You Pizza Reimagined as Upscale Dining Restaurant, Genova il Sapore d’Italia

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Clarksville, MD – You Pizza, the popular pizza and pasta restaurant at Clarksville Commons, is being reimagined as an upscale dining experience, Genova il Sapore d’Italia.

Owner Roberto Bernades is thrilled to be bringing his vision of Italian Spanish cuisine to the Howard County community. Born in Barcelona, Spain and raised in Genova, Italy, Bernades experienced the delicious culinary influences of the Mediterranean region firsthand. “There are many similarities between the two countries and yet a truly exquisite flavor profile when the two come together,” states Bernades. “It’s the taste of home to me and I cannot wait to share it with everyone.”

The new menu will feature a variety of antipasta/soups/salads, pasta, pizza, formaggio e salumi (meats and cheeses) along with both traditional and original desserts. Standouts like Filet Mignon with Rigatoni Tartuffata, Ossobuco con Risotto Verde, and honey-roasted salmon nestled in a bed of crab mash, will set new expectations for the kitchen at Genova. Chef Nikolas will be overseeing creations from Cippino Soup, Linguini Fradiavolo, and Margarita Pizza to seafood risotto. A children’s menu will feature pizza, pasta, and chicken for the restaurant’s youngest guests.

Interior renovations are underway and are expected to be completed in May for an anticipated re-opening in early June. A contrasting palette of black, white, and silver will dramatically upgrade the ambiance with multiple seating options throughout the intimate space. Black banquette seating paired with black wood chairs, tabletop and privacy wall will frame the dining area, while matching round drop leaf tables will occupy the main floor. The drop leaf tables will offer flexibility for seating allowing for tables of two to four with the ability to combine tables for larger parties. The Spanish influence can also be found in the new bar being added to the space at the front of the house that will feature a brilliant pop of color courtesy of a mosaic design. Outdoor seating is available with future renovations planned including an outdoor bar.

Clarksville Commons, Howard County’s first sustainable mixed-use commercial center, features environmentally sustainable architectural design and a focus on environmental stewardship and community impact. Every business at Clarksville Commons is encouraged to embrace sustainability and use environmentally conscious products.

For additional information contact Roberto Bernades at rbernades@hotmail.com or at, 410.292.5458.

Sharrah-Orchards

Clarksville Commons Farmers Market & Live Music Kick Off Outdoor Events for 2023

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Clarksville, MD – The outdoor events season kicks off in May with live music every Friday night and a weekly farmers market each Saturday on the plaza.

This year’s market will feature several local farmers including Hensing’s Hilltop Acres; Clark’s Farm; One Rock Farm (formerly Kindread Hill Farm), and Blue Gables Farm. New weekly additions this year include Sharrah Orchards, a fifth-generation farm located in Pennsylvania, and Tasty Empanadas from The Common Kitchen. Dimitri Greek Olives, Great Harvest Bread Co., Metro Microgreens, and new vendors Setas Mushrooms and Yorktown Spice will also be at the market on a weekly basis. In addition to the regular weekly vendors, Clarksville Commons Farmer Market will feature more than a dozen half-time and monthly local food and craft vendors including Raw Blossom, The Salvaged Stitch, Twin Valley Distillers, Apricity Flowers, The Urban Winery, and more! New vendors joining in the rotation this year include Deelightfully Soft, Haven Oak Garden Bakery, Heka Saucery, Kora Lee’s Café, Organically Herbal, Wilde Lake Botanicals, and Waredaca Brewery.

Live music is back on the plaza every Friday with several new bands including Automatic Slim & His Sensational Band, who will lead the festivities beginning May 5 from 6:30-9:00 pm. Miss Moon Rising, The B-Sides, The and The Viper Brothers are new to the line-up this year and will be appearing throughout the May-September season. Popular favorites including The Soul Magnets, Liberty Road Band, Out of Order, and The Moxie Blues will be returning for the season. The free live music will continue every Friday evening throughout the spring and summer and will feature a wide mix of genres including jazz, rock, and folk.

Clarksville Commons’ popular free outdoor movie series will return this summer with an entirely new selection of films for the whole family to enjoy. Movies will be on Wednesdays in July and August, and announcements on the exact movies to be shown will be coming soon.

Clarksville Commons, Howard County’s first sustainable mixed-use commercial center, features environmentally sustainable architectural design and a focus on environmental stewardship and community impact. Every business at Clarksville Commons is encouraged to embrace sustainability and use environmentally conscious products.

For additional information contact Anastasia MacDonald at amacdonald@clarksvillecommons.com or 410-854-2090.

