Economy, Kimco Caused Charcoal Grill Closure, Owner Says

Famous for its smokey sandwiches, 's Perry Hall location shuttered its doors last week. The owner, who still runs a in Parkville, said the economy and 's management company are to blame for the closure.

Business had dropped at the take-out restaurant, opened in 2004, according to owner Michael McFadden. "For the most part, it's just the economic times," he said.

But McFadden also expressed disappointment with the center's management company, , and the condition and maintenance of the center, which was built in 1964.

McFadden believed his rent was reasonable for the market, but said several other tenants were being overcharged.

"The rent was fair for me, but I negotiated the deal eight years ago," he said. "I was disappointed in how sparse they allowed the shopping center to become, and not giving us more of a discount for the vacancies."

Patch has reached out repeatedly to Kimco, but representatives were not available to comment on McFadden's claims.

Last summer, of the shopping center's storefronts were —16 out of 40 total spaces. 

salon, an 11-year tenant, in July 2011 because Kimco had raised the rent during the height of vacancies, said manager Kathy Lesko. The salon reopened at the newly-built shopping center, near the corner of Belair Road and Honeygo Boulevard.

Over the past year, however, the center has gained new tenants.

A and have both opened, and an is planned. , an anchor tenant grocery store, also replaced the former , which closed in July 2011.

Managers and owners at existing businesses, including and , said they hoped the new grocery store represented a turning point in more activity and at the center.

created a county-sponsored  over the area in May 2011, that allows businesses to qualify for interest-free loans, architectural and design assistance and other county benefits. Marks has also included the center is several initiatives.

Marks, during the last month, praised Kimco for their efforts toward bringing in new tenants.

But McFadden said Kimco didn't do enough to improve the area or make use of county benefits.

"It was a day late and a dollar short," he said. "When you're a billion-dollar company like Kimco, you just don't care."