AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On See Senior Home Care Services
It was impossible to miss the colorful 1st Anniversary sign on the sidewalk near the entrance to BD Provisions at 844 Ritchie Highway.
Fully a year after opening in April of 2023, it was reassuring to see the store’s co-owner Phil Peters standing by his 14-pound coffee roaster. He was about to roast 11 pounds of the store’s popular in-house blend, Midnight Joe – a combination of Columbian, Brazilian and Indian Monsoon beans.
BD Provision stores are noted for their on-site coffee roasting and coffee roasting is Peters’ specialty so he’s a perfect fit. He roasts every Saturday morning, creating marvelous blends from barrels of coffee beans from around the world. The store is always busy on those mornings as customers love the heavenly aroma of roasting coffee and can’t wait for their first cup.
In a celebratory mood, Peters expressed his delight that the store survived its first year and said he looks forward to many more. He noted that, when he and co-owner Debra Saltz opened Connecticut-based BD Provisions’ first out-of-state franchise last spring, they had a steep learning curve ahead of them. Saltz agreed.
“Phil and I are friends of the founders of BD Provisions and fans of their main store in Newton Connecticut, but we were novices at running such a business,” Saltz said. “Nevertheless, we felt we could succeed and were eager to learn,” said Saltz who handles all the ordering.
“Coming into this, I had no retail experience and had to pick up things on the fly. I first had to learn about all the products which ranged from grains and beans to spices, teas, coffees, oils and chocolates. The biggest challenge was tackling the ordering process on my own – figuring out how much of each bulk-buy product to stock and how best to package and present each item.”
The partners have grown used to running the business and have made surprisingly few mistakes in ordering products that weren’t good enough to put on the floor. They love the community and all the support they have received and the ever-growing number of regular customers who come in. They are proud of bringing good quality products to Severna Park.
Peters credits Saltz’s ambitious marketing plans and use of social media to expose their products for drawing and expanding the customer base. She’s also been creative in generating a buzz in the community by marketing special products and gift baskets for holidays. He touted the great response they’d had to their selection of Halloween candy and gift items and prepackaged chocolates, drink mixes and gifts for Christmas.
“But carrying Valentine’s Day candy when no one else in Severna Park was doing so was a brilliant idea,” he said.
Likewise, Easter candies and customized Easter cookies were hits with Severna Park children.
The partners are increasingly marketing their products at community events. Peters treated guests to coffee at the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber’s Holiday Taste and Sip event.
They’ll be serving coffee at the Good Neighbors Group’s Earth Day Festival at Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company on April 27th and will also appear at the Chamber’s upcoming Shop Local Fun Festival at Park Plaza on May 4th.
BD Provisions is forming wholesale partnerships with area restaurateurs and chefs and with other businesses that are eco-friendly and sustainable. They also host occasional classes, events and networking opportunities. They welcomed Benny’s Woodfired Pizza & Eats food truck to participate in their anniversary festivities. Peters marveled that chef/owner Ben Buglisi has a coal-fired oven inside the pizza truck.
According to Saltz, she has already placed orders for 4th of July candies, pretzels and other items in reds, whites and blues and is pleased to announce that BD Provisions has created a special gift-wrapping corner behind the main counter where manager Cornelia Wikar is helping a customer in the photograph below.
For directions or the latest information on BD Provisions, visit Severna Park Store — BD Provisions- zero waste bulk food store.
Ledo Pizza Severna Park ribbon-cutting postponed
Due to a delay in opening, Ledo Pizza Severna Park owner Martin Gorman announced that the Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting originally planned for today (April 11) has been rescheduled for April 23rd at 4 pm.
Savvy Seniors meeting at Woods Church on April 16 at 1 pm
On Tuesday, April 16 from 1 till 2:30 pm, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church Deacon Steve Hilbert and Continuity of Care Coordinator will lead an “across the kitchen table” discussion focused on lessons learned through personal experience with aging parents. The discussion will touch on legal matters, advancing chronic illnesses, transitioning from independent to assisted living and palliative-hospice care. For more information, visit Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church (woodschurch.org).
Langton Green 10th Anniversary Plant Sale, April 20
As part of its 10th Anniversary celebration, Langton Green Community Farm will host an Earth Day Plant Sale on Saturday, April 20 from 10 am till 2 pm. The event will be held rain or shine and there is free parking.
Located at 844 Generals Hwy in Millersville, the farm will be selling vegetables, herbs, flowers and fruit plants help get every garden growing and the farm grounds will be open for those who wish to take a walk, enjoy the animals or view the murals by Cindy Fletcher.
Proceeds from the sale will support Langton Green Community Farm’s operations. The Farm provides meaningful work opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as part of Langton Green, Inc.’s vocational programs. For more information see Home – Langton Green.
Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Fundraiser to be held at Historic Baldwin Hall on April 27th
The Severn Crossroads Foundation will be hosting its annual Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Fundraiser at Historic Baldwin Hall in Millersville on Saturday, April 27 from 7 till 10 pm. Wine, craft beer, soft drinks and water plus delicious cheeses, fruits, veggies, and chocolate will be served at the social and there will be a musical performance by Richard Walton. There will also be a silent auction, raffles and door prizes. Tickets are $50 and may be obtained by calling 410-409-0187 or through email at gcampbell8185@gmail.com.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
