Another Main Street establishment affected by the flood migration plan will be furniture store Shoemaker Country, whose owners say they will continue to work no matter the store’s location.

“Keep an eye for our coming new location and reach out to us for the custom pieces of furniture that we are known for,” owner John Shoemaker said. “We are still producing pieces despite losing our retail shop in the flood.”

The future of other businesses seems a bit more uncertain, like Italian restaurant Portalli’s, which was extremely hard hit in both of the devastating floods of the last two years.

“Today is an extremely sad day for us at Portalli’s,” owner Evan Brown wrote on Facebook. “[We] would like to thank everyone who played a part in making Portalli’s a pillar in the community on lower Main Street for the past 10 years . . . When we started this business, we wanted to offer the community a unique place to spend time while enjoying good food. We can only hope we’ve been successful in achieving our goal and were able to provide that for you, our guests. Words cannot describe how appreciative we are for the support we’ve received from you, time and time again, after every tragic event we’ve faced.”

Other businesses, like retail shop Sweet Elizabeth Jane, are counting their blessings that they were able to move towards the top of the hill in between floods and their building can be spared from the latest demolition plan. Though, owners acknowledge, the town doesn’t feel quite the same.

“We are all affected,” Sweet Elizabeth Jane owner Tammy Beideman said. “The foot traffic from other businesses not being here is going to be a problem. There’s still not a lot open. You really need the whole town to make things good. We just have to take it one day at a time and do the best that we can.”

Unlike the first flood when many businesses were driven to open, things are a lot different after this most recent flood on Main Street. Some businesses will not be returning this time around, and few other retail shops, like Culture Lab and HorseSpirit Arts Gallery, are relocating.

“There is no right or wrong answer,” Beideman said. “You just have to evaluate your risks, your investment, and your comfort level with the whole thing. The push shouldn’t be to reopen by all means. The push should be to do what is right for your business. What it looks like for every business is different.”

For both Beideman and Hammis of The Phoenix, in particular, the idea of keeping their businesses local has been the top priority.

“Howard County will always be the optimal location for me,” Hammis said. “But we’re going to move somewhere, of course we are. Keeping this place open is all I know how to do.”