Historic Caplan's Building To Reopen As Year-Round Marketplace For Local Entrepreneurs

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — The historic Caplan's building in Old Ellicott City will reopen Saturday as The Market at Caplan's, leaders announced Thursday.

Located at 8125 Main Street, The Market at Caplan’s is a local goods incubator and marketplace, designed to strengthen local supply chains, support makers and bring new opportunities to small, Howard County-based businesses who may not have a physical storefront, leaders said.

"The Market at Caplan’s serves as an innovative pilot for sustainable Main Street revitalization, connecting local growers, artisans and small-scale manufacturers directly with residents and visitors while testing new models for community-based retail," Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced. "When we took on bringing the iconic Caplan’s building back to life, we sought to create a resilient community hub that could serve both our public and local entrepreneurs and small businesses. A key component of the broader effort of my Ellicott City Safe and Sound plan, the efforts we have made to protect Caplan’s, both inside and out, are sure to continue to preserve the building's historical character for generations to come."

The Market at Caplan’s will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., mirroring standard operating hours for many of Main Street’s businesses. It will be overseen by the Howard County Economic Development Authority.

The building will feature products from small businesses and local entrepreneurs who are looking to bring their retail items to market and do not currently have a brick-and-mortar storefront presence. HCEDA will provide additional support to participating entrepreneurs and businesses, including marketing assistance and business education. The Market at Caplan’s will support the growth and development of small retailers who contribute to Howard County’s economy, leaders stated.

Following its soft launch this fall, The Market at Caplan’s will continue to develop into a year-round marketplace that highlights local manufacturing and sustainable retail innovation.

"The revitalization of the historic Caplan’s building is proof of what’s possible when we invest in the heart of our historic communities. We are proud to help bring this iconic building back to life as a launchpad for local entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Market at Caplan's will preserve Ellicott City’s heritage, create economic opportunity and spark new innovation for generations to come," said Jake Day, secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Caplan's was acquired by the county government as part of a group of 10 buildings on Lower Main Street that were damaged by the floods in 2011, 2016 and 2018. Four of the 10 buildings were deconstructed in early 2024 to remove constrictions above the stream channel. Caplan's and the others are being preserved and renovated for use.

As part of that process, the rear section of Caplan’s was removed since it had become structurally compromised by the 2018 flood. To accommodate its removal, the structure of the building was supplemented with a structural steel frame and cast in place concrete foundation, both to strengthen the existing building and support the new resilient facade that was designed to withstand the effects of flood waters, leaders explained.

The county aimed to restore the building’s facade to be “as close as possible” to its original condition. These floodproofing measures help ensure that Caplan’s remains resilient through future storms, serving as a model for preservation throughout Old Ellicott City.

This included focusing on character-defining elements, including:

• Researching and selecting a storefront window system that capable of withstanding flood waters while maintaining the aesthetics of large span glazing.
• Reconstructing the transom windows through restoration of salvaged windows and fabricating new wood windows to match historic detailing.
• Salvaging original copper trim/fascia components and fabricating replacement components to match original.
• Reconstructing the terrazzo entryway, replicating the inlay detail and “Caplan’s” name plaque.
• Cleaning and replacing missing limestone on the façade using salvaged limestone from the former 8059 Main Street.
• Installing a new marble base below the storefront system to match original as closely as possible.
• Replacing the arched entryway ceiling with plaster.
• Restoring the original chandelier, power to the previously restored sign, and the original hardwood flooring on the second floor.

Flood prevention measures taken with the Caplan's building included:

• Wet floodproofing the building by incorporating flood vents in its perimeter walls and front doors that allow water to pass into the building in a flood event, equilibrizing the loads on the structure. Once the mitigation projects are complete, these flood vents can be removed and infilled as the building’s new facade is designed to withstand the anticipated lower water depths and velocities, allowing the building to operate as a dry floodproofed structure.
• Flood windows sourced from Fenex, a manufacturer of specialty window systems. The windows were installed by Guthrie Glass and Glazing, an experienced installer from New Jersey who has extensive experience in flood and hurricane window installations. The first phase of the project was funded through a County Facilities Systemic Capital Project at a cost of $500,000.