Downtown Hotel at Carroll Creek Moves Forward

Last week, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, The City of Frederick and Randall Family LLC jointly took the next step required to build the Downtown Hotel and Conference Center at Carroll Creek and a related new public parking structure at 200 E. Patrick Street.  The three parties involved filed the application with the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. This is the first step in the review and approval process. The Maryland Historical Trust will also review the plans.

Patrick Street View with Trolley Building

The Smart-Growth-inspired infill development project is designed to be harmonious with and complement the entire Historic District in scale, architecture and function. It will address parking as well as traffic flow to and through the area by adding access points on East Patrick Street with a connection from South Carroll Street. Plamondon Hospitality Partners will build, own, and operate the hotel and meeting space at their own cost. The City is solely partnering on the project to purchase the development site and build a new public parking garage below the hotel/meeting space, along with related utilities, etc.

Carroll Creek View

As a key part of the Project, Plamondon Hospitality Partners plans to restore the historic Frederick trolley station building, which was used most recently as offices of The Frederick News-Post. Randall Family LLC owns the property, which is under contract to be sold as part of this project. The application includes a request to remove the non-historic press room that was added to the trolley station building in the 1960s.

Patrick Street Entry

The applicants are also requesting to demolish an existing vacant building at the rear of the property which replaced a structure that was one of many making up an operating tannery until the 1920s. A fire in 1909 destroyed all but a small portion of the structure. The building that replaced it later became a sales office for tanned products, and in the late 40s and early 50s, it became a poultry business, slaughter and packaging site. The existing building has been reconfigured since the 1950s and suffered another fire. Most recently, it was used for residential/storage until its current vacancy in 2009.

Hotel Entry from Carroll Street

For more information and updates about the project, including the applications, visit the hotel website. You can read the full press release here.

City Approves Food Trucks at Breweries and Distilleries

The City of Frederick moved forward on an ordinance change to allow mobile food units to operate at craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries.

Carly Ogden with AttaBoy Brewery shared, "We're very happy with the change and the pace with which it passed. Food trucks are a great symbiotic partner for our business. We can worry about the beer and let the food be handled by local pros. It's also pretty cool to see many young entrepreneurs getting their foot in the door. It's a great way for them to join in and add something to this great culinary city."

Monica Pearce with X Ward Distilling offered this thought, "As a representative for the Frederick Distillery Association we are extremely grateful to everyone with the City of Frederick who worked to get the food truck ordinance passed. It will not only be incredibly beneficial to the local craft beverage industry but will also keep our customers safe while they are enjoying our products."

The legislation demonstrates Frederick's continued support for the rapidly expanding craft beverage industry. The changes promote increased tourism and spending in Frederick, as well as balancing the needs of existing restaurants and related businesses.

Made in Frederick: Bare Bites Provides Healthy Treats for Pets From Coast to Coast

In The City of Frederick, many local businesses make and manufacture their own products. From distilled spirits to dog treats, companies are choosing Frederick as a place to make their products and do business.  

Made in Frederick is a feature that showcases these businesses and their products. 

Allison Levitt is the owner of Bare Bites, based in in Downtown Frederick. Allison provided us with a behind-the-scenes tour of how Bare Bites provides 100% all-natural US-sourced pet treats. 


How long has your company been in business?

The company was established in 2011, but I did not pursue Bare Bites full-time until 2014.

What is your product/products?
We make all-natural dog, cat and horse treats. Our top seller is Bare Bites made with 100% USDA dehydrated beef liver, great for both dogs and cats. Our other brands of treats include, Brew Yahs, Yam Jams, Bare Bits, and our horse treat, Flax Jax.

What makes your product different?

All of our products are made using 100% all natural ingredients, source in the U.S.A. Our treats contain no preservatives, additives or fillers.

What do you want your customers to know about your product?

We want our customers to know that we are a women-owned, dog-driven company. Our products are made with only USA-sourced ingredients, and we buy local whenever possible. We care about our community and their pets. We are not on the shelves of Petco or PetSmart. We vow to always support the independent retailer.

Why are you located in Frederick?

We are located in Frederick because we live in downtown, and I also owned a pet retail store downtown for ten years before I started Bare Bites.

What does Frederick offer a company like yours?

A sense of community!

 

Visit Bare Bites

Warehouse Location Address
27 S. Carroll Street 

Frederick, MD 21701

Hours

Mon-Fri 8:30 - 5:00

Sat 8:30 - 5:00 (Only between Thanksgiving & Christmas)

Connect
barebites.com
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Inspiring Offices: Jean Peterson Design

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires. From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs.

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Jean Peterson Design's inspiring office space. Established in 1996, JPD is an award-winning firm specializing in the development of compelling communications that deliver results. They are located in the Everedy Square in Downtown Frederick. 

Jean Peterson Design
Q&A with Emily Dorr, Vice President, Creative Director, Jean Peterson Design 

Why did you choose your current office location and how long has JPD been located here? 
For 20 years Jean Peterson Design has been strategically located in downtown Frederick. When we moved to Everedy Square 7 years ago, we had previously been in a location on Church Street very close to Market Street. Being in the heart of downtown allows us to be integrated into the community that we serve. Plus, we simply love downtown and all the amenities it offers our business and our staff. From the amazing restaurants where we can take our clients, to the exciting events that happen nearly daily, it seems there is always something to do and experience in downtown Frederick. Since we host client meetings, having free off street parking is a big perk of being in Everedy Square, and something you don't get at many locations downtown. 



Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out?
Originally built in the 18th century to house The Everedy Company, Everedy Square was restored and preserved by Bert Anderson, 40 years ago. Our office has housed several design and marketing firms and we could see why. It's inspired and inspiring and the reason we felt at home the minute we came for the walk-through. While many modern build-outs try to emulate the old warehouse feel, there's nothing like the real thing. Old buildings have their challenges but they have immensely more character. 





What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
The previous Jean Peterson Design office was filled to the gills with our own creative work. With this space we allowed the building to really shine through keeping artwork to a minimum and furnishings modern with clean lines. The artwork we do have is contemporary and done by mostly local artists such as Ed Remsberg. Most people notice the warehouse nature of our space followed immediately by our large Apple monitors. 





What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
Our office features exposed brick walls, rough sawn beams, and high ceilings – everything you'd expect from an old warehouse. Add to that lots of glass, a semi-circular conference room, corrugated metal paneling and unique rooftop views of Frederick. 





What do you or your employees like best about the office space?
Our staff loves the location not only because we are downtown but because of the warmth of the Everedy Square and Shab Row community of businesses—everyone looks out for one another here. For the out of town commuters employed at Jean Peterson Design, access to the major highways and Rt. 15 is a big plus. The open floor plan is another feature the staff likes. It allows for collaboration throughout the day, which in the creative field is highly necessary, and we have enough breakout space for private meetings or phone calls when necessary. 

The Perfect Truffle is Made in Frederick

Randy Olmstead, Chef/Owner of The Perfect Truffle, creates hand-crafted chocolate confections in his Downtown Frederick location. 

In The City of Frederick, many local businesses make and manufacture their own products. From distilled spirits to dog treats, companies are choosing Frederick as a place to make their products and do business.  

Made in Frederick is a feature that showcases these businesses and their products. 

Randy Olmstead, Chef/Owner of The Perfect Truffle, creates hand-crafted chocolate confections in his Downtown Frederick location. This month, he shares his secrets for sweet success in Frederick. 

Q: What makes your product different or unique?
A:  First, we are the only chocolate shop in Frederick who makes their product in Frederick. Our production is done onsite. When you walk into the shop you can take in all the different aromas. Secondly, we utilize modern techniques alongside classic techniques in our chocolate making process which provides bright colorful geometric shapes with classic full bodied flavors.

Q: What do you want your customers to know about your product?
A: Currently we have approximately 65 different flavors. Seasonal flavors rotate in and out. We constantly offer different flavors in our store. Each time you come in you will most likely see flavors you did not see from your last visit. We continually push ourselves to create new robust flavors and stunning appearances.

Q: Why are you located in Frederick?
A: Frederick provided a great opportunity for a small business in its infancy to begin and grow. Proximity to DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, and N. Virginia

Q: What does Frederick offer a company like yours?
A: Frederick supports small business like mine.  We are not overshadowed by large global companies.

Visit The Perfect Truffle
25 N. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701

HoursSunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. 

 www.theperfecttruffle.com 

Photography by Melissa Dryman, Fall 2016 Hood College Intern

Inspiring Office: First United Bank & Trust Finds New Office Space in a Former Cannery

In The City of Frederick, business spaces go beyond basics. Here, unique offices allow businesses to cultivate creativity, express their company's culture, and create a work environment that inspires. From industrial to classic, artsy to funky, historic to high tech, spaces abound to meet a variety of needs.

Inspiring Offices is a feature that highlights some of the creative and unique office spaces in Frederick. Get a behind-the-scenes look at First Untied Bank & Trust. 

First United Bank & Trust
Q&A with Dave Esworthy, Market President at First Untied Bank & Trust.


Why did you choose your current office location and how long have you been located there?

We wanted to find a new location in downtown Frederick and were attracted to the prominence of the Monocacy Valley Cannery Building on the new Gateway into the City. The quality and character of the building is unmatched and we did our best to leverage these strengths in the design of our new office. We also like the location since it is right in the center of planned development on the east side of Frederick, convenient to I-70, and within walking distance to the historic district. We have been open since April and have been very pleased with our choice.  
 

Was it “move in” ready or did you have to design/fit it out?
We leased space in the historic section of the building which was just a shell, so we needed to fit out the entire space.   



What inspirations did you use to decorate/design the space?
Our goal was to leverage the historic charm of the building yet create a very contemporary and welcoming space for our clients. We retained some of the characteristics of the Cannery using new materials like sliding glass doors as well exposed brick and beams.
 


What are the most unique aspects about your office space?
We have a mural in our vestibule that has pictures of the Cannery in operation early in the 20th century. It showcases some of the technology and people that worked here, and occasionally we have folks stop in that knew someone who worked here. We’ve also had compliments on our community room that is available for non-profit organizations and clients for meetings.



What do you, your employees, or customers like best about the space?
Many people come in and ask, “Is this a bank?”, and they are really impressed with the technology and unique features to handle routine transactions and complex financial needs. Clients love the openness of the space along with the mix of contemporary finishes and historic charm with the exposed bricks and beams.   

Find Your Own Inspiring Office

If you are looking to open or expand a business in Frederick, we can help.  Contact us, and let us help you find your own inspiring office space so you can build your dream. 

If YOU know of any interesting office spaces, let us know and we will put them on our list to feature.