House of Time Open on Frederick Road, Renovations Nearly Complete

In less than a year, one of the oldest buildings in Catonsville has been transformed from a fading eyesore to a historic gem and a site for a thriving local business.

The is now home to the House of Time and Jewelry, a longtime Catonsville business that relocated from Baltimore National Pike to downtown Catonsville.

Catonsville residents Jim Himel and Greg and Julia Alexander purchased the building, which was built around 1830.

On Friday, officials held a ribbon cutting for the building. House of Time is open around the back of the building and owner Jon McCabe said it would be fully moved in within the month.

"Our sole business objective was to get rid of the ugly facade," said Himel, who has been extensively involved in the renovation project.

During the renovation process, contractors found old bottles, bones and other items from the past buried in the foundation of the building. One of the impressive things about the building, Himel said, is that the foundation was still solid.

"One-hundred and fifty years later, this thing is as solid as a rock," he said. "They knew how to build them."

The McCabe family, Jon and his mother Brenda, are part of the family that has been operating the business for 42 years. Jon's wife Tasha is also involved in the day-to-day operations.

The new space will also house a cigar shop and smoking lounge.

Sally Griffin, president of the and a realtor with across the street, said she is glad to have a new neighbor.

"We've watched it every step of the way and we've loved everything they've done," she said. "I think it's great business to have here and it's a great fit for Frederick Road."