Research is ongoing to confirm the historical use of this property. If you see any errors or have additional information, please contact the Museum through the methods at the bottom of the page
Note: from the 1950s-1970s, this property was considered "43-47 Main Street."
Confirmed Use as of October 22, 2025:
c. 1883-1910: W.H. Bennett has a general merchandise store in Sykesville and expands this address around 1910 to encompass 15,000 square feet of goods. Bennett unified the buildings that now makes up this address, adding its distinctive front windows. By 1910, his business also included two large warehouses behind the building (unattributed clipping, 1910). In 1911, his building was in use as three separate store types (Sanborn Fire Maps [see above])(Sykesville Past and Present, Linda Greenberg, 2012)
1914: This building is partially in use by Blumberg's Underselling Store (Sykesville Herald, 19 March 1914).
1915: This building is partially occupied by Poole Brothers piano and music store under Jesse and A.M. Poole (Sykesville Herald, 5 August 1915).
c. 1921-1931: Harry R. Devries' (who had bought the business from W.H. Bennett) Farmer's Supply House is affected by a cloudburst storm which flooded the basement of this address. (Sykesville Herald,1 December, 1921; 29 June 1922; 10 Dec. 1931 p. 6; p. 1)
1924: The Sanborn Fire Map of Sykesville shows a single, very large store at this address (see Sanborn Fire Maps above).
The building was sold by Harry DeVries to DeVries Hering, then Russel Hughes. (Sykesville Past and Present, Linda Greenberg, 2012)
c. 1942-1965: Devries R. Hering, who purchased the business and building from Harry DeVries, occupies a business of his name ("Devries R. Hering Inc.") at this location. It is eventually sold to Russell Hughes (1965 Business License, Letterhead, Order of George Henze dated August 8., 1942).
c. 1976-1984: Hughes Inc. shop and garage operates at 7540 (Carroll County Times, 8 Dec 1980, p. 18; 27 June 1984, p. 8). Russell Hughes sells the business to Robert Anderson in the early 1980s (Sykesville Past and Present, Linda Greenberg, 2012, p. 44; Bicentennial promotional materials of the museum)
c. 1984-1985: Sykesville Hardware Store operates from this address(Carroll County Times, 26 September 1983 p. 8)
1985: Lot is sold at the mortgage sale with adjacent lot (Carroll County Times, 4 Jan 1985 p. 23).
1985-1993: 7540 site is partially used as offices of the Town of Sykesville (Carroll County Times 25 July 1985, p. 23; 23 Sept. 1993, p. 33)
1985-1986: Area is referred to as "Shoppers Station Mall" and is partially occupied by Gemini Flowers at 7540. (Carroll County Times, 16 January 1985, p. 27; 23 January 1986 p. 33)
1987:Part of site of 7540 continues to operate as a "shop and garage" through 1987. (Carroll County Times, 27 June 1987, p. 17)
1988: Sykesville Baptist Chapel uses the site of 7540 briefly (Carroll County Times, 8 Jan 1988, p. 13)
1988: Building owed taxes under Robert N. Anderson (Carroll County Times, 10 June 1988, p. 41)
1991: new owner, Bruce Greenberg applied for a facade improvement grant with the Town (Carroll County Times, 29 January 1991, p. 12)
1991: The Hidden Reef fish supply store operates at 7540B. (Carroll County Times, 22 July 1991)
1992: DKD Electronic Repairs Inc. is listed as a business at 7542 Main Street (Carroll County Times, 11 October 1992, p. 26)
1992-2016: Alexandra's Attic operates at 7542 Main Street opening Friday the 13th of November, 1992, and closing in August of 2016. The original store was run by Craig and Charlie Ann Taylor, and after 2001 by Craig Taylor Jr. (Carroll County Times, 22 October 1992, p. 26; "Weekend Adventure," Baltimore Sun, 6 July 2016.)
1994-1996: Meadowsweet Emporium opens at 7540 on March 15, 1994 under owner Lori Ann Pfeffercorn, later relocating to 7543 Main Street. (Carroll County Times, 4 March 1994)
c. 1996: A Touch of Olde antiques shop operates at the far right section of 7540 Main. (see photograph above)
1996-2001: All Through The House relocates from the Sykesville Emporium (7604 Main) to 7540 at the end of 1996 and continues to operate into the early 2000s. (Carroll County Times 9 April 1997, p. 8; 26 October 2001, p. 2)
1998-1999: Creations by Corinne interior decorating operates within part of 7540. (Carroll County Times, 23 Jan 1998, p. 3, 3 December 1999, p. 13)
2004: Maryland Antique Galleries (2004 Centennial on the Tracks Walking Map)
2008-2023: Sweet Simplici-Tea opens at 7540 Main Street's far right address with a separate entrance to the other shops. The business ran until summer of 2023 when it was sold to the Kate Pearl tea room (https://thekatepearltearoom.com/sweet-simplici-tea/)
2012: The Main Street Trading Emporium, under owner John Fitzgerald is one of several businesses that operated at the time at 7540 Main Street. (Sykesville Past and Present, Patricia Greenberg, 2012, p. 43)
2017: Market Tavern relocates to 7542 Main Street from 7556 Main Street, operating until Oct. 8, 2022. (Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2023)
2023-present: Local Motive restaurant and bar replaces the space previously occupied by Market Tavern ("The Local Motive," beveragejournalinc.com; 13 September 2025)
2023-present: Kate Pearl Tea Room on Main (a branch of the original tea room, which occupies its original site in Westminster) occupies the former location of Sweet Simplici-Tea tea room.
present (2025): Local Motive restaurant and bar operates in 7540, and Unwined Co. operates in 7542, with Shrimptown Skate Shop and Georgie Lou's Consignment are in the basement of the address of 7540. Kate Perl Tea Room on Main operates in the far right side of the building, also listed as 7540, but with a separate entrance.
