Wednesday, August 22, 2012

"Main Street Appreciation Night:" Downtown Is Open, Battered Enough To Appreciate Business

Go eat in downtown Ellicott City -- echoing an off-the-cuff campaign that Tom suggested this morning on the HoCo Rising blog.

The train derailment is a tragedy, and Tom is right that it seems to be keeping people from Main Street, which hurts the restaurants and shops there.

The fact is that places are open -- places like Portalli's, Pure Wine, Bean Hollow Cafe, Rumor Mill, Diamondback Tavern, Sweet Cascades, Scoop-Ah-Dee-Doo, etc.  I hear that custemers have dropped, maybe because people think that businesses are closed.  But Main Street is open, and you can get around.

Go tonight.  Go this weekend.  Eating out is a pleasure, not a sacrifice.  But your pleasure -- and Tom's idea -- can help out some people who have had a year of floods, blackouts, and now train disasters.

If you haven't been to Main Street recently, you should check it out.  Restaurants worth a drive.  Ice cream and candy shops to browse.  A bunch of "antique" stores to nose around -- with some modern, fresher places like Sweet Elizabeth Jane and Little Sunshine Trading.

What do you recommend to eat on Main Street in Ellicott City?  Give me a restaurant or store and something that you order there.  You can make a point and eat way better than a fried chicken sandwich and those waffle fries.

Update:  I was on the end of an email string, but it appears that people can donate in memory of one of the women killed in the derailment.  Her family is creating a scholarship fund for Mount Hebron High School graduates attending James Madison University.

Elizabeth Nass Scholarship Fund/mthptsa
c/o M &T Bank St. Johns Lane
9125 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042

12 comments:

  1. Johnny's Bistro! Johnny makes his soups every day from scratch and they are just to die for. Great house salad (I crave it if it's been a while) that comes with a wonderful homemade vinegarette and OMG the pizza! The pizza dough is made in-house and it's just perfection. Yes, the service is weird, to say the least. You have to order at the window and then they bring it out to you, but I keep coming back for the wonderful food.

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  2. Let's not forget the amazing wings at Judge's Bench! (and beer)

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  3. I second Johnny's and the Bench for the beer ;-)

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  4. HowChow,
    As part owner of 2 businesses in old EC, I can't say how much we appreciate the sentiments and efforts of you and Tom. You guys are amazing! We can't thank you enough for the support, along with all of the HoCo residents and folks from surrounding areas who come out to support the town.

    Of course, our hearts go out to the young women who were lost in the tragic accident and their families. The struggles of a few businesses cannot compare to what they are going through, and our hearts are with them.

    Lee Biars
    The Diamondback Tavern & Portalli's

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  5. Lee -- I'm thinking Sunday Brunch at Diamondback. Your Bangers and Mash is a top ten dish for me.

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  6. Pasta carbonara at Portalli's, the burgers at Diamondback Tavern, breakfast at the Trolley Stop or the French bakery, coffee and a slice of cake at the Bean Hollow. I miss Elicott City. :-(

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  7. Warm Mushroom Salad at Johnny's Bistro on Main. Perfection. Also, I think he has the best Creme Brulee in Maryland.

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  8. Flourless chocolate cake at the Rumor Mill, so yummy...

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  9. Phoenix is my favorite! I believe they've been open in the evenings. The best for happy hour.

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  10. Hi,

    I have a quick question about your blog, do you think you could e-mail me?

    Jillian

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  11. Driving & parking info for historic Ellicott City from Howard County Tourism & Promotion...access town via Rt 40 / Rogers, via 100 / 103 / Columbia Pike, via Frederick Rd from the West. Parking behind log cabin Lot F, behind Welcome Center lot D and behind Ellicott Mills Brewing Co lot E all open. Or part at Courthouse and take a lovely stroll down to town...

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  12. And let's not forget the yummy tacos and wine or even homemade sangria at Pure Wine! Or the local Menu at Rumor Mill with their 70 plus vodka infusions! Or movies and Yappy Hours at Wine Bin. I've been going since college and really like it!

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I love comments -- especially comments that specifically recommend dishes or items to buy. Tell people what you like and why. If you can, please don't leave it as "anonymous." Just choose "name/URL" below, type in a nickname and leave the URL part blank. I like following people's comments even if I don't know your name.