In an era of increasing online shopping, it’s important to remember that shopping small makes a big difference. An impressive 99% percent of our downtown retailers are independently owned — which means you can enjoy a guilt-free shopping experience, knowing that 68 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy.

So before you turn to the internet or head to the mall, take a spin through Downtown Frederick and visit the amazing independent retailers that you won’t find anywhere else.

Don’t forget, Downtown Frederick has free weekend parking at meters and in city parking garages through New Year’s Day!

Many of our shops even stay open 7 days a week during the holiday season!

Keep reading for a list of those shopping locations, which will be open every day through Christmas Eve. Many shops even extend their hours over the weekends, staying open late ’til 8pm on Fridays & Saturdays (these businesses are marked with an * in the list below). Find a complete list of shopping and dining in Downtown Frederick here!

Holiday Gift Guide

Whether you’re hunting for handcrafted treasures, treating someone to a memorable meal, or supporting the small businesses that make our downtown shine, you’ll find endless ways to make this holiday season special and – best of all – LOCAL.

Shopping (open 7 days a week!)

Food + Drink (open 7 days a week!)

Entertainment (open 7 days a week!)

Fitness (open 7 days a week!)

Open for Business (may have reduced hours)

The post Downtown Frederick is Open for the Holidays! appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

There’s a new spot to make your holiday season shine! Downtown Frederick Partnership is thrilled to announce the opening of Holiday HQ, a festive pop-up info center and selfie paradise located at 22 S Market St, inside the historic Federated Charities building.

Follow the wall of colorful lights and step into the magic – Holiday HQ is decked out with fabulous, photo-worthy installations perfect for sharing (and showing off) your Downtown Frederick adventures.

Pose in front of our glimmering disco wall, snap a postcard-perfect shot inside our life-sized Polaroid frame, or get cozy in our retro 70’s-inspired holiday nook – it’s all here waiting to make your season brighter. Get a sneak preview of the space at downtownfrederick.org/holidayhq.

The space will serve as the weekend winter headquarters for the Downtown Frederick Ambassador team, who will be on hand to help visitors discover shopping, dining and holiday happenings all season long.

Holiday HQ Hours: November 8 – December 21

• Saturdays | 3-6PM
• Sundays | 1-4PM

Whether you’re downtown for shopping, dining or dazzling holiday lights, make Holiday HQ your first stop for festive fun and a quick photo op that’s guaranteed to sleigh.

The post Holiday HQ… Your Holiday Headquarters! appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

With FREE PARKING in all of the City’s garages and meters all day on Monday, September 1, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make a weekend of it in Downtown Frederick!

Don’t see your favorite place on our list? This is only a start! Be sure to check with individual businesses for their most up-to-date hours. For more great things to see and do in Downtown Frederick, visit downtownfrederick.org/events

Spend your Labor Day weekend with us!

The post Labor Day in Downtown Frederick appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

With FREE PARKING in all of the City’s garages and meters on Friday, July 4, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make a weekend of it in Downtown Frederick!

Don’t see your favorite place on our list? This is only a start. Be sure to check with individual businesses for their most up-to-date hours.

For more great things to see and do in Downtown Frederick, visit downtownfrederick.org/events.

Spend your 4th of July weekend with us!

The post 4th of July in Downtown Frederick appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

Don’t see your favorite place on our list? This is only a start! Be sure to check with individual businesses for their most up-to-date hours. For more great things to see and do in Downtown Frederick, visit downtownfrederick.org/events.

The post Visit Downtown Frederick this Memorial Day! appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

Downtown Frederick, Maryland – Downtown Frederick Partnership, McClintock Distilling and the City of Frederick are excited to announce the development of a new small-scale food hall in Downtown Frederick. This traditional food hall will feature four food stalls ranging from about 200 to 350 square feet, a bar and a market stall, located in a 6,000 square foot lower-level space within a historic commercial building owned by McClintock Distilling. Strategically positioned near East Patrick Street, Carroll Creek Linear Park, the future Downtown Hotel & Conference Center, the Police Headquarters and newly planned housing developments, the food hall is set to become a key attraction for both locals and visitors in the area.

The goal of this initiative is to provide an accessible entry point for early-stage culinary entrepreneurs into Downtown Frederick’s competitive commercial real estate market while also expanding and diversifying business ownership and offerings in the community. By providing shared space and lower startup costs compared to traditional standalone storefronts, the food hall model makes entrepreneurship more accessible to a wider range of small businesses. The food hall will strengthen downtown’s overall dining scene, driving foot traffic and supporting existing businesses.

