A proposed county parking lot and a restaurant/micro-brewery could give new life to Talbott Lumber Co., a 146-year historic Ellicott City landmark that closed three years ago.
Four investors from Maryland and Northern Virginia want to establish a 166-seat restaurant and bar with a micro-brewery in the former hardware store at 8308 Main St. And county officials say they are interested in building a free, 50-space parking lot at the rear of the 1-acre site.
"It's a great old building with 14-foot-high ceilings and nice hardwood floors," said Jay Hoover, a 35-year-old Arlington attorney.
By spring, the county hopes to buy 25,000 square feet of the site from owner Milton Mazer, who closed the store in 1991 to spend more time with his family.
"This is very preliminary," said Alan M. Ferragamo, assistant public works director. "The first step is to put together a contract."
The site has eight buildings, and the county is seeking approval from Ellicott City's Historic District Commission to raze four wooden sheds for the proposed parking lot.
County officials also want to build a road from Court Avenue, which would provide better access to the site, now approachable only from Main Street. The remaining four buildings would be used for commercial and retail purposes.
The Ellicott City Restoration Foundation, a 14-year-old nonprofit civic group, might contribute money to help the county buy the land and build the parking lot, Mr. Ferragamo said.
The restaurant would be in Talbott's two-story granite building on Main Street, which is now being used as a furniture warehouse by Taylor's Furniture. The first floor would feature a 50-seat restaurant, a 16-seat bar and 450-square-foot brewery that would be visible to patrons behind a glass panel. The second floor would provide seating for 100 people.
Mr. Hoover heads a group of investors that includes Greg Kopp, 30, a former construction inspector who lives in Arlington, Va.; Bernie Merritt, a 35-year-old marketing specialist who lives in Ellicott City; and Carl McWilliams, 35, a Laurel resident and the chief financial officer for a Beltsville interior design company.
Tentatively called, Ellicottt City Brewing Co., the micro-brewery would produce 1,000 barrels of beer annually, Mr. Hoover said. Eight to 10 varieties of beer would be available, including seasonal stouts, ales and lagers, he said.
To open the brew pub, the group needs a liquor license allowing sales to patrons, wholesalers and retailers.
By the end of the month, the partners hope to have raised as
much as $1 million for their project, including a $200,000 brewing system. The business could open as soon as next spring, Mr. Hoover said.
The group has signed a letter of intent to lease the 5,600-square-foot space for five years with an option to renew, Mr. Hoover said.