Meet the Owners
Learn all about the face behind the business as you Shop Independent this Independence Day!
Owning a small business is a labor of love, and we love our small business owners! We asked the businesses of Downtown Frederick to share a short story of why they decided to start their business, what they love about owning a business in Frederick, or just something entertaining about themselves… With more than 250 independent retailers in Downtown Frederick, this is just a small snapshot of some of the familiar faces you’ll see about town. Go out and explore, discover a new shop you’ve never been to, and don’t forget to say hello to the owner! To find a list of all businesses that are currently open, visit downtownfrederick.org/covid-19.
The text shown below each photo is just an excerpt, so don’t forget to click on the picture to read their full story!
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Drennan and Catie Hicks • The Trail House
Catie and Drennan Hicks are the new owners of The Trail House as of early March. For over 35 years, Drennan’s parents Gerry and Clyde Hicks have been the owners of The Trail House but are transitioning over the business so they can retire. Catie and Drennan both had corporate jobs in the Washington, DC […]
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Braeden Bumpers and Tyler Hegamyer • McClintock Distilling
With almost two decades of combined experience in the alcohol production industry, Braeden and Tyler live and breathe (and drink) spirits. The two longtime friends came back home to Frederick to open up McClintock Distilling in 2015 to bring back the heritage and history of distilling in Maryland. They love sharing their spirits with the […]
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Marlene and Tom England • Curious Iguana
Marlene and Tom England opened Curious Iguana, an independent bookstore and benefit corporation, in 2013—just around the corner from their first store, Dancing Bear Toys. Although they rarely read the same book, they agree that these two non-fiction titles are must-reads: “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi and “The […]
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Sue Leveille • Give Rise Studio
Saying Give Rise Studio is my dream is an understatement. Along with the community, we can create positive change by slowing down and tapping into our own ability to heal, thrive and express ourselves. I’m providing a venue for workshops, classes, opportunities, events and rentals to support creativity, health and joy. These events are hosted […]
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Monica Pearce • Tenth Ward Distilling Company
Monica Pearce started her career off in the environmental science field getting her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. She spent a year after college living and working in the Galapagos Islands (fun fact!) doing conservation work and then remained in the conservation biology field when she […]
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Paul Thompson • Ec’clectibles
I “gained my independence” when the national retailer I worked for sold to a company based in California. It had been a wonderful experience, doing the visual merchandising for a 100 store chain, helping to design the new stores and open them, choosing product and helping to set up an additional 100 temporary stores each […]
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Maren Good • The Center • Sound • Mind • Body
The mother-daughter team of Maren and Mari Good are excited to officially open the doors to The Center next week. With decades of experience in our respective fields, look for our upcoming offerings: gong meditations, Acutonics Sound therapy sessions (tuning forks and other sound tools), yoga, Pilates and Corealign sessions, as well as aromatherapy classes […]
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Chris Sparks • Surelocked In Escape Games
Once upon a time, there was a family that moved to a tiny town called Ijamsville, MD. We Sparks are happy to call Frederick home and excited to be operate “the family business” in our hometown! Surelocked In Escape Games was born on a family vacation in the summer of 2015 when, while looking for […]
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Jones, Kaufman, Kirvan, Schaefer, Schofield, Snyder and Yost • Gallery 322
Gallery 322 is a partnership of 7 artists, with 3 associates. Our contemporary representational art reflects threads from art history, and spans a range of styles and materials and includes paintings, drawings, sculpture and assemblages. This photo, celebrating our 10th anniversary in our beautiful N. Market location, was taken last September. For more information, see […]
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Staci and Bill McLauchlan • DISTRICT Arts
While living on a boat for 12 years, we participated in several hundred outdoor art festivals around the country, including the Frederick Festival of the Arts. After getting weary of setting up and tearing down a tent 25 weekends a year, we decided to sell the boat, move ashore and open a contemporary art gallery. […]
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Jordan Lewis • JKW Beauty
I started JKW Beauty on a mission to help women see the beauty in themselves and their unique features. I have loved being creative and making people feel good from a little girl. I feel super grateful, even during these times, to create beauty and positive art to put into the world. We need to […]
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Alice Orzechowski • Caprikorn Farms
Alice has been the proud owner of Caprikorn Farms for over 30 years. In that time, Caprikorn Farms’ superior goat’s milk has allowed for the production of high quality goat milk cheeses and goat milk soaps. Find our extensive line of goat soaps at www.theoldcolony.com and our delicious goat cheeses at www.kidslovegoatmilk.com. Learn more about […]
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Marien Hornyak • The Kitchenette
I am not a professionally-trained chef, but I have always enjoyed cooking and baking. When my grant-funded position at an area high school was eliminated, it was time to turn that love of cooking and baking into a business. On September 1st, 2016, The Kitchenette opened its doors for the first time, offering downtown residents […]
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Anne Warnock, Mark Gagnon, Django Voris • Big Lush Plants & Flowers
Big Lush Plants & Flowers is a group effort started by three friends, a merchant, a plantsman and an artist who met in NYC and relocated to Frederick, MD. Our shop is a labor of love and the stars of the show are the plants and flowers, and along with our unique objects we bring […]
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Tom and Marlene England • Dancing Bear Toys
Tom and Marlene England took their first retail plunge in 2000 with the opening of Dancing Bear Toys. Although the store’s year-long 20th anniversary celebration isn’t turning out exactly as planned (thanks, COVID), Tom and Marlene are still having fun. Their favorite games to play when not working? Pit, Rack-o, Mystic Market, and Tenzi! Learn […]
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Michelle Schaffer • North Market Pop Shop
Coming from a background of science and research, I like to experiment with flavors and create fun experiences for our guests at the Pop Shop. The Pop Shop Freddy is one such creation of bringing together two great things about Frederick which makes a tasty treat for those who come the visit! Learn more about […]
More First Saturday info…
February First Saturday Dining Guide
Downtown Frederick is full of amazing dining options, so you’ll never have to go far to find a great meal! For a complete list of downtown eateries, click here. To help narrow down your choices during February First Saturday (Fire in Ice), we’ve broken out a few popular dining categories for the restaurants listed below. Scroll through to see the full list… and happy eating!
26. Jan 2024