Rethink College Park

Here’s the latest roundup from the Business Beat newsletter, published every two months by the City of College Park

General Announcements:

City Receives $75,000 for Launch of Commercial Tenant Improvement Program

In November, the City of College Park was awarded $75,000 by the State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development for the formation of a Commercial Tenant Improvement Program. The program will provide new small businesses with a matching grant for the costs associated with leasehold improvements (HVAC, mechanical, electrical, windows, etc.). A maximum of $25,000 per grant is available to qualifying businesses, which will undergo a review of their business plan and financial capabilities. Any interested businesses, property owners, or brokers should contact the College Park Economic Development office for more information.  More details about the improvement program were provided in this article by the North College Park Informant.

Relaunch of Shop College Park Website

Launched in July 2008, the Shop College Park website provides an online presence for all of the City’s retail businesses. To improve the site’s functionality, the City authorized a redesign that is expected to launch in January 2013. Improvements include a new visual design, a mobile version, an improved search function, and a blog.

December 2012 Business Activity

Now Open:

- Ivy Noodles (Rt. 1 & Hartwick Rd, Terrapin Station)
Locally-owned restaurant now open in the Terrapin Station shopping center in Downtown College Park. The authentic noodle house serves a variety of dishes, including seven different types of noodles, with all dishes priced under $9.

Business Closings:

- Boston Market (Rt. 1 & Knox Rd, College Park Shopping Center)

- Robeks (Rt. 1, north of 495 interchange, close to IKEA)

Coming Attractions:

Downtown:

- Ovo Asian
Expected to open late 2012 in Terrapin Station.

- Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill
Expected to open early 2013, former location of Boston Market in the College Park Shopping Center.  Chain restaurant, started in the Denver area in 2007. From their inception, the company’s goal has been to focus on fresh, healthy, quality foods using original, unique recipes.

- Unnamed Italian Restaurant (to be named later)
Going into Terrapin Station, expected to open spring 2013.

- Terrapin Turf
Going into the former Santa Fe Café space on Knox Road, now expected to open Spring 2013.  The oft-delayed opening was discussed in this Diamondback editorial.

Lower Midtown:

- Memphis Barbecue:
Going into the former location of Austin Grill Express.  With its original location in Crystal City, Memphis Barbeque plans to open a second location on the ground floor of The Varsity apartments in spring 2013.  Meats will be smoked over a live hickory wood-burning fire and menu items include ribs, brisket, chicken, and seafood.

- Newaabsaab Kabobs:
Mediterranean restaurant, now expected to open spring 2013. Sharing the same location as Rita’s Italian Ice (8900 Baltimore Ave)

- Denny’s
Expected to open summer 2013, located on Rt. 1 in former Varsity Grille building.  Covered by Patch.

Berwyn:

- Independent Coffee Shop (to be named later):
Expected to open summer 2013.  Located on Berwyn Rd, next door to Fishnet. To be operated by Fishnet owner.  Covered by Patch.

Hollywood:

- Johnny’s:
Chinese restaurant is now expected to open early 2013, in the Hollywood Shopping Center (by MOM’s & REI).

- Pollo a La Brasa:
Peruvian restaurant is now expected to open spring 2013, going into Hollywood Square (9925 Rhode Island Ave).