Meadows Frozen Custard agreed to pay higher rent to stay at the Hickory Ridge Village Center. Kimco said no anyway. Here's the business logic behind the decision and why it’s still the wrong call
(Own views) The article is correct that there is no governing body that can control what Kimco does with its own property outside of county zoning, but the Hickory Ridge Community Association (HRCA) does have strong influence over the Hickory Ridge Village Center. It was Kimco that came to HRCA just last year for help in getting approval for its new awnings. Howard Hughes has architectural control over the village center, and HRCA sent a letter to Howard Hughes in support of Kimco’s proposed awnings, which were then approved. HRCA did this while also asking Kimco to fix a specific list of overdue maintenance items at the village center. Kimco fixed all of the items including the new fountain, but Kimco did not just fix those things on its own - we asked them to.
Potentially in the case of Meadows, HRCA could write a letter in support of Meadows, which could influence Kimco enough to reverse its decision, so I encourage folks to get involved with the community association. Come to a resident speak out. Ask the board to get involved. Finally, our village manager does a fantastic job in general, and she has a deep list of contacts from Kimco to Howard County Gov. This is one of the best benefits of living in Hickory Ridge. Don’t forget to leverage it to advocate for the community’s interests.
Good point, Mike! A letter from the HRCA to Kimco could potentially be helpful. Certainly couldn’t hurt. And as you noted, there is some leverage there.
As usual I agree 100% on what a loss of this is for hickory ridge. I have enjoyed the new restaurants over there just a few days ago I went to Meadows to sit outside on the benches and eat my ice cream... A very pleasant place. No it's miles to go in search of soft serve.... How about a bunch of us customers promise to buy one cone a month during the winter as well!
If you live in Oakland Mills you might not be so empathetic with the plight of Hickory Ridge. Our village center has been a real neglected mess for years. Why? it just was not a desirable location Kimco didn’t want it
Luckily for us the OM center is now a vibrant multicultural center. No fancy restaurants no beautiful Kimco landscaping but with local tenants that are responsive to the needs of the community
New to the area but frequent Meadows often. The owner shared with me, right before closing for the season last fall, that foot traffic had disappeared and she was heavily considering relocating.
Perhaps this works out for them in the long run.
I also feel bad for her daughter who spent so much time on the mural!
having lived in Kings Contrivance since 1985, it must be said that the dining and commercial choices are very middling and unexceptional for a county/community of our size. Indeed, I have visited communities with a fraction of our population, let alone affluence, and we pale in comparison on many levels. Perhaps the major fault with Kimco is a lack of ingenuity and a bias towards the bland. Even a trip to Frederick, Md. is a vivid contrast......
Excellent and superior analysis. Commercial real estate is bottom line centered and "loyalty" is out of date. The last thing we need is governmental involvement in selecting and subsidizing commercial tenants, as they do with residential realty. I am not a KIMCO fan but I respect their rights to make decisions based on their profit forecasts. Was it better on Ye Olde Main Street USA in Anytown, USA? Not at all. Market demands being what they are, lets hoping some investors will establish some Bel Air, Md. Article Circle type businesses locally ASAP. We need more places like that.....
(Own views) The article is correct that there is no governing body that can control what Kimco does with its own property outside of county zoning, but the Hickory Ridge Community Association (HRCA) does have strong influence over the Hickory Ridge Village Center. It was Kimco that came to HRCA just last year for help in getting approval for its new awnings. Howard Hughes has architectural control over the village center, and HRCA sent a letter to Howard Hughes in support of Kimco’s proposed awnings, which were then approved. HRCA did this while also asking Kimco to fix a specific list of overdue maintenance items at the village center. Kimco fixed all of the items including the new fountain, but Kimco did not just fix those things on its own - we asked them to.
Potentially in the case of Meadows, HRCA could write a letter in support of Meadows, which could influence Kimco enough to reverse its decision, so I encourage folks to get involved with the community association. Come to a resident speak out. Ask the board to get involved. Finally, our village manager does a fantastic job in general, and she has a deep list of contacts from Kimco to Howard County Gov. This is one of the best benefits of living in Hickory Ridge. Don’t forget to leverage it to advocate for the community’s interests.
Good point, Mike! A letter from the HRCA to Kimco could potentially be helpful. Certainly couldn’t hurt. And as you noted, there is some leverage there.
When they were open in the winter, we used to buy ice cream pies for family get-togethers!
As usual I agree 100% on what a loss of this is for hickory ridge. I have enjoyed the new restaurants over there just a few days ago I went to Meadows to sit outside on the benches and eat my ice cream... A very pleasant place. No it's miles to go in search of soft serve.... How about a bunch of us customers promise to buy one cone a month during the winter as well!
If you live in Oakland Mills you might not be so empathetic with the plight of Hickory Ridge. Our village center has been a real neglected mess for years. Why? it just was not a desirable location Kimco didn’t want it
Luckily for us the OM center is now a vibrant multicultural center. No fancy restaurants no beautiful Kimco landscaping but with local tenants that are responsive to the needs of the community
Phil Engelke
New to the area but frequent Meadows often. The owner shared with me, right before closing for the season last fall, that foot traffic had disappeared and she was heavily considering relocating.
Perhaps this works out for them in the long run.
I also feel bad for her daughter who spent so much time on the mural!
Holy cow it happened. The news reports Meadows won't shut down. Thanks for starting the ball rolling Jeremy!
having lived in Kings Contrivance since 1985, it must be said that the dining and commercial choices are very middling and unexceptional for a county/community of our size. Indeed, I have visited communities with a fraction of our population, let alone affluence, and we pale in comparison on many levels. Perhaps the major fault with Kimco is a lack of ingenuity and a bias towards the bland. Even a trip to Frederick, Md. is a vivid contrast......
Excellent and superior analysis. Commercial real estate is bottom line centered and "loyalty" is out of date. The last thing we need is governmental involvement in selecting and subsidizing commercial tenants, as they do with residential realty. I am not a KIMCO fan but I respect their rights to make decisions based on their profit forecasts. Was it better on Ye Olde Main Street USA in Anytown, USA? Not at all. Market demands being what they are, lets hoping some investors will establish some Bel Air, Md. Article Circle type businesses locally ASAP. We need more places like that.....