Police: Man Stabbed on Main Street

Police say there was an altercation near a street vendor in the early morning hours.

  A man with a group of friends walking down Main Street was stabbed through his right forearm in an altercation that began with an exchange of insults, according to police.  The incident occurred April 21. Patch obtained details from court documents Wednesday. Justin Michael McCabe, 28, of Oella Avenue, was charged with first-degree assault and reckless endangerment in the stabbing of the man. The victim was walking along the 8000 block of Main Street near a hot dog cart with his friends around 1 a.m. on April 21 when a man began verbally harassing them, including using slurs against homosexuals, according to the police report. A shoving match ensued and McCabe pulled out a knife, according to charging documents. The victim jumped out of …

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Is Ellicott City Trashy?

Or is it visitors to town that are leaving their mark in the streets? And what can be done to keep downtown clean?

Last week was Earth Day and to commemorate the day, local merchants and residents hosted "Keep it Clean: Event to Clean, Beautify Historic Ellicott City."  While some people were on their hands and knees picking up trash and planting pocket parks in the Historic District, others were dropping their trash along Frederick Road, according to Denise Stanco. "Between Highs and the river I picked up 3 straws, 5 plastic lids, eight paper cups, and a bottle of Gatorade," she wrote in a blog post. "This is clearly an area where some participants were parked." But it's not just visitors, according to one user. "[Main Street just before Rogers Avenue] is looking pretty trashy thanks to one particular person who thinks she lives in Baltimore city and …

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Pure Wine Cafe Building Patio Overlooking Main Street

Patio will be part of an expansion effort that will double the restaurant’s size when finished in May.

  Pure Wine Café on Main Street is probably best known for its cozy quarters. The tight interior of the restaurant fits 32 seats at tables and its rectangular bar. But by mid-May the restaurant plans to open its new expansion—an upstairs dining room and an outdoor patio—that will add 40 new seats to the restaurant. “We’ve been ready to expand for a couple years now,” said P.J. Strain, the owner, who opened the restaurant, his first, along with his friend and chef Kevin Brothers in 2009. “They’re not going to be huge spaces, but we’ll utilize them well,” said Strain. The highlight of the expansion is the 20-seat patio, dubbed a “secret wine garden” by Strain, that when finished will be framed by landscaping and offer diners a raised view of…

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Saturday: Ellicott City Spring Celebration

The Historic District event features seven hours of food, drink and music.

The New General Store Deli: Open for Business

The New General Store an old tradition back to Main Street.

Randy Neely and Steve Archuleta said they were going to bring a deli back to Main Street, and they delivered. The deli has opened at Randy & Steve’s The New General Store, which opened in the space formerly occupied by Yates Market at 8249 Main Street. The deli features several specialty sandwiches with gourmet items like rosemary ham, truffle salt and habanero mango aioli. Of course, there's also pastrami, cheddar cheese and simple deli mustard. For a list of sandwich offerings, visit Randy & Steve's The New General Store online, or better yet, stop in for a bite.  For more local news, sign up for the Ellicott City Patch newsletter. Keep the conversation going on Facebook and Twitter.

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Help Wanted: Ellicott City Parking Enforcement Officer

Central parking is looking for someone to enforce the new rules in Ellicott City.

Are you familiar with Downtown Ellicott City? Like working outside?  Guess who's hiring. Central Parking System is looking for an enforcement officer - though the position is known by some other names to those who frequent the area. According to the ad, the right person for this job is OK working alone, understands the parking rules and regulations and can walk for long periods of time. The Historic District is fairly hilly, and there are four metered lots in the area as well as metered parking along Main Street. At a time when people have been saying some nasty things about the parking situation downtown, a parking enforcement officer must "exercise proper judgement, tact and diplomacy." And, perhaps, patience. Related: - Main Street …

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Keep it Clean: Event to Clean, Beautify Historic Ellicott City

Local businesses will also be adopting parks and green spaces next weekend.

Main Street is in for some spring cleaning, just in time for the Ellicott City Spring Celebration. A group of businesses and neighborhood associations are teaming up with the Howard County Recreation and Parks to clean up Main Street and other green spaces in the Historic District on April 20. People will start getting their hands dirty at 9 a.m., when volunteers will get to work picking up trash, mulching and planting greenery in pocket parks, according to a statement from the Ellicott City Restoration Foundation. At 10 a.m., some local businesses will officially “adopt” designated spaces, encouraging them, and the city, to upkeep and maintain the neighborhood.  The project is the kick-off for Adopt-A-Piece of History, which aims to bring…

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Coming Soon: Ellicott City Spring Celebration

This year's celebration features seven hours of food, drink and music.

Bands, beer and a moonbounce?  It must be time for Ellicott City's Spring Celebration.  This year’s event is on April 20. Hosted by the Ellicott City Business Association (ECBA) and local sponsors, it will feature live music – lots of live music – food, craft beer and family-friendly activities. More than 20 regional bands will be performing on three outdoor stages – including three previous winners of 98 Rock’s Noise in the Basement Band of the Month and three bands that were finalists in the 8 x 10 Club’s Bridging the Music Competition.  View a complete list of bands, and activities, online. “We're excited to showcase so much talent from Ellicott City and around Baltimore," ECBA Vice President Jeni Porter, said in a statement.  "With …

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Happy Birthday Sweet Elizabeth Jane

The Main Street, "vintage-inspired lifestyle store," is having a party. And a sale.

Sweet Elizabeth Jane is having a party. The store, at 8125 Main Street, is turning 2 and owner Tammy Beideman, though she said she hasn't slept much, is ready to celebrate. "I never thought that I was going to own a store," she said from a loft, looking down. "Let alone a store this big."   Downstairs, employees were getting to work setting up a makeshift photo booth and blowing up balloons for Friday night's party, which coincides with the first First Friday of spring. The store opened on spring's first First Friday in the space formerly occupied by Caplan's two years ago. But things were a little different then. "We were handwriting all of our tickets," Beideman said. "We had one of those old-timey registers," she said, pecking at an …

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First Friday in Ellicott City: Spring Edition

Shop, eat and drink in Downtown Ellicott City until 9 p.m.

Coming soon: the first First Friday of spring – an evening of live music, shopping, dining and deals in Downtown Ellicott City.  Throughout the Historic District, expect stores and restaurants to remain open until at least 9 p.m., offering specials discounts and sale items: Sweet Elizabeth Jane: Celebrating its second year on Main Street Friday, this home decor/accessory/clothing/all-around-kitchy shop will have live music, door prizes, a photo booth and free cake (!). Tersiguel's: Friday is Family Night at the Main Street French restaurant – it includes a three course, table wine and a trip to the kitchen. You provide the family. Reservations only – and they’re going fast. For more info, call 410-465-4004. Rumor Mill: Celebrate spring …

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