AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
We were saddened to hear that yet another of Park Plaza’s well- established businesses would be closing its doors for good. Owners Brittany and Ted Meade announced just after Christmas that, as their lease comes to an end in a couple of months, they made the difficult decision to permanently close Park Home.
“Our lives changed significantly since we took over the store three years ago; we now have a six-month-old baby and other job commitments that require our attention,” said Brittany (who is pictured above).
Ted added that the couple is incredibly grateful for the support from their loyal customers who welcomed them into the Severna Park community after taking over the reins of Park Home from its previous owners Heather and Scott Summers in April of 2022.
Park Home’s official last-day open will be in February 2025. For further details see Facebook. Meantime, a storewide clearance has already begun with 30% off everything in the store. The store will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Brittany and Ted are eager to let Park Home supporters know that they have something new in the works that they’ll be sharing soon.
Park Home is, by no means, the first well-known retail business to leave Severna Park within the past few years. In fact, several have reestablished their stores elsewhere.
From July of 2015 through December of 2019 Jessica Zaleskiwicz’ flair for retro decor and fashion was on display at Coco Couture in Severna Park, the independent family business for which she created unique and delicious chocolates.
Following a few years’ pause to work fulltime while completing her bachelor’s degree in business management, it was wonderful to see the chocolatier behind the candy counter at her new shop Hon Style Sweets in Pasadena during its Grand Opening last May 24th. True to expectations, she and her business partner Shannon Speakman were wearing hon style fashions and hairdos complete with cute aprons.
We inquired of Jessica and Shannon why they chose to locate the shop in Pasadena and wondered whether it had anything to do with the rapidly rising cost of leasing commercial properties in Severna Park. Both indicated that the higher rents for those locations were definitely a factor as they have a budget… and they’d observed that the Pasadena community is really good about supporting small businesses.
One of Severna Park’s most long-lived and popular retailers, JOANN Fabrics and Crafts, also in Park Plaza, closed on January 1st,2024. It had been located at Park Plaza for 30 or more years and may have been an anchor store.
There were suggestions that the rent had been raised and the store was willing to pay but Park Plaza wouldn’t renew the lease. However, we were unable to confirm these. Shortly thereafter, we learned that Mom’s Organic Market had signed a lease for 11,893 square feet at Park Plaza with plans to move into the space late in 2024 or early in 2025. Thus far that has not taken place.
The JOANN Fabric and Crafts Annapolis at 150 Jennifer Road remains open. Though less convenient, it carries the same fabrics and crafts supplies JOANN Fabrics is known for.
At roughly the same time JOANN’s closed, we were surprised to learn that, after six years on Jumper’s Hole Road in Severna Park, AA County Farm, Lawn & Garden Center, LLC. would be closing when its lease ended as the property owner wished to develop the acreage.
Corey Stephens, owner of the 97-year-old farm and garden business that began in Brooklyn Park, contacted a realtor and soon realized that rents for similar properties in Severna Park were prohibitive. At age 65, Stephens initially wondered whether he should continue with the business.
He was relieved to find a new location in Pasadena which actually came to him through a longtime customer related to the property’s owner. She was upset to learn that the garden center was closing in Severna Park and in need of a new location. She urged her husband, Bud, the owner of Arundel Seafood and landlord of the then unoccupied adjoining unit, to reach out and offer it to Stephens. He did. The new location, at 224 Mountain Road, is ideal. The two businesses help each other and, fortunately, the garden center still draws many of its Severna Park customers.
Last March 25th, Ledo Pizza & Pasta closed its doors after 32 years as one of Park Plaza’s anchor businesses and began work on the transformation of its new location at 342 Ritchie Highway. According to Ledo Pizza’s owner Martin Gorman, he bought the already existing restaurant from previous owners in 1998 and believes it was originally opened in 1992. In the 26 years he’s operated the popular eatery, his customer base has grown by leaps and bounds.
“Unfortunately, we lost our lease and couldn’t come to successful negotiations on a new deal. Basically, the rents were raised and we couldn’t remain profitable at those rates,” Gorman explained.
He took over the restaurant in 1998 and later expanded it to the building next door adding 60 seats. Capitalizing on that original success, Gorman now has Ledo Pizza locations in Millersville and on Kent Island and is a partner in the one at BWI.
On April 23rd, we joined Gorman, his staff and numerous friends from Severna Park’s business community during the restaurant’s official reopening celebration. During the ceremony and ribbon cutting conducted by Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League, Gorman mentioned that he had kept his entire staff from the Park Plaza location and paid their salaries for the three weeks they closed down to remodel the building (previously home to Cakes & Confections) and make the move.
We noted that the former Ledo Pizza location at Park Plaza remains empty. A neighboring business, Sullivan’s Cove, closed last spring for good. However, the new Cypress Restaurant opened in the space in late November in time for the holidays.
Severn Crossroads Foundation announces the passing of longtime president Anne Agee
We received word from the Trustees of Historic Baldwin Hall that Anne Scrivener Agee passed away this week. Agee served as a Trustee of Historic Baldwin Hall and as President of Severn Cross Roads Foundation for many years. Her friendship, leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm will be greatly missed.
Having graduated from The School Sisters of Notre Dame Aspiranture for girls aspiring to be nuns, she ultimately changed her life’s path, earning her associate degree from Anne Arundel Community College and English degrees from Duquesne University (BA) and Ohio University (MA) and a PhD in rhetoric from Catholic University.
Dr. Agee taught creative writing at Anne Arundel Community College for many years, followed by a decades-long second career in information technology at George Mason University, the Connecticut State University System, and finally retiring from UMass Boston as Vice Provost and CIO.
Her interest in genealogy and history led her to become a founding member of the Anne Arundel County Historic Trust, a trustee of Historic Baldwin Hall and the president of the Severn Crossroads Foundation.
We were on hand in June for a “Re-Birthday Party during which Agee helped with the unveiling of a sign outlining the history of beautiful Baldwin Hall which was constructed as a church at the intersection known as Severn Crossroads in Crownsville in 1861. A moment later, guest Carol Benson, executive director of the Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area, stepped forward to make remarks and give a special citation to Dr. Agee for her leadership in historic preservation and her vision in creating the sign.
Anne Agee’s love of music inspired her to become a member of the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus, which bases its activities at Baldwin Hall. Sally Burton, the director of the chorus is also a trustee and treasurer of the Severn Cross Roads Foundation.
“Anne was our wonderful President,” Burton said. “We will miss her terribly. She was a visionary leader and brilliant writer, and she enabled us to secure needed grant funds to help maintain our historical building.”
Sally Burton also had fond memories of Anne as a member of the chorus for several years.
“Anne was with us on the chorus’ memorable trip to Ireland,” she said.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
