Salvo Auto Parts Opening at Perry Hall Square

Perry Hall Square Shopping Center plans to welcome its newest addition next week.

A grand opening celebration for Salvo Auto Parts is planned between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Oct. 6. The store was constructed by combining multiple vacancies at the Ebenezer Road shopping center.

"We combined spaces, added new lighting. We hope to revitalize this part of the center, and hopefully bring more people here," said company representative Kirk Salvo.

County Councilman David Marks praised the revitalization aspect of the opening. "I am happy that a large chunk of the vacant space at the Perry Hall Square Shopping Center will now be filled," Marks wrote in an email to Patch.

Vacancies are an ongoing concern at the historic shopping center.

A commercial revitalization district, offering governmental assistance to businesses at the center, was proposed by Marks and approved by the County Council in May 2011. By summer of 2011, vacancies peaked at 40 percent. Marks has also recently worked toward ensuring new design standards for the area he calls Downtown Perry Hall.

Officials from the center's management company, Kimco Realty, have been outspoken in their support for bringing in new businesses. Over the past year, a Giant grocery store, frozen yogurt shop and martial arts school have entered the center.

Plans for Salvo Auto Parts were announced in January. It will be the 10th store to open in Maryland, between locations in Overlea and Bel Air. The chain has been family-owned and operated since 1936.

"Perry Hall has a great customer base. It's mostly a demographic decision," Salvo said.

Part of the grand opening will benefit sports teams at Perry Hall High School, he said. It will also include a small car show, sports and car-related giveaways, food and drinks. An iPhone 5 will also be given away at 6 p.m., Salvo said.

Salvo said he anticipates success at the new location.

"We like to think we have the biggest inventory in town with the best prices.
They should come and see us," he said.

Have recent additions changed your view of Perry Hall Square? Do you shop along Ebenezer Road? Tell us in the comments.