AROUND THE PARK AGAIN By Sharon Lee Tegler
Long awaited, JB’s, Severna Park’s official opening got underway on September 11 with a crowd of excited customers getting their first glimpse of the attractive interior with its sleek bar, multiple booths and tables, red, multi-paned windows and the 44 television screens scattered throughout.
The celebration continued at 4 pm on September 16 as a ribbon cutting was presided over by Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce CEO Liz League and owner Don Kelly. As with any new restaurant, there were a few kinks to work out but the family friendly sports bar and grill at 566 Ritchie Highway in Park Plaza is already attracting a following – especially on game days.
JB’s will have to capitalize on its early momentum to gain a foothold and prosper in the greater Severna Park area’s highly competitive food landscape. The community already boasts nearly 50 eateries of one kind or another.
The opening was a long time coming – considerably longer than could possibly have been anticipated according to Greg Keating, managing partner of the 206 Restaurant Group which owns Park Tavern and several other restaurants.
“Immediately after the group acquired the former Bill Bateman’s Bistro in December of 2019, plans moved ahead for a complete renovation and transformation of the building into a family friendly restaurant. By early 2020, construction crews were at work gutting the interior and reconstructing the exterior.
Unfortunately, the work came to an abrupt halt following Governor Larry Hogan’s Stay at Home order of March 23rd, 2020. The site wasn’t touched for almost a year.
In addition to having to pause the renovation of JB’s, the 206 Restaurant Group temporarily closed two of its Baltimore restaurants to concentrate on keeping Park Tavern, The Ale House Columbia, Donnelly’s Dockside and its brewing company operating. They adapted as pandemic guidelines changed. All the while, plans and menus for JB’s Severna Park continued to be worked on and refined.
By April of 2021, most of the exterior renovations were completed with just a little interior work to complete. A projected opening was planned for the end of May.
Exterior renovation was competed by mid-April 2021. Photo by Sharon Lee Tegler 
But interior work was only partly complete. Photo by 206 Restaurant Group.
However, a decision was made to postpone the opening to September.
“We wanted to do it right. We’d had to reopen our Baltimore restaurants, the Pratt Street Ale House and Five and Dime Ale House”, said Keating. “We also needed to hire and train managers, bartenders and waitstaff for JB’s.”
For Keating, his partners and staff, September 11 was a red letter day. As they prepared to open the doors at 11 am, it was heartwarming to see the parking lot filling rapidly. Not only had locals been seeing the slogan “Bites, brews and ballgames…” on the marquis along the front of restaurant but they’d heard that the eatery was child friendly. Now they were eager to try it out.
Booths and tables quickly filled and it was noteworthy that many of those being seated were families with children just as Keating and partners had hoped.
“People have asked why we’d open another restaurant in Park Plaza when we already have Park Tavern and we’d be competing for business,” Keating said. “Actually, we designed the restaurants to have different characteristics that appeal to different clienteles.”
He described Park Tavern as a casual but sophisticated dining establishment suitable for a date night, business lunch or Saturday or Sunday brunch. JB’s, on the other hand, is more casual, lively and sports-oriented.
“We’re seeing diners we recognize from Park Tavern but in a different light. They’re dressed more comfortably for one thing. With 44 TV screens tuned to a variety of sporting events, JB’s is a great place for sports fans, especially on game days,” Keating said. “It’s also family friendly – a place you can bring your children after their games still wearing their cleats. We’re already seeing that. “
He added that JB’s is thankful to be seeing so much community support. The staff was particularly pleased to see folks coming in late one evening following the recent Severna Park High School football game.
League, on arriving for the ribbon cutting on the 16th, said she found the sports bar “amazing, such a contrast to the old Bill Bateman’s it’s replaced”. She really liked the brightly lit, attractive interior with its booths and dazzling array of TV screens.
Diner Mike Milord visited JB’s for the first time on September 19 and also liked what he saw.
“A full house at JBs today. Must have been some empty seats at other venues around the Park,” Milord said. “Wings and loaded fries seem to be really popular here and, according to the menu, pizzas are coming soon.”
Indeed, the menu is straightforward, kid-friendly pub fare with starters like Garlic Knots, Loaded Fries, Just Because Nachos and 10 different styles of Wings. The dinner menu features about a dozen popular favorites. There is a wide range of beers with some specially priced at $2 for game days.
For information on JB’s, its hours, menus and a running schedule of televised games visit JB’s, Severna Park | Facebook.
A Flea Market and Craft Fair this Sunday at historic Baldwin Hall
The Severn Crossroads Foundation is hosting a special event at Historic Baldwin Hall this Sunday, October 3, – a Flea Market & Craft Show with Food Trucks. It’s a fundraiser for Baldwin Hall that will take place within the historic building and across the grounds with Crafter’s and Flea Market Tables. Greek on the Street will be on hand to feed attendees as well as an ice cream truck.
Historic Baldwin Hall is located at 1358 Millersville Road in Millersville. The event will begin at 11 am and run through 4 pm. For more information, visit Home | baldwinhall .