“The Partnership is thrilled to collaborate with McClintock Distilling and the City of Frederick to support entry stage culinary entrepreneurs” said Kara Norman, Executive Director of Downtown Frederick Partnership. “This project will foster a more diverse and inclusive small business community in Downtown Frederick. By making entrepreneurship more accessible, we’re not just enhancing our local dining scene—we’re strengthening the economic landscape of our community.”

The Partnership is committed to strengthening Downtown Frederick’s business ecosystem. This project aligns with a key goal in the organization’s 2025 Strategic Plan and Equitable Business Development Strategy by cultivating entrepreneurship, growing businesses, creating jobs and increasing access to resources.

Recognizing that access to affordable commercial space and startup capital are key hurdles for many aspiring business owners, the Partnership pursued funding opportunities that would help lower these obstacles. By securing funds to help offset buildout costs, the Partnership is able to work with McClintock Distilling (who will operate the food hall) to guarantee that future tenants have access to reduced rent and/or upfront financial assistance. This partnership will help to lower startup costs and provide a more inclusive pathway for small- scale entrepreneurs.

“This project is a perfect example of what happens when we work together to lower the barriers to business ownership,” said Mayor Michael O’Connor. “By partnering with Downtown Frederick Partnership and McClintock Distilling, we’re creating opportunities for entrepreneurs who might otherwise be locked out of traditional commercial spaces. It’s about making Frederick a place where good ideas and hard work have a real chance to thrive.”

The project is supported by a $300,000 grant from Project Restore 2.0 – a unique, one-time grant opportunity by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) that revitalizes communities by addressing vacant buildings, supporting small businesses, creating jobs and improving commercial corridors. Grant funding restrictions which prohibit funds from being used for property acquisition or new construction on vacant lots narrowed the selection process, and the food hall site emerged as a strategic choice. Additionally, due to the project’s scale and potential impact, the City of Frederick sought funding from DHCD’s Strategic Demolition Fund and was ultimately awarded $200,000 to assist with the building’s rehabilitation.

Renovation costs are expected to exceed $1,000,000, including expenses for architectural design, engineering and food hall consultation. Construction is scheduled to begin in late summer 2025, with the food hall expected to be operational within the next year. The application process for food hall tenants will launch in spring 2025. McClintock Distilling and the Partnership will engage several key community partners to assist with tenant recruitment
and selection.

Braeden Bumpers, Co-Founder of McClintock Distilling, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “We are very excited to be working on this project with Downtown Frederick Partnership and the City. As a small family-owned business, we are proud to work on a project that gives opportunities to other new entrepreneurs to bring new concepts and flavors to Downtown Frederick. We hope to extend and continue the values of innovation, quality and community engagement to the food hall concept and hope it becomes a mainstay of the downtown experience.”

Both the Partnership and McClintock Distilling bring extensive experience and expertise to the project. The McClintock team has previously renovated two historic properties near the project site, which now house McClintock Distilling and McClintock’s Back Bar. McClintock will own and manage the food hall and oversee the design and construction process, hiring architects, engineers and contractors to complete the project.

More than just a dining destination, the food hall is poised to become a hub for community engagement, a driver of local economic growth and a catalyst for new restaurant concepts that will enhance Downtown Frederick’s culinary vibrancy.

For more about Downtown Frederick Partnership’s initiatives, visit downtownfrederick.org.

About Downtown Frederick Partnership:
Founded in 1990 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Downtown Frederick Partnership has managed Downtown Frederick’s Main Street program since designation in 2001. Downtown Frederick Partnership works to enhance, promote and preserve the vitality, livability and diversity of Downtown Frederick — a national Main Street community.

City of Frederick Department of Economic Development:
The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and sustainable economy by supporting businesses, attracting investment and enhancing workforce development. Through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and resources, the department works to create a business-friendly environment that encourages innovation,
entrepreneurship and economic growth in the City of Frederick.

McClintock Distilling:
Founded in 2016, McClintock Distilling is a craft distillery located in Downtown Frederick, Maryland. Known for its commitment to quality and innovation, McClintock Distilling produces a range of spirits using locally sourced ingredients and traditional methods. The distillery is dedicated to sustainability, community engagement and crafting exceptional spirits that reflect the rich heritage of the region.