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Barber Shop Opens Inside Victoria & Albert Hair

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Clarksville, MD – The men of Howard County have a new place to go for a relaxing shave and haircut with the opening of an old-fashioned barber shop inside Victoria & Albert Hair. Master Barber, Rob Humienny, and Level 1 Barber, Parker Warner are the newest members of the level structure salon located at Clarksville Commons.

Occupying its own space within the shop, the barber area features traditional-style leather barber chairs, a whiskey barrel sink, and shiplap accents helping to create a unique and distinctly masculine design. Barbers Rob and Parker offer classic services including straight razor shave, haircut, beard trims, and head shaves. Serving clients of all ages, V&A Barbers offer styles from traditional executive contours to the precision of razor fades and creative sculpting.

The resurgence of men seeking professional barber experience has increased over the years and more shops are opting to provide a luxury experience. Victoria & Albert Hair has catered to both men and women at their salon since its opening in 1974, and with available space in the salon, they saw an opportunity. “Men have finally caught on to what women have known for years: a professional barber experience doesn’t just make you look good on the outside, it lets you feel good about yourself,” shared co-owner and stylist, Scott Schmidt. “Professional barbers are artists and providing our clients with close shaves and clean cuts is about combining that artistry with the established stylists we built our reputation on.”

Rob and Parker have already begun establishing a devoted clientele at V&A Barbers. Appointments are available Tuesday through Saturday and can be booked online at victoriaandalberthair.com or with the V&A app.

Clarksville Commons is a 40,000 sq ft sustainable, mixed-use commercial center, creating a sense of place on Route 108 in the center of Clarksville. The developers are GreenStone Ventures, LLC, whose principals, Holly and George Stone, have lived and raised their family for over 20 years in Clarksville.

The Common Kitchen Welcomes New General Manager

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Clarksville, MD – The Common Kitchen in Clarksville, MD is pleased to announce the hiring of Leigha Steele as General Manager. A co-owner of Trifecto Bar located in The Common Kitchen; Ms. Steele has been a familiar and supportive presence at the establishment since the food hall’s opening in 2018.

In her most recent role, Ms. Steele was the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Laurel. Her responsibilities for the city included small business support, grant writing, grant program management, event management, and social media management. Her previous experience working in two different shared commercial kitchens in Washington, DC will be invaluable to the Howard County food hall.

Ms. Steele has already begun utilizing her experience in event management by bringing back the popular Trivia Night (now on Tuesday nights) and creating an Open Mic Night every Saturday to showcase local talent. On the retail side, an international marketplace featuring products selected by Common Kitchen vendors are displayed prominently on the shelves lining the walls of the establishment; a new vendor, Mo:Mo Hub featuring traditional Nepalese dumplings, has now opened; and Anh-mazing Banh Mi is under new ownership.

Celebrating four years in the local community, The Common Kitchen, under Ms. Steele’s guidance, looks forward to continuing to provide guests with a unique place to gather and dine with friends.

The Common Kitchen consists of eleven independent counters and space for shelf-stable merchandise. The food hall includes a commercial kitchen shared by the tenant businesses. The smaller retail footprint and shared kitchen spaces allow entrepreneurs to put more of their resources into production instead of overhead, which is vital to an emerging business.

For details visit https://thecommonkitchen.com/ or contact General Manger Leigha Steele, 443.942.2951. Lsteele@thecommonkitchen.com.

Farmers Market Spring Previews at Clarksville Commons

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Clarksville, MD – Spring is just around the corner and that means the Clarksville Commons Farmers Market will soon be here! This year, the Commons will host two Spring Preview Markets on Saturday, March 5 and Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 10am-2pm.

This year’s market will feature several local farmers who are regulars at the Market including: Hensing’s Hilltop Acres; Clark’s Farm; Kindread Hill Farm; Pong’s Orchard; Blue Gables Farm and Mojo Mushroom Farms. Great Harvest Bread Co., Balti’Marons, and Scoop & Paddle Ice Cream Company will also be at the market on a weekly basis. In addition to the regular weekly vendors, Clarksville Commons Farmer Market will feature more than a dozen half-time and monthly local food and craft vendors including Chez Tania, Metro Microgreens, Ellicott Distilling Co., The Salvaged Stitch, Raw Blossom, Real Food Real Tasty and more throughout the season.

George and Holly Stone, principal developers of Clarksville Commons, are excited to announce that the farmers market will once again be participating in the Maryland Market Money program, with twelve vendors selling eligible foods. MMM is a matching program that allows community members receiving SNAP and FMNP benefits to stretch their dollars at farmers markets. MMM allows Clarksville Commons to match up to $10 per household, per market day, for SNAP and FMNP-eligible foods. “Clarksville Commons is still the only market in Howard County, to date, to offer Maryland Market Money,” stated Holly Stone. “The Commons’ market participating in the MMM program means more options for members of our community to have access to local, fresh, healthy food. We hope that being part of this program allows members of our community not just greater access to the food, but also connection with the farmers that grow it.”

