This is a picture of the Sparks Filling Station at 14910 York Rd Sparks MD, 21152
Whether you are hiking or biking along the Gunpowder river, commuting down York road, or just need a break from the office, stop in and see all the unique menu items. Try out Rosa’s breakfast burrito, fresh baked pastries, or organic free trade coffee served by our friendly baristas.
The other day I was working at the coffee shop on Falls Road when a young man entered for the first time. He really liked the store and asked me how I got into the coffee business. I didn’t hesitate to hold responsible my business partner, Meg. That is when I realized we have been in business for over 7 years at our Falls Rd location, and 2+ years at the Sparks Station Coffee Shop on York Road. Wow. It has been an amazing journey for us. We have met so many wonderful people in the community. There is a real sense of community for us since opening our coffee shops. To think we would have missed out on these blessings and life lessons.
There is nothing better than starting your day with a cup of coffee. Whether you are a regular coffee drinker or specialty coffee drinker, we all have a great appreciation of that first sip touching our lips in the morning. There are two things in life that I will not give up, and one of them is coffee. For years I struggled with this decision because “they” told us coffee was bad for your health. Today, I think there is enough evidence out there to prove the benefits outweigh the harmful effects. It is important to know the source of your beans. Are they coming from an organic, shade-grown & bird friendly environment? This will definitely increase the “healthy” factor of the bean. Clearly there is much more to coffee than caffeine, that is why at The Filling Station we take great pride in providing the highest quality organic coffee bean. It all starts with the bean. Coffee contains numerous phytochemicals, minerals and powerful anti oxidants that actually may be enhanced by the roasting process. With few exceptions, the health effects persist whether or not caffeine is present. Many studies have shown that coffee has significant health benefits, particularly in the prevention of diabetes. Coffee has also been show to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer, cirrhosis and gallstones. That is enough evidence for me, so I will keep drinking my beloved cup of heaven. Remember, too much of anything is a bad thing.
On a recent trip to Seattle, I made a surprising observation. In Seattle, people drink espresso throughout the day. It may be to overcome the grey sky, the rainy days or perhaps it has just become a way of life. Let’s be honest, it is the birthplace of Starbucks and Tully’s coffee. In fact, there is still a coffee shop on every block here, not to mention the kiosks in every parking lot serving drive thru espresso drinks.
To the contrary, in Maryland, I’ve noticed that the Filling Station coffee shop is busy in the morning and on sunny days. We don’t seem to have the same motivation to drink espresso all day long. You would think that on a grey, rainy day inMaryland, people would seek a little more caffeine. So what is the difference between east and west coast espresso drinkers? You tell me. Is my theory correct? Is it the grayness of Seattle that drives people to self medicate with espresso?
Come check out our haunted coffee shops. We have decided to be festive for the Halloween Holiday! Come have a latte and get in the fall spirit. May I suggest another thing to do to get in the spirit?? My friends and I went to the grave site of the great Edgar Allen Poe on a blustery Fall night. Poe is buried in Westminster Hall, one of Baltimore’s most intriguing architectural landmarks. It is a converted gothic church built on arches above Westminster Burying ground, creating catacombs. Edgar Allan Poe and his young wife found their final resting place within Westminster Burying Ground, as did several early mayors of Baltimore, heroes of the American Revolution and members of the city’s elite.
On this Blustery night we enjoyed the spooky sights and sounds of the wind, leaves blowing and the grave sites dating back to the 1700’s. A note to all however, they do not post the times they lock the gates. We were there about 9:00 and were padlocked inside the iron spired 8 foot tall gates. Everyone made it over safely..I was the last to go over the fence, i just knew i was going to be the horror movie victim that would be eaten by werewolves. For more information vistit http://www.eapoe.org/balt/poegrave.htm
On Sunday October 19th Race for the Cure will be held in Hunt Valley, Maryland.