Contact:
Feby Emelio
Communications Manager, Downtown Frederick Partnership
301.698.8118
feby@downtownfrederick.org

The post Downtown Frederick to Welcome New Food Hall, Supporting Emerging Entrepreneurs appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

The festivities begin on Friday evening, January 31, with an exciting lineup of activities to kick off the winter fun. Visitors can enjoy a live ice carving demonstration at Everedy Square & Shab Row, sponsored by Brothers Services Company, from 6PM – 9PM. The evening also features thrilling fire performances by Pyrophoric at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater at 7PM and 8PM, sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. For those looking to join in the excitement, the Ice Games Center at 331 N Market Street will be open from 6 PM – 9 PM, offering interactive games for all ages. Guests can also head to the Polar Lounge at 15 E 6th Street, between 6PM – 9PM, sponsored by Precision for Medicine, to enjoy a cozy winter atmosphere complete with two fire towers, which are sure to impress.

On Saturday, February 1, the festivities continue all day with even more winter magic. From 11 AM – 9 PM, visitors can embark on the Ice Walk, featuring over 120 intricately carved ice sculptures displayed throughout Downtown Frederick. The Polar Lounge and Ice Games Center will also be open during these hours, providing warm spaces and engaging activities for guests of all ages. Food lovers can head to the Food Truck Court at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater from 11 AM – 7 PM to enjoy a variety of delicious offerings along with all our downtown restaurants. For those looking for a bit of adventure, a Scavenger Hunt will run from 12 PM – 6 PM, with clue sheets available for pick-up at 5 N Market Street. As the evening winds down, families can enjoy Marshmallow Roasting Stations, open from 4PM – 9PM, at both the Ice Games Center and the Polar Lounge.

To make the event more accessible, free shuttles, including one ADA-compliant shuttle, will run on Saturday from 11AM – 10PM, providing rides every 15 minutes to and from the three remote parking locations listed below. Visitors can take advantage of free parking at the shuttle locations and enjoy convenient transportation downtown, courtesy of Visit Frederick.

Parking will be a $10 flat rate in all five downtown parking garages from 11AM – 9PM on Saturday, February 1.

“Fire In Ice is a magical weekend that celebrates the vibrant Downtown Frederick community while offering visitors an unforgettable experience,” said Kara Norman, Executive Director of Downtown Frederick Partnership. “From stunning ice sculptures to breathtaking fire performances to cozy marshmallow roasting stations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.”

For more details about Fire In Ice, including shuttle routes, parking and traffic updates, visit downtownfrederick.org/fireinice.

Weather Note: We are closely monitoring the forecast for this weekend and will announce any schedule changes by 10 AM Friday morning.

Contact:
Feby Emelio
Communications Manager, Downtown Frederick Partnership
301.698.8118
feby@downtownfrederick.org

The post Downtown Frederick Partnership Gears Up for Fire In Ice appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

Don’t see your favorite place on our list? This is only a start! Be sure to check with individual businesses for their most up-to-date hours. For more great things to see and do in Downtown Frederick, visit downtownfrederick.org/events.

The post Visit Downtown Frederick this Martin Luther King, Jr Day! appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

In an era of increasing online shopping, it’s important to remember that shopping small makes a big difference. An impressive 99% percent of our downtown retailers are independently owned — which means you can enjoy a guilt-free shopping experience, knowing that 67 cents of every dollar spent at a small business stays in the local economy.

So before you turn to the internet or head to the mall, take a spin through Downtown Frederick and visit the amazing independent retailers that you won’t find anywhere else.

Many of our shops are open through Christmas Eve!

Keep reading for a list of those shopping locations and their Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day plans. *Many businesses have reduced hours, please check before shopping!

Find a complete list of shopping and dining in Downtown Frederick here!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Day

The post Downtown Frederick is Open for the Holidays! appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.

With FREE PARKING in all of the City’s garages and meters all day on Monday, September 1, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make a weekend of it in Downtown Frederick!

Don’t see your favorite place on our list? This is only a start! Be sure to check with individual businesses for their most up-to-date hours*. For more great things to see and do in Downtown Frederick, visit downtownfrederick.org/events

Spend your Labor Day weekend with us!

The post Labor Day in Downtown Frederick appeared first on Downtown Frederick Partnership.