Monthly Archive for October, 2008

Seattle’s Best

Published
by
The Filling Station
on October 31, 2008
in news
. 5 Comments

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? 

Halloween Fun

Published
by
The Filling Station
on October 22, 2008
in events
. 0 Comments

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

Race for the Cure

Published
by
The Filling Station
on October 16, 2008
in Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

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.  

 

CZMP Decision 2008

Published
by
The Filling Station
on October 6, 2008
in news
. 0 Comments

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