AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
Occasionally, research for future columns takes Around The Park Again outside of Severna Park along nearby highways and byways. Last Tuesday we met with realtor Theresa Kurtz to get the scoop on residential real estate trends in Anne Arundel County. (I first met Kurtz several years ago at a Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber event while Kurtz was associated with the Severna Park Voice.) She suggested we get together at a restaurant recently opened by her friend Stephanie Fennell in Edgewater called 100 Lots Kitchen + Bar.
Serving local scratch-made food and drinks in an inviting space with a rustic flavor, the new eatery’s unusual name is an added draw for curious diners. When introduced to Fennell, we couldn’t resist asking her what it signifies. We were fascinated when she explained that the name dates back to the very beginnings of the colony of Maryland in 1632.
“My business partner and I are history nerds who were intrigued with the early history of Edgewater,” Fennell said. “Then a port surrounded by the Town of London, the area was more populous than Annapolis. In 1683, in order to grow commerce, promote town formation and assure the colony’s success, the Maryland General Assembly divided existing land holdings into 100 one-acre lots through ‘An Act for Advancing the Trade of Tobacco’. We decided ‘100 Lots’ would be a perfect name for our restaurant.”
The partners’ nod to local history is evident in the eatery’s decor. There are tobacco burden baskets on one wall. On another wall are tobacco harvesting tools and seafood industry equipment like clam rakes. Tobacco was one of the main exports from the Edgewater/Londontown area during the colonial era.
Tobacco burden baskets for carry bundles of harvested leaves. 
Equipment historically used in both the tobacco and seafood industries including sythes, clamps and clam rakes among other items.
On opposing walls and along the handsome bar, the oyster industry is represented by historic photographs and pieces of equipment displayed on the walls. Vintage oyster cans arranged on a shelf above the bar illustrate that, by the mid-1800’s cannery technology had progressed to a point where canning fresh oysters from local waters was a safe alternative to shipping live oysters without risking spoilage.
Even on a rainy day like Tuesday, the interior is bright with three walls of windows.
The lighter woods of tables arranged in pairs or small groupings in the open spaces nearest the front entrance contrast nicely with the dark woods of the bar opposite them.
An adjoining room combines similar tables with booths along one wall.
Fennell, a single mother, observed that she has opened her “first” restaurant at a time when the economy is questionable. We wondered aloud how she’d had the courage for such an undertaking.
Passionate about serving good food to people, Fennell has had a lot of experience managing other restaurants. Rather than coming from a food background, she has a degree in psychology. However, she paid for college by working in restaurants. Then life happened and she ended up being in the industry for about 25 years. After having run restaurants for others, she decided it was time to run one of her own.
Nevertheless, she admits she had some qualms about taking over ownership of the business previously known as The Broadneck Grill & Cantina, a Mexican restaurant.
“It’s uncharted territory for me as I’ve never owned a business, but everything seemed to line up,” she said. “During the Covid pandemic, I was running a couple of restaurants. Everyone was super nervous but we were able to adapt to the situation so we could be prosperous. I feel that, with 100 Lots, we should always be able to adapt to what’s going on, even in these uncertain times. I’m confident in my ability to do that.”
She believes her background in psychology impacts how she approaches her business, her employees, her clientele and even the menus.
100 Lots’ menus are seasonal and change four times a year. Fennell and staff are “all about supporting local businesses”, sourcing products from local farmers like Tony Hamilton from Pond View Acres in Hughesville as well as from farmer’s markets. Her creative chef, Mike Tolle, whom she brought with her from a former restaurant, is particularly adept at turning her ideas into delicious entrees. Iris Fuentes, her kitchen manager is an expert baker.
Tuesday nights are Oyster Nights at 100 Lots when dishes like “Oysters on Half Shell” and “Oysters Rockefeller” are served. (The eatery works with the Chesapeake Bay’s Oyster Restoration Program by contributing their shells for reef building projects.)
The restaurant will be teaming up with neighbor Edgewater Liquors for 100 Lots Kitchen + Bar’s first event, a Spring Menu and Beer Tasting on March 21 at 6 pm. Given the menu, the knowledgeable gents from Edgewater Liquors have paired different beers with each of the four courses plus a dessert and they’ll be on hand to talk about each. Chef Tolle will be speaking about the spring dishes being showcased while farmer Tony Hamilton will talk about the meats chosen.
Like all foods served year-round, everything on the menu will be made from scratch including the Mozarella that is part of the appetizer. Even the sausages being used will be ground onsite. To view the menu, you can visit 100 Lots Kitchen +Bar at Facebook. We had a preview of all four courses and were fascinated to hear that the fourth course of Short Rib & Bangers served over Mashed Potatoes is being paired with a Sammy Smith Organic Chocolate beer.
Be on the lookout for my column on local real estate trends next week.
Severna Park Community Center Health & Wellness Expo on March 16
On Saturday, March 16 the Severna Park Community Center is hosting a free Health & Wellness Expo in the community center’s gymnasium from 11 am till 2 pm. Forty exhibitors from health and fitness businesses and organizations will be present. There will be swag bags, raffles and giveaways, free blood pressure and hearing screenings and other tests. For information, visit Health & Wellness Expo – Severna Park Community Center (spcommunitycenter.org).
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.
