Starbucks Coming to Middletown

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While perusing through my google reader, I came across a post by Tracy at Bargainchaser.com. - Starbucks Coming to Middletown

I think its a great idea since I am an avid coffee drinker. She mentioned the idea about competing with The Main Cup in downtown Middletown. Anytime an icon in the industry opens up a store, the little mom and pops feels a little pinch (sometimes a big pinch.) The only thing I think is going to hurt the main cup is the hours, but that has been hurting them for a while in my opinion. They have a great atmosphere, the food selection is quite diverse and now they have a bar in the back.

The mornings that I drive one of my children to school, I have to make left on Alt route 40. If you haven’t seen the morning and evening rush hour on Alt 40, it almost…almost rivals I-270. I can only imagine that most of those drivers either have a cup of coffee or would be looking for a cup of coffee prior to hitting the morning grind (no pun intended.) I know at this time of morning, the Main Cup is not open. They have made adjustments to their hours since they have opened back in the spring. Even if they did open that early, I am not sure the parking arrangements are conducive to meeting the demands of a morning commuter…in and out.

All in All, I believe the community will welcome Starbucks, but the Main Cup will do quite well. For just opening up this year, I think they are doing great. I am sure that Starbucks won’t impact their daily business…I just can’t see myself sitting down and enjoying a cup of coffee in the confines of Safeway. Atmosphere has a lot to do with an enjoyable cup of coffee. The true impact will be have to be measured next year.

Thanks Tracy for bring this to our attention.

The Main Cup
14 West Main Street, Middletown, MD 21769
(301) 371-4433
Monday thru Saturday 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Closed Sunday

November 18, 2007 · Filed Under Food

2 Comments 

Frederick Places to Watch a Steeler Game

Pittsburgh Steelers Bar

Over the years in my travels, I have found it’s not too hard to find a place to watch a Pittsburgh Steeler game along the east coast. It’s such a popular request that the Pittsburg Post Gazette has it’s own webpage. When the game isn’t on at home, I have found a few places in Frederick to watch a Steeler game; Krug’s and Beef O Bradys. I haven’t been back to Krug’s since last year. Talk about a Die-hard Steeler bar…can’t get any more Black-n-Gold than Krug’s in this town. Unfortunately, the smoke was a little overwhelming.

My family has been heading over to Beef O Bradys more often than not with a few friends. The owner, Erik Scheidhauer, is always there to welcome the football fans. The staff is pleasant and very attentive to all your needs. The food is always good. (I recommend the Cheeseburger Wrap and some Hot Wings…chased down with a nice cold adult beverage.) Erik has all the games playing around the bar and restaurant. You can always catch your favorite team.

Here’s a funny story he shared with us the beginning of the year. The first football game of the season last year, since it is “His” bar, he was ready to have the hi-def big screen in the main dining area fired up with the Washington Redskins game. To his demise, he was bombarded with request for the Steeler game. He was now in a catch 22…Play HIS team or the favorite of the rest of the mob??? It’s my bar and restaurant…come on guys?!!? Needless to say, the Steelers were playing on the big screen. Thanks Erik… We really appreciate the compromise. (Redskins are playing in the bar area on the projection screen.)

Today’s game had about 40 Steeler Fans (and one Cleveland Browns fan) cheering on a big victory over the Seatle Seahawks. As the word gets out…I am sure that number will grow.

Here’s quick tour of my Steeler Bar

Enjoy

On Edit: I found another diamond in the rough… I spent the afternoon at Hard Times Cafe’s in Frederick.  They showed the Steeler game on the big screen in the back (need to raise the light above that one pool table) and had it on a couple TVs in the main dining room.  It was a little smoky in the back but livable.  Love the Chili.  And it wasn’t crowded.

October 7, 2007 · Filed Under Food

6 Comments 

The Frederick Fair - List of events!!! (2007)

The first of the Vender TrailersLook, Look!!! Do You know what that means? The fair is coming, the fair is coming… I know I sound like a kid waiting for Christmas…I am!!! This is the first vendor trailer getting ready to pull into the Fair Grounds.

I love the Frederick Fair. Not the rides, not the cotton candy, not the cows, not the contest…but the FOOD. OK, if you haven’t noticed my petite figure, I like to eat. It’s one thing I have in common with everyone I know. Ya gotta eat sometime!!! The fair is only 9 days long…and I need to get my share of all the goodies until next year. Some of my favorites;

  1. Hemp’s Meats - Pit beef sandwiches are top notch!!! Then the pulled pork, then…ohh I can’t take it.
  2. Butterfly Potatoes - Like one continuous potato chip with cheese and ketchup (Heinz only)
  3. Gyros - This guy is from Bethel Park, PA and works it by himself all week. I don’t know how he does it, but keep on doing it!!!
  4. Sweet Potato Fries sprinkled with a little bit of cinnimon - Just added Favorite, Thanks Des!
  5. Funnel Cakes finishes off dinner if I can walk at this point.
  6. (saving this space for future Frederick Fair Foods)

I tracked down all of the events for this year from the The Great Frederick Fair.

  • GRAND STAND EVENTS
    • Sept 14th - Horse Pull - 7 PM - FREE
    • Sept 15th - Gretchen Wilson - 7:30 PM - $50
    • Sept 16th - Oak Ridge Boys - 7:30 PM - $35 & $40
    • Sept 17th - Tractor Pull - 6:30 PM - $20
    • Sept 18th - Demolition Derby - 7 PM - $20
    • Sept 19th - Gary Allan - 7:30 PM - $30 & $35
    • Sept 20th - Rockin Road House - 7:30 PM - $30 & $35
    • Sept 21st - Lonestar - 7:30 PM - $35 & $40
    • Sept 22nd - Joe Nichols - 7:30 PM - $30 & $35
  • SPECIAL NIGHTS
    • Sept 14th - Pay-One-Price Rides - 5PM to close
    • Sept 15th - Pay-One-Price Rides - 9AM to 5PM
    • Sept 18th - Pay-One-Price Rides - 2PM to close
    • Sept 19th - Carload Night Lot D - $45
    • Sept 20th - Pay-One-Price Rides - 2PM to close
    • Sept 22th - Pay-One-Price Rides - 9AM to 5PM

See you at the Fair!!! (I’ll be the one with the cheese on my shirt, and a smile on my face!)

September 6, 2007 · Filed Under Food, Fun

2 Comments 

Fractured Prune in Frederick MD

Fractured Prune of Frederick MDLet me tell you about place that is just sinfully delightful.  The Fractured Prune is a little donut shop over on East Patrick Street.  I want to thank a friend of mine, Marylou Fisher (a fellow REALTOR with Long & Foster) for telling me about this place.  Marylou couldn’t shut up about how good these donuts were.  She was right…mmmmmm.  They are fresh, hot and scrumptious!!!  You have a large selection of awesome combinations.  I really liked the Reese’s Cup© but the Chocolate Covered Cherry was pretty good too.  Visit their website for the menu of donuts. 

I think we found our new Sunday morning stop for donuts.   Now where did I put that South Beach diet book?

Take the virtual tour (without the pleasant smell)

  •  Location
    • East Gate Shopping Center
    • 1202 East Patrick Street Unit A1
    • Frederick MD 21701
    • 301-682-3668
  •  Hours:
    • Tues-Sat 6AM - 4PM
    • Sunday    7AM - 4PM
    • Monday  6AM - 2PM
    • Subject to change

September 3, 2007 · Filed Under Food, Fun

8 Comments 

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