Costco, Hobby Lobby, CAVA, Aldi: Businesses You Want In Edgewater

EDGEWATER, MD — We asked Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch readers what businesses they would like to see come to town, and you answered. In fact, the responses were overwhelming when we posed the question on Facebook.

We got dozens of comments that included multiple requests for a bowling alley, along with more grocery stores, namely discount chain Aldi and warehouse firm Costco, or Trader Joe's. Residents want something to fill the void of the former Giant store, with a Hobby Lobby, bowling alley or roller skating rink suggested as possible uses for the roomy building.

Overall readers want more independently-owned businesses as well as chains. But if there is one chain that has sizable support, it's Olive Garden.

Here's a sampling copied from the Facebook comments, with several comments focused on a need for facilities that would draw young people:

• Bunnie Woodburn Moreland said, "My kids are over 21. I had always thought Edgewater needs something for the kids to go to without having to go to Annapolis! Thankfully my kids were all involved in sports. It is sad for these young kids of Edgewater/ South River area have nothing for bowling, Rollerskating etc.... Enough Restaurants, liquor stores for Adults. The community needs to focus on “our” children!"
• Ruth Glaser wrote: "Something for kids...laser tag, arcade, batting cages/indoor soccer/volleyball, trampoline park, inflatable obstacle course, etc. or even a combination of some of these. There is nowhere to do any of these things around here, and the closest are Bowie, Columbia, Elkridge and Glen Burnie. That's crazy."
• Totally agree the old Giant building needs to be made into something for the kids to do in our town. Bowling alley would be nice for families!
• Chris Kueberth Nelson said, I agree...something for the younger crowd, a skating or ice rink or maybe indoor laser tag or a sky-zone. If none of that is possible then I’d love a Cracker Barrel, but I would prefer something for the kids.
• A recreation center, pool, bowling, arcade, putt putt golf, indoor/outdoor go kart track, laser tag, rock climbing wall, pool tables, ping pong, board Game Center, Legos. Movie theater.

Other types of businesses you'd like to see:

• A good breakfast place!
• A good non chain sandwich/salad/wrap/smoothie restaurant!
• LOWES! 2 Home Depot’s need competition!
• Olive Garden
• "Bowling alley in the old Giant, or for that matter, anything in the old Giant other than a costume store!"
• Walmart, Hobby Lobby, banquet hall, something for kids, anything that would get the “old Giant” building back in function other then a costume store
• Walmart
• No Hobby Lobby don’t care to support their politics!
• Naval Bagels! A good Hallmark store, or something different in the old Giant like a Cinema Brew House or small concert venue like Rams Head
• CAVA. No more Banks!!!
• A good breakfast place!
• A good non chain sandwich/salad/wrap/smoothie restaurant!
• Heard we might be getting a Tractor Supply Co. where the Edgewater Kmart is.
• Lidl way better than Aldi !!!!
• Sweet Green and Cava!
• Badlands Playspace or a market like Union Market where the old Giant was
• Ethnic grocery store, e.g Asian or Persian
• SteinMart and World Market
• Cava! NY style Deli/pizza shop. Naval Bagels. Wegmans. A good pub!
• A pet store in the old Giant (but not a chain store) or Planet Fitness
• Total Wine and more
• Another cat cafe like Kittens in Cups in Annapolis
• Bowling alley! Trader Joe’s, Lowes
• Insomnia cookies
• Ceremony Coffee Roaster
• A nice clothing store

Other requests focused on fitness, such as:

• Planet Fitness
• A YMCA with a pool
• A wellness place with several saunas and pools such as spa world in Centerville VA.
• Yoga in Mayo
• YMCA gym like in Arnold
• A gym similar to Truxton with a Ping pong and badminton center on the ground level. The second level would have an indoor walking/running track with lots of windows and a glass ceiling so you feel like you’re outside.
• I agree with a better and cheaper gym option. Its $40-60 a month here for the 2 big gym options. Go out of this area and you can 10-20$ a mnth membership! Also like the bowling alley or skating rink idea
• Boston Market or an indoor pool

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PHOTO: Drivers buy gasoline at a Costco store in Chicago. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)