Clarksville Commons, Howard County’s first sustainable mixed-use commercial center, features environmentally sustainable architectural design and a focus on environmental stewardship and community impact. Every business at Clarksville Commons is encouraged to embrace sustainability and use environmentally conscious products.

For additional information contact Anastasia MacDonald at amacdonald@clarksvillecommons.com or 301-854-2090.

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Manow Thai Now Open at Clarksville Commons

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Clarksville, MD – Clarksville Commons is pleased to announce that a taste of Thailand has come to Clarksville with the opening of Manow Thai. The fast-casual style restaurant will be located between YouPizza and Bliss Nail Salon.

Manow Thai is the second restaurant that family members Pun Kaotira and brother-in-law Pong Amornkit will operate together. Their Severna Park carry-out only restaurant, Thai Paradise, has a loyal following and has helped the entrepreneurs gain valuable experience. Pun, and his sister Pam, were raised in Clarksville after their parents emigrated from Thailand and both are graduates of River Hill High School. They look forward to Manow Thai becoming a vibrant family restaurant and bringing the bold flavors of Thai cooking to the community.

“We loved growing up in Clarksville. The tight-knit community was so welcoming, and it was our dream to be able to return here to open a restaurant,” Pun explains. “Clarksville Commons has such a tremendous focus on community that we just knew it would be a natural fit. We can’t wait to bring great service and memorable Thai food to Clarksville and Howard County.

The word “Manow” in Thai means lime and is a unique and star ingredient in many Thai dishes. The citrus fruit brings the zesty sour flavor that ties together the sweet, salty, and sometimes spicy notes in Thai food. The restauranteurs will be serving high-quality, fresh dishes packed with flavor that will accommodate all dietary needs by offering vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.

The restaurant will provide counter service in the fast-casual style, but will also have indoor seating for those wishing to dine-in. The extensive menu will also include beer and wine upon approval of their liquor license.

Clarksville Commons is an approximately 50,000 sq. ft sustainable, mixed-use commercial center, creating a sense of place on Route 108 in the center of Clarksville. Clarksville Commons features environmentally sustainable architectural design, including photovoltaic solar panels, a green roof, cisterns to capture rainwater, and porous pavers and rain gardens for stormwater runoff mitigation. Clarksville Commons is a winner of the Wintergreen Award for Excellence in Green Building by the United States Green Business Council (USGB).

Clarksville Commons and The Common Kitchen featured in Visit Howard County’s “Hidden Gems” series on WMAR-TV

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Clarksville Commons and The Common Kitchen were thrilled to be featured in Visit Howard County’s “Hidden Gems” series on WMAR-TV in Baltimore. Click to watch the video to discover just a few of the things that make us unique and a fun place to visit.

Web story:

https://www.wmar2news.com/middaymaryland/hometown-hidden-gems-clarksville-commons

Segment download:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wxleaiofk87vrnr/Hometown_Hidden_Gems_-_Clarksville_Commons.mp4?dl=0

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Clarksville Commons Farmers Market, Live Music & Outdoor Events

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Clarksville, MD – As spring arrives alongside the much-anticipated vaccine, outdoor events at Clarksville Commons are blooming! Building upon the Commons’ winter farmers and crafts markets will be a new and improved farmers market kicking off on May 1, 2021 from 10am-2pm.

This year’s market will feature several local farmers including Hensing’s Hilltop Acres; Clark’s Farm; Pong’s Orchard; and new additions Blue Gables Farm and Mojo Mushroom Farms. Great Harvest Bread Co., Balti’Marons, and Half Baked Pastries will also be at the market on a weekly basis. In addition to the regular weekly vendors, Clarksville Commons Farmer Market will feature more than a dozen half-time and monthly local food and craft vendors including Number 1 Sons, Highland Concepts, Sapwood Cellars, The Salvaged Stitch, Althea’s Almost Famous and more throughout the season.

George and Holly Stone, principal developers of Clarksville Commons, are especially pleased to announce the market’s participation in the Maryland Market Money program. MMM is a matching program that allows community members receiving SNAP benefits to stretch their dollars at farmers markets. MMM allows Clarksville Commons to match up to $5 per household, per market day, for SNAP-eligible foods. “Clarksville Commons is thrilled to be the first, and only, market in Howard County to offer Maryland Market Money,” stated Holly Stone. “Having easy access to local, fresh, healthy food is so important. We hope that being part of this program allows members of our community greater access to not just the food, but the farmers that grow it.”

