 As much
of small-town America is falling victim to big box stores and endless
chain restaurants, Leonardtown is going its own way.
As early as 1654, Leonardtown was an important part of St. Mary's County
as the location of the county court. It was established as the county
seat in 1708 and remains in that post today.
Over the years, Leonardtown has seen everything from the ravages of war
when it was invaded by British troops during the War of 1812, to near
economic ruin when a bypass was constructed in 1990. Throughout it all,
the town served as the governmental hub of the county.
Leonardtown has been experiencing a sort of renaissance in the past
decade with new businesses, residential communities and a myriad of
community activities all calling the town home. This blending of old and
new is giving longtime residents a taste of days gone by, while
attracting new generations who want to experience a slower pace of life.
The town square serves as the epicenter of Leonardtown and is the place
to find many unique shops, businesses and dining options. It wasn't long
ago that Leonardtown was looking more like a ghost town than a tourist
destination, but with the help of local legislators, the Commissioners
of Leonardtown developed a plan to help revitalize the area and turn it
into the award-winning locale it is today.
Paradoxically, the bypass, which was instituted to help spare the town
from overwhelming traffic, was its downfall and eventually its saving
grace. Though the construction of the bypass caused the town to dwindle
from the early 1990s through 1996, it would later help to retain the
rural nature of Leonardtown. Without the high-speed traffic constantly
flowing through town, a more pedestrian-friendly atmosphere evolved.
Nearly every month of the year some sort of event is held along the town
square, often times completely shutting the town down from any traffic
in order to accommodate the huge influx of people. Earth Day
celebrations, concerts and the annual Christmas tree lighting are just
some of the fun-filled events found throughout the year.
The area businesses have embraced this new interest in the town and many
have enthusiastically helped to implement and organize many of the
festivities, unlike other downtown areas that cater solely to dining and
shopping. Leonardtown has managed to create a mix of businesses to serve
all its residents. You can still purchase a vehicle at Bell Motors,
which opened in 1923; visit the dentist at Towne Dentistry; or even have
a makeover at one of the area's quality salons.
If you're in the mood for mouth-watering French food prepared by native
French chef Loic Jaffres and his wife Karleen, just stop by Café des
Artistes. Or if Mexican food sounds more appealing, Cerro Grande or
Salsas both offer excellent authentic Mexican dining. Or if you want
something like Mom cooked, head to Linda's Café for a wonderful
home-cooked meal in a relaxed environment.
If fun, groovy and funky describe your personality, you'll definitely
want to try the Do Dah Deli. Originally located on the square in
Leonardtown, they took a brief hiatus but are back in a new location
with photo adorned walls, tie-dyed items for sale and their signature
sandwiches everyone yearned for while they were gone.
If you fancy a spot of tea, Leonard-town is home to several restaurants
that fit the bill. The Tea Room, located in the Maryland Antiques
Center, gives diners the opportunity to browse treasures, both old and
new, and then enjoy a hearty lunch or dinner. Tea N Scones serves lunch
and afternoon tea, as well as its latest addition of wines and wine
accessories. If green tea is what you seek, you'll want to head to Ogas
for a taste of the Orient.
Southern Maryland is blessed with an abundance of talented artists and
Leonardtown provides the perfect venue to showcase their work. The first
Friday of each month the town is alive with art during the "Gallery
Crawl." Participating galleries such as Leonardtown Galleria, E&M Art,
North End, Turning Leaf, Heron's Way and Lord Calvert Galleries allow
patrons to meet the individual artists and their artwork.
Floral artisans also abound in Leonardtown. David's Flowers, Towne
Florist, Kenny's Flowers and Jeanie's Flowers & Gifts, can all create
the perfect arrangement for any occasion.
As Leonardtown grows and evolves, so do the tastes of its residents.
