I was just thinking "You know what boomtown needs? Another gas station"......

The only good thing about this is gas prices will lower for the first 2 weeks like they did with the Royal Farms. Then i'm sure Highs will join Royal Farms, BP and Hess in gouging. What there are really needs is a decent restaurant since nobody living nearby wants to go near Arundel Mills. Too bad Joe's Crab Shack didn't set up on 175. Righo outside Meade, they would be packed for lunch.

I was under the impression that a gas station could not be built there which would be too close to the community swimming pool?

Yea, seriously.....No need for anymore gas stations. Amazing how a perfect location such as this one has been left vacated for this long. If this town is going to grow and bring in more professionals, what needs to happen is the destruction of the row of business' that look as though the owners could care less of their exterior appearances. It just always seems as though there is trash (both people and actual trash) in that area. In addition, does anyone actually stay in the motel behind those stores? It seems as though so much is being done to improve the "image" of Odenton....Someone should look into the area right off Charter Oaks.

We have two Seven Elevens and a Royal Farms within a couple of miles of one another (not to mention half a dozen gas stations, four liquor stores, five or six pizza places, and three CVSs). There are no jewelry stores unless you go to the very pricey ones in Hanover Mills and Waugh Chapel; no Burger King unless you go to Waugh Chapel; no craft, hobby, art, fabric or office-supply stores; and worse, nowhere for singles of any age group to take a date except a couple of restaurants (Mama's in Piney Orchard, Hunan L'Rose on 175). There isn't even a decent bakery (Weis' reheating of frozen bakery products notwithstanding) or fish/steak restaurant (ditto the Crab Shack). Remind me why we need another gas station/convenience store?

Be realistic people, be happy that a decent new shiny gas station might open up, it would be a lot better than an open lot with a rubble birm around its perimeter.

To think that a jewelry store, craft store or a Joe's crabshack could open in that space on that stretch of road and stay open for any length of time is unrealistic. If a jewelry store opened in boomtown what is the over under on the numbers of days until they are held up? bottom line is boomtown will always be what it is. If the Odenton Town Center ever opens and if they have offerings that bring in traffic then maybe you'll get a couple places to open in Boomtown rolling the dice that they can pay cheaper rent and poach some of the town center traffic. Just don't see it

I would much rather it be a High's than other stores. At least High's are always clean and the workers are friendly. They kind of actually seem like part of the community rather than something like CVS where there is no personality whatsoever in the store and the workers do not care about their jobs. I've never had a bad experience with a High's and I think they will be the start of something good for our community.

I agree it'll look nicer than dirt... but, we do not need another gas station.

I don't get why we need a dupe of the Royal Farms that is a block away from there. Like some have said, a lunch spot is sorely needed around there.
Like a casual dining/take out spot.... it takes too long to get to Arundel Mills from Ft Meade.

Should rename Annapolis Road to "Gasoline Alley"

A new business means new jobs for a few. There used be a Wendy's and a Burger King(about a block away) but they didn't survive. I don't think that the "Strip" will develope untill improvements to RT175 are completed.

I think the issue about gas stations near pools and such is dependent on the total amount of fuel sold over the course of a year. Besides there are exemptions and exceptions to everything IF you have the right lawyers working for you.

Maybe they can put a picnic table out front so that we can have another 'high end' eating establishment. Nothing beats a hotdog served with gas and exhaust fumes.

I agree with Andre's assessment(s) of what is going on here. The problem appears to be too much FU money in this area. Property owners are keeping the cost of building or renting inflated and don't care if they rent or sell unless they get what they want for their property. We are at a point where only corporations and conglomerates can afford to open up a business. AND the BRAC employees and contract workers coming in are helping to keep prices inflated.

This area does not need another gas station. There are already three gas stations on this stretch of the road. Every one please call Office of Planning and Zoning and say no to gas station. Where does Seven Oaks HOA stand on this. There will be gas stations on both entrances to the community. Please, just do not leave comments here, call the County Offices and attend the community meeting.

Do you need just another vacant lot with rubble and rubbish? There used to be a nice business, and a few others there, but after getting robbed one too many times, the poor owners had no choice but to close down their business. The strip there has gone downhill very quickly; some business investment in the area would do all of you, and the Seven Oaks property values, some good.

It's a done deal. The HOA isn't going to change anything. High's has some excellent lawyers. Your only hope is to get Royal Farms to intervene.

^^ OOPS To Ronald -Sorry I accidentally clicked Flag As Inappropriate! Sorry!! I thought it was another comment about the insurance spam.

does anyone know what they are getting ready to do wirh the old Spunk Fittness center bldgin the Odenton Shopping Center? they've been over there for about a week now removing stuff ie., the sign, boarded up the windows, put out trash etc,.

I heard rumors that half of the building was leased but I don't know to whom. The best information I get is from the staff at the Dollar store - they seem to know everything.

It will be a kidney dialysis center

thanks tim and ronald. and yes you're right @Ronald the Dollar store and the Ft Meade credit union seem to know whats going on, lol. Thanks again!

Forgot about the Credit Union - speaking of which I just learned that all our FDIC insured accounts are basically not insured at all since the fund is virtually bankrupt and is not being re-funded. Is this really true? Credit unions have a different type of insurance plan. I have purchased a Lloyd's of London policy to protect my money. Leave it to Congress to force us to go outside this country for the protection we need - maybe Mitt is right about where to park our money.

yep its true :(

i've just given up on us getting a grocery store in the Odenton Shopping Center. CVS has been making a mint off of people like me who don't want to drive all thew ay down RT 3 to the Safeway / Giant or up 175 to Weis. (SMH)

Yes, I am sure CVS doesn't mind this at all. Every time I go in that store it is packed! I am sure many people who live in the area and don't have a way to get to Food Lion, Safeway or Weis walk there for groceries.

!!!!!!!!!!! SONIC!!!!!!!!!!! Drive thru can you say yum

There's a stunning amount of economic ignorance in the comments here. Many seem to know exactly what type of business should go in that empty space. The thing is, not one of you was willing to put your money on the line and put a restaurant, bakery, or jewelry store there.

Perhaps the Highs owners have done some real research and determined that, despite the protests from the economic illiterates who've done absolutely no research, a convenience store/gas station will make money. Do you think they know that 3-4 restaurants on that stretch of 175 have closed down in the past decade?