Almond Commends Businesses for Recruiting Others to Pikesville

Businesses are keeping Pikesville vital during tough economic times by recruiting other businesses, Councilwoman Vicki Almond said Tuesday during the Pikeville Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Linwoods.

"People who are established in the area are helping others come into the area, and that's what we need," she said. The health of the communities along Reisterstown Road, including Pikesville, is "inarguably linked to the successes and failures of the businesses along Reisterstown Road."

Although there are still empty storefronts in Pikesville, the fact that the community is bringing in new business is positive, she said.

She noted some recent recruitment successes, including , which have made plans to open stores at , 1809 Reisterstown Road.

And soon Walgreens will occupy its newly renovated building at the corner of Old Court and Reisterstown roads. That new building will bring a fresh look to downtown's most visible intersection, Almond said.

Healthway Pharmacy will soon occupy its new building at Reisterstown Road and East Sudbrook Lane, and other businesses have moved into Pikesville as well.

She urged members of the chamber to continue "being creative and leverage public/private partnerships."

For example, the county will continue to provide amenities, such as Pikesville's excellent public schools, to help attract more businesses, she said.

She also urged volunteerism.

"I attend school events and PTA functions ... volunteering whenever I can," she said.

After Almond's talk, Dan Flamholz of Klein Enterprises said his company, which owns the Commercentre in Pikesville, is also investing in the community.

About three weeks ago, it began $2.5 million in renovations, including replacing the roof, landscaping, replanting, and replacing HVAC units.

Recently, MECU held a ribbon cutting for its newest branch, also in the Commercentre.

Also during the breakfast, the chamber announced its 2012 Board of Directors:

• Steven Cohen, president
• Marcy Gorman, vice president
• Karen Sugar, secretary
• Michael Roth, treasurer
• David Elkes, immediate past president.

Members of the board are:

• Steven Abrams
• Nick Attias
• Todd Brown
• Kristen Cooper
• Brian Goldman
• Daniel Flamholz
• Marc J. Hertzberg
• Judy Finifter
• Richard A. Intner
• Adele Kass
• Alice Kolman
• Mark Komins
• Richard Krieger
• Ryan Lenet
• Ellensue Levinson-Jeffers
• Carla Luna
• Aaron Max
• Edmund L. Mitzel
• Nick Mangione, Jr.
• Mark E. Pressman
• Arthur W. Putzel
• Brian Sacks
• Jonathan Schwartz
• Matthew Schoenfeld
• Edward Steinberg
• Debra Tyrangiel