Fine wines, gourmet foods and specialty shops are all being established
to meet those needs. Breton Bay Fine Wine and Spirits - located in the
McKay's Food Store - features a large selection to choose from, as well
as cigars. Marketplace Fine Wine and Spirits located in the Breton
Market Shopping Center, offers a variety of spirits, local and
international wines, as well as wine tastings. P.S It's All Good,
located in downtown Leonardtown, offers customers a vast array of wine
and spirits as well as specialty gifts and foods, including delicious
homemade breads, gourmet cheeses and decadent chocolates. For the
health-conscience consumer, visit The Good Earth Natural Foods Company
with its extensive selection of natural, organic and specialty foods,
including gluten and wheat-free products.
For those looking for a caffeine fix, Brewing Grounds Coffee and Tea can
provide you with a jolt of joe, a tasty sandwich and even Wi-Fi to keep
you hip, hyped and connected. Room with a Brew, now in its new location
across from Leonardtown High School, is more than just a coffee shop.
You can enjoy hot and cold drinks, an assortment of appetizing pastries,
all amidst an assortment of artwork, from purses to pottery. If shopping
isn't your thing, then stop by for one of the yoga or jazzercise classes
offered each week.
There is something for everyone in Leonardtown, including those enamored
with the written word or classic vinyl music. Take one step into Fenwick
Street Used Books and Music and you'll feel like a kid in a candy store.
Used books of every size and subject matter are interspersed among
classic records to make any audiophile swoon. For the nostalgic
fashionista, Colleen's Dream features vintage clothing, jewelry and
accessories for that one-of-a-kind outfit. Another specialty store,
Quality Street Kitchen and Catering, offers fine culinary products, fun
and interesting cooking classes, and catering. Crazy for Ewe will have
you creating wonderful garments with its luxury yarn goods, expert
advice and informative workshops.
For the young or just young at heart, Leonardtown has just what you need
to keep the little ones entertained. Enjoy story time at Leonardtown
Library, or pop in to The White Rabbit children's bookstore to peruse
the classics and latest titles. Side Track Hobbies is a toy store for
train enthusiasts and kids of all ages. If you have a need for speed,
One Stop Family Adventure Center, located off Fenwick Street, will get
your motor running with its large indoor fun center featuring electric
go-karts, moon bounce, arcade and birthday party packages.
With all the new growth and excitement in and around downtown
Leonard-town, the town has maintained its connection to the past.
Facades such as the one on the "Duke" Building still remind us of the
Leonardtown of old. A mural also depicts life in the bustling town
during the mid-1800s. The old jail, built in 1858, is now home to a
museum, and Tudor Hall, the oldest house in Leonardtown dating back to
the late 1700s, now houses the St. Mary's County Historical Society.
As Leonardtown continues to honor its past, it looks forward to a bright
future. The Leonardtown Wharf Project includes plans for shops, offices,
residences and a public access park to take advantage of the lovely
location overlooking Breton Bay. A three-acre site along McIntosh Run
known as the Port of Leonardtown will also become a public park and
winery. Currently, a kayak and canoe launch affords sports enthusiasts a
leisurely three-mile journey amidst local wildlife and striking scenery
and ends at the Leonardtown Wharf.
Leonard's Grant and Clark's Rest will provide more residential expansion
with a town-themed development plan in mind. A new elementary school and
more commercial space will also be included in the development.
Tudor Hall, a 390-acre tract of waterfront that abuts the downtown area,
will be developed jointly by public and private entities. It will
include an 18-hole golf course, 593 residential units, and eventually a
hotel and conference center. A waterfront promenade, marina and public
parks are also being considered for the site.
With so much going on in Leonard-town, it's no wonder so many people are
excited about the prospects for the future. The town is benefiting from
a wide variety of ideas and plans. J. Harry Norris, Leonardtown's mayor,
is looking forward to the future development of the town with the
primary goal being public access of the waterfront.
"I hope we can start utilizing our waterfront again and guarantee public
access to the water, so that future generations can enjoy all it has to
offer," Norris said.
The waterfront has always been a vital part of Leonardtown's wealth and
prosperity, so it seems fitting that any vision for its future would be
linked to its past.
For more information on businesses and events visit
http://leonardtown.somd.com/ |
