Frederick Biz Buzz, Nov. 27, 2017
Frederick Biz Buzz helps you stay in the know about new, closing and transitioning retail, restaurants and services in Frederick County and beyond. We also feature local business profiles, trends, expert columns, directories, and planned commercial development news and views. We want to help keep Frederick County connected and talking.
This edition of Frederick Biz Buzz tells you about changes afoot at a popular new eatery, and a former private school. Get into the holiday spirit with Christmas in New Market, Federated Charities’ Mitten Project. Finally, FBB highlights holiday shopping at historic Everedy Square and Shab Row.
New Market’s Christmas in New Market 2017
New Market, Maryland has a lot in to celebrate this season and invites you to join them in the fun. The historic town has been revitalized with new sidewalks, on and off-street parking, beautiful, and new and old unique shops, restaurants and businesses to please the curious, the collector, the community minded and, the celebrator.
Start with the holiday favorite this Friday and Saturday, December 1 – 2, with Christmas in New Market, a two-day Christmas festival perfect to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit. The shops will all be open and you’ll have time to explore and find special gifts and treasures. Then on to the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. at the New Market Community Park along Main Street. There will be caroling and light refreshments, along with the guest of honor, Santa - rolling into the park escorted by New Market’s Volunteer Fire Department 15/25.
The festivities will continue with caroling at Simpson’s Church next to the park. Get your spot early on Saturday December 2, as the Christmas Parade starts at 10 a.m. The parade will travel down Main Street to the musical performances of the Linganore High School and Oakdale High School Marching Bands, along with Scout and dance Troops, local officials, churches and many local organizations.
After the parade, a scavenger hunt will take place throughout the entire Downtown Historic District of Shoppes, accompanied by carolers, a brass quartet, a journey to Bethlehem, children’s crafts, a silent auction and of course, food & shopping. And parents, the big man himself, Santa Claus will at Town Hall ready to greet you and your family! This will be a fun filled two-day event perfect to kick off the holiday season and get you and your family into the Christmas spirit.
For all the details, check out the event Facebook page Christmas In NewMarket, MD. You can find a list of local businesses listings at www.townofnewmarket.org And, stay tuned for the upcoming 2018 Calendar of Events – listing local festivals, Second-Saturday themed events, holiday celebrations and much more. Add checking out the shops, restaurants and businesses of New Market to you to-do list. Enjoy Historic New Market, a mix of old and new.
Ragin’ Reef
Newly opened at 506 E. Church St., Frederick, Ragin’ Reef restaurant has already outgrown its current location, and is expanding both inside and outside. Pushing through to the former Ryan Electric [moved to 5713 Industry Lane, Suite 56] at 504 E. Church, opens up more dining and utility space, including room for a walk-in fridge.
Owner Steve Deffinbaugh hopes to have the new dining rooms open for Valentine’s Day, he said. Since opening four months ago, the seafood restaurant has been drawing larger and larger crowds, and even turning people away on the weekends, he said.
Offering quality seafood at affordable prices, Deffinbaugh is carrying on the tradition of his Rockville-based restaurant, Nantucket’s Reef. Four years after opening Nantucket’s Reef, Deffinbaugh said his mom, who lives in Spring Ridge, entreated him to spread his wings and open a place closer to her home. Specialities include Wicked Mussels, Lobster Rolls, Jambalaya and Crab “No” Cakes, along with craft beers at the full-service bar.
Not content to add rooms inside, Deffinbaugh is building an expansive deck on the back of the restaurant, and hopes to offer live music on a built-in stage. For more info on hours and the menu, visit here.
Visitation Academy Slated for Hotel and Housing
Kudos to Peter Samuel for chasing down the rumor that's been floating around downtown for several months: Annapolis-based developers of the former Visitation Academy on East Second St. are proposing a 60-room boutique hotel, and a mix of condos and townhouse. Read more at Samuel's site here.
Frederick Biz Buzz will update you as the story progresses.
The Mitten Project: Everyone Deserves Warm Hands
Federated Charities sponsors community mitten and glove drive during the holidays
With a fence that’s just asking to be decorated, Federated Charities launched a winter project to collect and give away mittens and gloves for anyone who needs them between Nov. 24 and New Year’s Day. Anyone can hang a pair on the garden gate and anyone can take a pair who needs them. “The idea is simple – ‘Need a pair? Have a pair!’ We have found that sometimes just one simple thing is enough to make it through challenging times,” says Executive Director, Elin Ross, “and this is a way for the whole community - even visitors - to give back at the holidays,” she added.
