7568 Main Street
This is a copy of an image of the E.M. Mellor Store featured in an 1913 advertisement in the Sykesville Herald Newspaper. At the time, it was considered to be the largest general store in the area.
History
7568 sits on the corner of Oklahoma Road and Main Street. The building, known as the Mellor Building, was once a single general store business built and run by E.M. Mellor. In 1879, at the time of the building's construction it was the largest store in town, offering groceries, clothes, home goods, and luxury items.
E.M. Mellor was Sykesville's first Mayor (1904-1907, as well as 1915-1917) and the Postmaster for Sykesville as well as the Director of the Sykesville National Bank (see 7564 Main Street, Warfield Building). Mellor had owned a smaller place of business prior to moving to Main Street, Sykesville, but this 10,000 square foot store was an enormous upgrade.
For most of its history, the main floor of this building held general stores. As with many Main Street structures, the second floor has held apartments.
See the photos below to learn more!
Architectural Details
This structure is a two-story frame building with a bracketed cornice, the side of the building on Oklahoma Road (part of the original structure) required the realignment of the street. The facade has been remodeled, but the most of the structure is original, having been renovated heavily in 2012 to reflect its historical appearance, including replacing the New German lap-siding in Renwick olive with chocolate brown trim.
Additional architectural details may be available through the Sykesville Historic District commission.
Undated c. 1900
This undated photograph shows the corner of the Mellor Building at left, including part of the side wing.
September 25, 1913
This photograph appeared in one of the first editions of the Sykesville Herald newspaper, advertising the business of E.M. Mellor and Son Department Store.
April 5, 1975
Consolidated Stationers Inc. occupies this space.
1996
Consolidated Stationers Inc. still occupies this space in 1996.
1989
These patriotic decorations were featured in the 1898 John Waters film "Cry Baby," featuring Johnny Depp.
7568 Main Street Today
Photograph and its occupants as of April 2025: Botanigal, State Farm, and Feet First
Site Use
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
Confirmed Use as of April 8, 2025:
c. 1895: The general store of E.M. Mellor & Son expands to this location on Main Street after starting as a small, one-room store in 1879. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1921: A.C. Brown purchases the building (from 1921-22 run alongside Harry M. Phelps) as A.C. Brown General Merchandise. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
c. 1937-April 1947: Henry Forsythe joins A.C. Brown; the business is renamed Forsythe & Brown General Store ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1947-c. 1970: Celius L. Brown sells his share in the business to Forsythe, but the business continues as a general store. ("Sykesville Past and Present A Walking Tour," Greenberg, 2012)
1978-1996: Consolidated Stationers occupies the front of the structure (see photos above) through at least 1992 (The Baltimore Sun, Sept 29, 1992)
c. 2004: Elaine Gossage State Farm occupies this space as well as Metamorphosis Pilates Studio (2004 Centennial on the Tracks Walking Map)
2012: The siding of the structure is replaced, and the building heavily renovated under the ownership of Fred and Elaine Gossage.
2013-2015: Time Warp, A comic book store occupies site b at this address (The Baltimore Sun, August 5, 2015), sharing the wing with Tri Sport Junction at the end of the occupancy.
2015-2023:Tri Sport Junction (a running goods store) joins this site in the wing along Oklahoma Road (site b) under owners Jane Linde and Donna Larkin (The Baltimore Sun, September 16, 2015)
2023: Feet First replaces Tri Sport Junction, in the same line of running shoe business (public record: Town of Sykesville), State Farm continues to occupy the entire storefront.
2024-present: Botanigal (a plant boutique formerly located up Main Street) relocates to half of the storefront of this building, State Farm and Feet First remain.