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.

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Common Kitchen Businesses Work to Feed Healthcare Providers and Those in Need

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Clarksville, MD – Several of the businesses that are part of The Common Kitchen, Howard County’s first food hall, have taken their commitment to serving the community to new heights during the nation’s coronavirus pandemic.

Koshary-by-Misteka’s #DontEatAlone campaign has donated funds to several groups over the last few weeks including the Maryland Food Bank and Baltimore’s Mera Kitchen Collective. The Collective is staffed by refugees and to date they have cooked/packaged/provided over 6000 free community meals thanks to the generosity of donors like Misteka.

Koshary-by-Misteka’s loyal client base has also found a way to contribute their help by donating koshary bowls and meals to healthcare workers at Montgomery General Hospital. Over 50 meals including koshary bowls, salads, and falafel, have been donated by customers for medical and essential staff. The outpouring of support has led owner Iman Moussa to create the #ThankYouMeal campaign. Within just two days of its creation, over 60 meals have been ordered and donated to healthcare workers and staff. Customers who wish to donate meals can do so by ordering the meals online at KosharybyMisteka.com and listing as donation for #ThankYouMeal in the comments.

Tasty Empanadas, a new addition to The Common Kitchen that opened in December 2019, was still adjusting to the demands of being a sole proprietor when Maryland was required to shelter to in place. Owner Lourdes Karina Pinto had closed her business to assess steps forward when she began to be contacted by groups needing large orders. With help from her family members, Lourdes was able to make over 1100 empanadas for workers at Johns Hopkins Howard County General Hospital. Her daughter, who can often be found behind the counter at The Common Kitchen, baked dozens of cookies to hand out to the healthcare workers in appreciation for their hard work and sacrifice.

Holly Stone, the managing partner of GreenStone Ventures II and The Common Kitchen, was not at all surprised to hear that such acts of kindness were being led by businesses from the food hall and marketplace. “The two-part goal of The Common Kitchen is to nourish the community while growing small businesses by bringing together local entrepreneurs and hungry people. That is a commitment that all of us at The Common Kitchen take to heart and if anything, this situation has shown us that there are times when you need to return the love and support you have been given. We are all in this together.”

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.

Currently, The Common Kitchen is closed to the public but Trifecto Bar and Anh-mazing Bahn Mi are open daily for curbside pickup and delivery. In addition, Koshary-by-Misteka, Tasty Empanadas, and Scoop & Paddle Ice Cream are taking online orders for pick up on Fridays and Saturdays. For details visit https://thecommonkitchen.com/ or contact General Manger Elias Castillo, 410.300.6251

elias@thecommonkitchen.com