The Mitten Project was established as an additional means to serve Frederick County residents. Participating in a small gesture as giving or receiving free gloves or mittens is another way for Federated Charities to facilitate engagement amongst the community it proudly serves. Starting on Frosty Friday, the front fence will be festooned with donated mittens and gloves. Passersby and Frederick County residents alike are invited to give what they wish and take what they need to keep their hands warm this winter.
The mission of FEDERATED CHARITIES for more than 100 years has been to provide compassionate community services in Frederick and offer education and resources which support non-profits in a collaborative environment so they can better serve their local clients.
Green Frederick
Living Life Sustainably in the Mid Atlantic
Check this out! Tips for sustainable living, a related events calendar and a Mid-Atlantic green directory, all on one locally-owned site. Linda Norris-Waldt is the publisher of GreenFrederick.org. Subscribe for free, and read highlights on Frederick Biz Buzz soon!
Everedy Square and Shab Row
Shop, Eat, Drink and Enjoy the Season
When you head downtown for unique holiday gifts, be sure to include a trip to Everedy Square and Shab Row on East Street in Frederick. With free parking, restaurants, and quality boutiques and shops in historic buildings, checking off your list is a breeze. All within a two-block area, the shops at Everedy Square are owner-operated, with the exception of a women’s high-end clothing store.
Holiday weekend entertainment will get you in the mood, starting with holiday music on First Saturday, Dec. 2, and holiday wreath making from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Everedy Square’s holiday groove is in full swing on Dec. 9, with holiday bagpipes from noon to 2 p.m.; Way Off Broadway Victorian Carolers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Throughout the day, be on the lookout for five elves hidden in the shops, and be entered to win an Everedy Square and Shab Row gift card. Holiday music, including the Victorian Carolers continues on Dec. 16 and 23, with Santa sightings from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Antiques / Gallery / Home & Design
The Little Pottery Shop
117 N. East Street; www.littlepotteryshop.com
The Little Pottery Shop is a retail pottery shop featuring 150 local and national artists. The shop has been open for 15 years, seven in its current location. Julius Patellis and Cassidy Stoner have been the shop owners for about two years.
“Our intent,” says Patellis, “is to provide Frederick with the best selection of handmade local pottery – with enough variety that there’s something that appeals to every taste. “We have no ‘average or typical’ customer,” says Patellis, “our customer ranges from college students wanting to buy a succulent in a pot to an art collector from DC purchasing one of our modern contemporary pieces.” The shop is an eclectic collection of handmade ceramics at varying prices. In addition to pottery, the shop features beautiful, handcrafted jewelry, woodworking, glass and the work of watercolor artists.
The focus is local, but the reach is national, as Patellis and Stoner have recently added online shopping to their website. Select artists available in The Little Pottery Shop’s online store: store.littlepotteryshop.com. The store ships nationwide, and offers local pickup.
The Little Pottery Shop is open Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Tuesday.
Primitive Homespuns
120 N. East Street; www.primitivehomespuns.com
Primitive Homespuns, a hidden treasure and family business, is packed with primitive and colonial furnishings, reproductions and folk art. Owner Kathy Maker creates pillows, table runners, folk art dolls and animals. Her father, Jack Maker makes much of the hand-woodworked pieces of furniture – from small shelves and coat racks to tables and bed frames.
In addition to the family talent, there are handmade products from some of America's most talented artisans. The shop’s goal is to carry the highest quality goods and to support the people who make them.
“We try to get as much as we can handmade from across the United States,” says staffer Jack Maker. “For example, we have redware & yellowware from Pennsylvania, pewter from Missouri, glass from Virginia, and much more, all alongside our handmade goods crafted by my mother and grandfather.”
The store is a destination location for those who collect hand crafted works. And the historic building, is a perfect setting for the pieces. “The location in Frederick works well for us. Many of Our customers seek us out – coming from all over – Northern Virginia, Baltimore and DC. A lot of local people come in too as they’re shopping the stores at Everedy Square, and are impressed by how much of our inventory is hand crafted and the two floors of furniture, accessories and home goods.”