The Race Village opens at 6:00 AM
5K Timed Competitive Run starts at 8:00 AM
5K Recreational Run starts at 8:15 AM
5K / 1 Mile Family Fun Walk starts at 8:45 AM
11350 McCormick Rd, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Notice to Filling Station Customers Road Closures: You can still get to us, but will need to be creative!
Shawan Road will be closed East of I-83. York Road will be closed from Shawan Road to McCormick Road from 6:00a.m. to 10 a.m.
The race begins at 8 a.m., but roads may be closed as early as 6 a.m.
No traffic will be allowed on Shawan Road between McCormick and York roads after 6 a.m. Other road closures are McCormick Rd. at International Circle, Beaver Dam Road at Ivy Hill Road, Beaver Dam Road at Cockeysville Road and York Road between Ashland Road and McCormick Road.
General detour routes near the race area will be: York Road, heading south, turn onto Phoenix Road, drive to Paper Mill Road, then head west to York Road and turn left; heading north on York Road, turn east onto Ashland Road, which becomes Paper Mill Road, turn onto Phoenix Road and then north to York Rd. Traffic on Beaver Dam Road, heading north, will be directed east onto Cockeysville Road to York Road. Come on by for Coffee and Breakfast after the Race for the Cure.
Every four years per the Baltimore County code, the County Council reviews and revises the Count’s zoning maps via the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process (CZMP).
At the Sparks Station Coffee Shop we have been working for over a year on changing the zoning at the Sparks Station Coffee Shop. It seems that our location pre-dated current zoning regulations and it was important to us as a small business that we establish a current zoning designation.
The process began in August 2007. We originally request a Business Local zoning with the Commercial Rural overlay (BL-CR). We worked closely with the local community to make certain we listened to their concerns. As long-time residents of Sparks ourselves, we too want to preserve rural lands, protect natural resources, and prevent over-development. What we heard is that it was important to the community future businesses operating at our site fit in with our rural environment. We believe we have accomplished that goal.
The CZMP final decisions were made on August 26, 2008. The Councilman has re-zoned our property to Community Business zoning with a Commercial Rural overlay (CB-CR). This was the same recommendation given by the Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council (SGCPC) and the Planning Board. In general, CB-CR zoning means that retail stores, service establishments, and restaurants (except fast food and taverns) are now permitted to operate in this location.
We personally would like to thank the members of the (SGCPC) for their support and guidance on a solution. More importantly, we would like to thank the residents, our customers for supporting us everyday. Here is a link to all the Baltimore County decisions and a comprehensive explanation of zoning terms: .
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/countycouncil/czmp2008.html
- When: October 4
- Event Phone Number: 410-833-8848 ext. 217
- http://www.dogfest2008.org/
- Shawan Downs is located just behind The Filling Station on Falls Road
- 1401 Shawan Road
- Hunt Valley, MD 21030
- 410-666-3676
The first annual Dogfest combines the Paws on Parade fundraising walk with the Bark in the Park canine games into one event. Dogfest 2008 is an all day festival featuring a 5K canine fun run, canine games, contests, an agility course, a pet costume contest, demonstrations and educational seminars. Bring your dog and have some fun. Come to The Filling Station before and grab a pastry, coffee or our delicious Lattes.
Shawan Downs is this coming Saturday, September 27th. For those of you that have not been before, this is the 8th running of the Legacy Chase– a steeplechase located not too far from our Falls Road location in Maryland’s horse country.
We have tickets for sale and you can pick them up here before heading over to the race.
Some Details:
- Gates Open: 10:00 AM
- Opening Ceremonies: 12:00 Noon
- First Race: 1:00 PM
See you at the race.
Over the last several months, the Filling Station team has been hard at work developing a Web site. While you might expect it to be about our coffee and baked goods (and to some extent it will), we actually plan to spend a good amount of time focused on the surrounding community, and the people and events that make northern Baltimore County a unique place to live and work.
We have a few features in the works that we hope you’ll enjoy, and over the next couple weeks we will roll them out. Please have a browse and let us know what you think.
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