Towson, Md. (March 15 2004) - Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith joined community and business leaders today for a preview of plans for a new Greene Turtle family restaurant and sports bar, the latest new business in downtown Towson. The restaurant, scheduled for an early summer 2004 opening, will fill the space of former Finkelstein's clothing store on York Road near Chesapeake Avenue.
"Towson is truly Baltimore County's downtown. The Greene Turtle is the type of locally owned restaurant the neighboring communities and business owners have told us they would like to see join the growing number of national shops and restaurants in Towson, " said County Executive Smith. "It's this great balance of the familiar with the new that will continue the renaissance we're seeing in downtown Towson."
The Greene Turtle is the first restaurant to take advantage of state legislation enacted in 2003 to allow certain liquor licenses to be transferred into the Towson area. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Jim Brochin and supported by County Executive Smith and Councilman Vince Gardina, allowed The Greene Turtle to purchase a Class B full service liquor license from the Essex area.
"Great neighborhoods, Towson University and Goucher College and a thriving business district make downtown Towson a great location for the newest Greene Turtle, " stated owner Mike Sanford.
Baltimore County, through the Department of Economic Development's Commercial Revitalization program, is supporting the project with a $150,000 loan from the Baltimore County Revolving Loan Fund. The Greene Turtle also is taking advantage of Architect on Call, a county program that provides businesses in commercial revitalization districts with 10 hours of free professional architectural assistance to facilitate exterior improvements.
The Greene Turtle is the latest in a series of new businesses and investments in downtown Towson over the past two years. Among the recent projects:
- The area's first drive-through Starbucks is transforming the vacant Crown gas station at the gateway intersection of York Road and Burke Avenue.
- Bahama Breeze at Towson Circle posted record opening weeks for the Darden chain. The restaurant is now open for lunch and attracting new people into Towson throughout the day.
- The County is negotiating to purchase the vacant gas station at Towson Circle to redevelop as a downtown park.
- Three vacant and underutilized buildings north of Towson Circle are proposed for redevelopment as an Eckerd Drugstore with underground parking.
- Dulaney Plaza has a fresh new look with new national tenants such as Starbucks, Chico's, and Ann Taylor Loft.
- Dulaney Crescent luxury apartments, Towson's first new apartments in 25 years, are fully leased.
- A block north fo the new Greene Turtle, expansion and renovations at the popular Recher Theater and fa??ade improvements to the Kent Lounge.
- Olive & Sesame II restaurant fills a long vacant restaurant space on Pennsylvania Avenue.
- The last section of the York Road streetscape is nearing completion, complementing private reinvestment include a stunning new fa??ade on the Alex Cooper building, improvements to the Mattress Giant/Carpet Land site, a new Saturn dealership, and renovated Honda dealership.
- A new Lexus dealership is under construction at York and West Roads.
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Baltimore County
Department of Economic Development
400 Washington Avenue Towson Maryland 21204
Phone 410-887-8000
For additional information contact businesshelp@co.ba.md.us
Revised June 8, 2004
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