Ellicott City, Maryland

     Hello there, my name is Brandi Cockerham and I would like to take a moment to thank Tom for allowing me to write this guest post for him. Although I am not a Maryland native like Tom, I am a blogger and I have spent a lot of time in the Old Line State over the past three years. My boyfriend and his family live in a suburb of Baltimore so I have gone to visit him multiple times since we began dating in 2010. This past summer I actually lived with him because I had an internship at the National Aquarium (which Tom will hopefully be blogging about later). I have grown quite fond of Maryland over the years and hope to move there following graduation. 

     One of my absolute favorite places to go while in Maryland is Ellicott City. This tiny, historic town within Howard County is full of life year round and has something to offer for everyone. Free parking is something everyone loves, but I am not nearly as excited by a toy store as I am by a vintage clothing store. Lucky for me, Ellicott City had both. Each time (I’ve been about four times) I venture to Ellicott City I have been the only female in the group. Usually I go with my boyfriend and his brother and they have two stores that we have to go in each time we are in town. The All Time Toy Store and I Love Theatre are their favorite shops. The All Time Toy Store has a huge selection of collectible toys, video games, game systems, Legos, and action figures. The I Love Theatre store obviously has theatre memorabilia, but the store also sells tons of sports souvenirs and has a huge collection of National Bohemian (locally made beer) products. 

An original NES from All Time Store

A Natty Boh Shirt from I Love Theatre

 

     I honestly feel that my boyfriend and his brother keep these stores in business. Every time we are in Ellicott City they are buying some kind of game or game system from All Time Toy Store and stocking up on t-shirts at I Love Theatre. 

     On the other hand, I would rather spend time looking at the antique stores and vintage clothing stores. My favorite store in Ellicott City is a tiny vintage boutique called A Journey from Junk.  The store is jam packed with clothes, boots, home décor, hand-made jewelry and soaps, accessories, and even some furniture. One of my most memorable purchases at A Journey from Junk was when I bought a spoon ring there this past November. I had been searching for the perfect spoon ring since the summer and of course, I found the most beautiful one at A Journey from Junk! 

My spoon ring from A Journey from Junk

Go find them on Facebook to see some pics of what they sell.

     No matter if you are older or younger, male or female, interested in sports or theatre- there is something for everyone in Ellicott City. Prepare to spend the whole day there though, there is so much to see and do!