Fantastic shops in Historic Ellicott City

When you’re visiting a new area, one of the many fun things to do is to go shopping. You never know what treasures you might find. We at The Wayside Inn recommend exploring some of the fantastic shops in Historic Ellicott City.

Located just 10 minutes from the inn, Historic Ellicott City offers a range of galleries and shops that occupy carefully preserved buildings. Among them, you’ll find antiques, jewelry, eclectic boutiques, furniture and more. In addition, Historic Ellicott City also offers several restaurants and specialty shops (think coffee, tea, wine and chocolate) to provide you with the sustenance you need for a full day of retail therapy.

Ellicott’s Country Store

Ellicott’s Country Store occupies the Walker-Chandler building on Main Street in Historic Ellicott City. The building was constructed circa 1792 and is, in fact, one of the oldest duplex buildings in the United States.

Open since 1962, the family-owned store has been passed down through four generations, offering customers a variety of antiques, furniture, gifts and accessories. The owners of Ellicott Country Store also opened Ellicott Interiors in 1990 to offer professional interior design services to customers.

Take the time to browse Ellicott’s Country Store’s nine showrooms spanning four floors. You’ll find each showroom features a different decorative style, ranging from English Hunt to French Country Gourmet. You’ll also find contemporary and trend-setting furnishings and accessories.

A Journey From Junk

A Journey from Junk is a vintage boutique on Main Street. This funky shop opened in 2008 and offers everything from clothing and accessories to furniture and paint. Journey from Junk has a fun charm bar, where you can create your own necklace or bracelet from their collection of more than 100 different charms. You’ll want to check out their vintage boots and fun trinkets for the home, too.

Mat About You

Mat About You is an art gallery and custom frame shop located on Hamilton Street. This art studio-turned gallery was founded in 1972 by the late Gino Manelli, a local artist. When Manelli’s youngest son Julian began framing his father’s art a few years later, Mat About You was born. The gallery and framing shop is still family owned and has expanded to include a unique selection of jewelry and gifts in addition to paintings by local artists.

Mat About You is one of more than 20 galleries that participate in the Ellicott City Art Walk each October. The free event features a variety of styles of art, including watercolor paintings, oil paintings, metal and wood sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, photography and artistic jewelry.

Shoemaker Country

Shoemaker Country is a custom furniture store on Main Street that offers antiques as well as new handmade, custom built pieces of furniture. Enjoy exploring more than 8,000 square feet of furniture, rugs, lighting and accessories.

One of the many unique offerings at Shoemaker Country is Tom’s Hand-painted Signs. These signs have a weathered look to them and are each handmade with the same attention to detail as signmakers from 100 years ago. Pre-made signs are available, or you could have a sign custom made bearing your family name or a fun quote.

First Fridays in Ellicott City

If you happen to be in town the first Friday of the month April to December, be sure to head to Historic Ellicott City for First Fridays. The evening includes sidewalk specials and extended shopping hours from 5-9 p.m. In addition, there is a Yappy Hour and live local music. Read more about this event on our blog.

THE WAYSIDE INN

Our Ellicott City bed and breakfast is a romantic retreat from everyday reality. The Wayside Inn is the perfect place for you to escape. After a day spent shopping in Historic Ellicott City, come back to The Wayside Inn where you can relax in one of our six beautiful, quaint rooms. Wake up refreshed and enjoy a delicious gourmet breakfast that you’re sure to love.