A few years ago, the store expanded to a second location, moving its fiber arts, fabric and needlework into a shop of its own a few doors down. That shop, Primitive Homespuns Wool & Needle (132 N. East Street), focuses on fiber arts and artists, and is a place where people can get together and be creative – offering a full range of supplies along with classes and workshops.
Primitive Homespuns is open Monday, Wednesday-Friday 11:30am-5pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm and is closed on Tuesday. Primitive Homespuns Wool & Needle is open Thursday-Saturday, aaam-5pm and Sunday, 12-5pm.
Clothing & Accessories
La Niche Boutique
130 N East St; www.lanicheboutique.com
La Niche Boutique has been operating at Shab Row for 2½ years, and recently relocated to its current location in the two-story, 1855 log cabin. The new shop has lots more room for display, and continues to grow.
According to one enthused customer, "The evolution of this store keeps getting better and better! Whether you are looking for something for the garden, a stunning piece of jewelry or that perfect one-of-a-kind piece for the home, this is the place to be! The latest location is inviting and fun to visit! Highly recommend stopping by on your next shopping trip!"
The store supports women-owned businesses, made in the USA items and organic products. Check out the scarves, pendants, bags, buttons, vintage-inspired ornaments, tea board display and the vegan bath line, Salty Mermaid Bath Co. And that’s just the beginning of your journey into La Niche.
La Niche is open Wednesday through Friday, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Holiday hours: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
A Perfect Fit
14 N. East Street- Studio 1; www.aperfectfitfrederick.com
Indulge in yourself and look your best this season with a bra from A Perfect Fit. The bra boutique and fitting salon is for all women's needs, including sports, maternity, mastectomy and medical, and features quality bra brands known for excellent fit and trendsetting fashion style.
“We carefully curate our selections each fashion season to bring our customers the right mix of the tried and true with new innovations at the right price points. So now you don’t have to “go down the road” or totally break your budget to get fashionable styles that really work,” says the store’s website. The store carries band sizes 30 to 46 and cups to an M. Appointments are recommended for fittings.
A Perfect Fit is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. Closed on Sunday and Monday.
Beauty / Makeup
Smooch!Makeup Boutique
8 N. East Street, Suite 100; www.smoochstudio.com
After working with thousands of faces over the years, Smooch founders Nicole and Kendra Knight and the Smooch Team got together to take the guesswork out of makeup. The Smooch staff creates custom formulated foundation and lip color for every customer. The studio uses only clean products in their formulations which use botanicals, minerals and plant-based ingredients.
The studio provides in-studio makeup application with its unique “Design a Face”. There is no fee for this service, however there is a three-product-purchase minimum for this service. Smooch also offers private parties, including its “Get Smooched” party and birthday parties for the little Smoocher.
Smooch will be offering specials and discounts all during the season. The studio will also sponsor its 12 Days of Christmas during December when customers can take advantage of the “deal of the day.”
Smooch is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Gift Shops
The Frederick Basket Company
12 N. East St.; giftbasket2you.com
The Frederick Basket Company is much more than a basket store, with gourmet foods, local beer & wines, wine accessories, tea and tea accessories, baby gifts, spa products, candles and greeting cards. This is your place to shop for the uniquely designed personal or professional gifts.
Located in Everedy Square and Shab Row for 18 years, The Frederick Basket Company is housed in what was once the home of the Everedy Bottle Capper.. Our store specialty is our Maryland Gift Basket. Each gift is prepared when ordered. “In this age of big business and large chain stores, we are very proud to be able to say that upon entering through our doors, or speaking with us by phone you will be transformed back to a simpler and friendlier time! Our customers are the most important attribute to our business and it shows!,” says the store’s website.
The Frederick Basket Company is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, Noon - 5 p.m.
Shab Row Tea Emporium
112 N. East Street; www.fredericktea.com
Nestled next to Frederick Coffee Company & Café, Shab Row Tea Emporium offers “a perfect cup of tea,” hot or iced, by the cup or pot. A friendly and easy place to browse, Shab Row Tea Emporium offers 350 different loose teas to enjoy on the spot, take home, or ship anywhere in the U.S.
The emporium specializes in black, oolong, green, white, and herbal teas. They also feature local honey, tea accessories and specialty items, including honey spoons, German rock sugar, chocolate candles and bath salts, soaps, greeting cards and seasonal items.
Seating is available inside and outside. An upstairs tea parlor is perfect for small groups.
Open every day from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
