Frederick Maryland Online

This news just shocks me, mostly because I live in southern Frederick County and I can’t imagine how this idea can even be considered for the Urbana area.  What do you think?  From the Gazette:

Tom Natelli, president of Natelli Communities, is proposing to build a 600,000-square-foot outlet center along Interstate 270, south of Fannie Mae, in Urbana.

If approved, the site would have about 100 stores, and would be built by Chelsea Property Group, a division of Simon Property Group Inc., developer of the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets.

Chelsea approached Natelli last fall, but an agreement has yet to be reached. ‘‘We have to finalize negotiations with Chelsea,” he said.

Natelli said the center could cost between $100 million and $125 million to build, based on similar projects.

But before any building can happen, the Frederick Board of County Commissioners has to approve the proposal.

The land is zoned MXD, meaning Natelli can build a mix of offices, residences and retail stores to complement existing development.

He is allowed to build 300,000 square feet of retail on the site, and would need commissioners’ approval to double that to between 550,000 and 600,000 square feet to accommodate Chelsea’s intentions. Including parking, the center would encompass about 65 acres, he said.

Lizfrog 

The Herald-Mail is reporting the potential start of a new shopping center at the junction of I-70 and Rt 40 in Washington County.

According to the article:

The site plan shows the office space would be to the east of the shopping center, which would include several retail shops, a cinema, restaurants and a hotel

Maybe the solution to our Shopping Mall problem lies to the North?

~LizFrog~

This little tidbit was buried in the comments on this post so I thought I would bring it to the forefront in case someone missed it.

The space being vacated by Value City discount store at FSK Mall will be filled by two new businesses.

William DeTora, the mall’s general manager, said Value City Furniture, owned by a company not connected with the discount store, and DSW-Designer Shoe Warehouse, will take over the space.

There will be two separate entrances after a “reconfiguration” of the space, DeTora said, with the furniture store using 48,000 square feet and the remaining 17,500 square feet for DSW.

Value City Furniture and DSW are expected to move in near the end of the year at FSK Mall.

~Guy~

The newest sponsor of Frederick Maryland Online, Studio 11 Photography & Framing, was kind enough to donate a new image for the header of the site. The great shot was taken in Baker Park by Barb Campbell, the owner of Studio 11. See the full photo and other great pics of Frederick on Studio 11’s site.

~Guy~

I don’t know about you, but once March hits and I start seeing my spring bulbs coming up, and those gardening catalogs start arriving,  I get the gardening itch.  Oh I know it’s way too soon to start planting, but a little planning never hurt!  Where do you go for your gardening plants and supplies?

We have plenty of garden centers to choose from here in Frederick County.  The Dutch Plant Farm was always a favorite of mine but the last few years, I’ve bought most of my plants for my vegetable garden at the Southern States Co-op on W. South Street.  In the southern part of the county, there’s Potomac Garden Center in Urbana.  I haven’t been there yet, but I plan on it.  In the Southwestern part of the county, there’s Stadler Nursery on Mt. Zion Road.  Of course, there’s always Lowe’s and Home Depot too.  I know there are many more, but I’d like to know what your favorites are!

Lizfrog

Here I sit early on a Monday morning waiting for the temperature to surge into the 70’s this afternoon. After a rather dull and snow-less winter season, I am ready for spring. And spring means Ice Cream!

I helped my friend move into Whittier over the weekend. On Saturday, I forgot to grab cash, because Whittier means Meadows Frozen Custard! So Sunday, after the final item was moved and unpacked, I went into Meadows to grab a cone and a quart of Chocolate peanut butter cup to take home. Yum!  And now I am just sad I didn’t go there on Saturday because I didn’t have any cash in pocket because they accept credit cards now!

Meadows has Chocolate and Vanilla custard made fresh every day, in the store, even as you watch. That’s the beauty of frozen custard to me. And it tastes good, too! They also carry two or three other flavors daily (see the calendar if you haven’t looked already). They also have frozen yogurt and started making gelado/Italian ice. I asked for a sample of the Mango it it was yummy!

I have given away the opinion that Meadows is my favorite Ice Cream place in town. There are a number of new places that have popped up recently that I have not tried. The new place in the plaza with Belles and the Plus Mart (next to the Dawg Wash) on E Patrick and the new Friscos walk up window on Wedgewood are two I’ll have to try.

How about you? What is your favorite? Rita’s, Brusters, Maggie Moo’s, Stone Cold or even the Dairy Queen in the Mall (another one of my weaknesses I must admit). If I am I forgetting to mention your favorite Ice Cream place, let me know.

~LizFrog~

This little tidbit comes from a reader tip:

Driving out of Frederick last week on 7th Street, I was surprised to see that a new wine shop has opened. It is right on the corner of 7th and Tollhouse, directly across the street from the hospital. The name of the store is The Frederick Winehouse. You can check out their website at www.frederickwinehouse.com. It has only been open for about a week now. In fact I could still smell the fresh paint.

I chatted with the owner Gary for a while and tasted two different wines. He even opened a bottle just for me to try, even though I was the only person in the store and it was near closing time. He plans to have frequent tastings and eventually make part of the store into a cheese shop. At the moment, he is just carrying wine and by the name and the facility, I don’t expect he will carry any other spirits.

Thanks for the tip Chris.

~Guy~

A reader (thanks MR) had a great topic suggestion for a Friday-free-for-all: How is the smoking ban going so far? Any restaurant/bar owners or workers out there want to provide their two cents? Any customers happy/mad about the ban so far? What say ye?

~Guy~

We now know what has taken over the former Philly Cheesesteak Factory and before that, The Brown Pelican at the corner of North Market and East Church Streets.  From the FNP:

Richard Belles is continuing his family’s tradition of food businesses with a new shop downtown.

Richard took over the spot at the corner of North Market and East Church streets that his brother, Rollie, had for the business.

The Bodega Deli, Beer and Grocery replaces the Philly Cheesesteak Factory that his brother moved to Urbana Pike.

The new business offers pizza, subs, sandwiches, wings and, starting next month, a salad bar.

The shop also has bread, milk and other convenience items. Beer is also available for on- or off-site sale.

“This summer I plan to have fresh produce, vegetables and fruit,” Richard said.

If the owner’s name sounds familiar, his family also owns Belles’ Sports Bar and Grill on E. Patrick Street.

The Bodega is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. For information call 301-695-8425.

Lizfrog

Darrell provides the text of a letter he received from Red Robin corporate offices.

Darrell,

Thanks for the email and interest in Red Robin in Frederick , Maryland . You are absolutely correct. We are trying to finalize our deal for the closed Lonestar at Francis Scott Key Mall. If we are able to finalize this deal, that Red Robin would open later this year. We are also looking on the north side of town for a Red Robin late next year. Frederick is a great area and Red Robin looks forward to opening in the future. Please visit our website in the future for openings in your area and thanks again for the email. Have a great week.

Regards,

Joey Stewart

Director of Real Estate

Red Robin International, Inc.

1029 Claremont Drive

Columbia, TN 38401

This was posted in the comments but I wanted to place it here is well in case you missed it. Thanks for the scoop!
~Guy~