Search for Stars Hollow: Catonsville, Maryland

Sometimes you think you know an area, driving the same routes and seeing the same buildings every time you return. Suddenly, one day a colleague mentions stopping for coffee at a new (to you) coffee shop rather than the cookie cutter Starbucks in what could be any random strip mall.



As we rounded a corner on Frederick Road, I caught a glimpse of what might be in store. If you blinked, you'd miss it, but there, off to the right, is a sign noting that you've just crossed into Catonsville, music city Maryland. Seriously? Yes. Evidently this small downtown area is home to four music shops, a summer concert series, and a monthly Appalachian bluegrass jam session. In honor of this tradition, I popped into Bill's Music and later went back to pick up a new ukulele (more on this later).


But let's get back to this coffee shop. I fell in love with Atwater's immediately upon crossing the threshold. I may have actually fallen for it when I saw the sign.

I realize I'm easy to please, but using dry pasta to stir drinks seems borderline brilliant. We may want to bring these folks into the next set of peace talks.


A quick check of the community calendar indicates a slew of community events, though nothing to rival Stars Hollow's 24-hour dance-a-thon. I've got a couple of community meetings I'm speaking at coming up in the local library. Cross your fingers for me that I don't run into a real life Taylor Doose.