Live music on Friday nights also returns to the Commons on May 7, 2021, beginning at 6:30pm. Kicking off the season’s musical entertainment will be Cosmic Collective, an electric jazz band that produces a dynamic, smooth, and refreshingly unpredictable blend expertly produced by every member of the ensemble. The free live music will continue every Friday evening throughout the spring and summer and will feature a wide mix of genres including jazz, rock, and folk.

Clarksville Commons’ popular free outdoor movie series will return this summer with an entirely new selection of films for the whole family to enjoy. Movies will be on Wednesdays in July and August, and announcements on the exact movies to be shown will be coming soon.

All of the outdoor markets and events at Clarksville Commons require masks to be worn and social distancing maintained.

Clarksville Commons, Howard County’s first sustainable mixed-use commercial center, features environmentally sustainable architectural design and a focus on environmental stewardship and community impact. Every business at Clarksville Commons is encouraged to embrace sustainability and use environmentally conscious products.

For additional information contact Anastasia MacDonald at macdonald@clarksvillecommons.com or 410-854-2090.

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Bliss Natural Nail Care Opens at Clarksville Commons

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Clarksville, MD – Co-owner and operator Kelly Vo is pleased to announce the opening of Bliss Natural Nail Care at Clarksville Commons. Bliss was able to open quickly, even during these difficult times of a global pandemic, with only minimal work needed to update the space formerly occupied by Frenchies Modern Nail Care.

An updated décor with an emphasis on the calming attributes of the ocean invites you to relax from the moment you enter. With a brilliant wall featuring thousands of nail polishes, customers have a sea of colors to choose from when it comes to their manicure and pedicure. Bliss is a natural salon, so no artificial or acrylic nails are offered, allowing the space to be free of dust and chemical odor. In addition to the eight pedicure and nine manicure stations, a private room for face waxing has been added.

Bliss Natural Nail Care services utilize single-use tools for both manicures and pedicures, and removable single-use linings for pedicures. The salon’s stringent cleanliness policy was enhanced in deference to the nation’s new recommendations in relation to COVID-19. A sink has been added to the welcome area for guests to wash their hands before and after their spa treatment; temperatures will be taken upon arrival; plexiglass has been added to all workstations; social distancing is being adhered to with every other workstation in use as a given time; and a maximum of ten people will be allowed in the spa at one time.

Co-owner Kelly Vo is thrilled to be a part of the Clarksville Commons community. “I have wanted to open a nail salon in this area for such a long time. The opportunity to be here at Clarksville Commons is exciting for me and I hope to become a valuable member of this business community.”

Clarksville Commons is approximately 50,000 sq. ft sustainable, mixed-use commercial center, creating a sense of place on Route 108 in the center of Clarksville. Clarksville Commons features environmentally sustainable architectural design, including photovoltaic solar panels, a green roof, cisterns to capture rainwater, and porous pavers and rain gardens for storm water runoff mitigation. Clarksville Commons is a winner of the Wintergreen Award for Excellence in Green Building by the United States Green Business Council (USGB).

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Bushel and a Peck to Open at Clarksville Commons

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Clarksville, MD – George and Holly Stone, principal developers of Clarksville Commons, are thrilled to announce that Bushel and a Peck Kitchen & Bar will be taking over the restaurant space formerly occupied by Food Plenty.

A joint venture between longtime friend sommelier Rob Wecker and Chef Joe Krywucki who have worked together several times over the years, Bushel and a Peck promises to bring the very best of the Chesapeake to their menu.

“Joe and I are thrilled to be opening Bushel and a Peck,” says Co-Owner Rob Wecker. “We hope to capture the spirit of the Chesapeake in our menu and offer a welcoming, approachable dining experience for the Clarksville community.”

“Bushel & a Peck is inspired by our love of the water and the flavors that come from the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay watershed,” adds Co-Owner and Executive Chef Joe Krywucki.  “The name of the restaurant also carries a sentimental value, as it was my mother’s favorite song to sing to me and my siblings when we were young.”

Working with and supporting family farmers is a hallmark of the team and they intend to include many locally sourced items on the Bushel and a Peck Kitchen & Bar menu.

The existing space provides Wecker and Krywucki a strong foundation to build upon and will likely enable them to have a quick renovation and open as early as Labor Day. Bushel and a Peck will retain the existing layout with seating for over 200, including the outdoor patio space. They plan to slightly alter the bar to allow for a dozen beers, several wines, and even cocktails on tap.

Clarksville Commons, Howard County’s first sustainable mixed-use commercial center, features environmentally sustainable architectural design and a focus on environmental stewardship and community impact. Every business at Clarksville Commons is encouraged to embrace sustainability and use environmentally conscious products.

For additional information contact Rob Wecker at bushelpeckkitchen@gmail.com or via Iron Bridge Wine Company at, 410.997.3456.