Will it be called Gourmet Again Again? Or the Gourmet Girls Again?
This could get a little confusing.
The owners of the Owings Mills-based eatery/catering business The Gourmet Girls, Barbara Collurafici and Lisa Honick, recently announced on Facebook that they plan to open a second location in the former space of Gourmet Again, at 3713 Old Court Rd. The space is located in Pikesville’s Dumbarton Square shopping center, which is owned by Klein Enterprises.
“It is our hope that we reconnect with old friends, welcome new ones and host our neighborhood & community in the manner you expect from Gourmet Girls MD,” Collurafici and Honick wrote on their Facebook post. “Our success over the past 14 years is because of our customers and we thank you. We know a Pikesville location will allow us to serve each of you with additional options, new menu ideas, customized catering and provide a comfortable, familiar gathering place. … We are so grateful to our customers who encouraged growth and always provide support.”
An upscale food specialty market and longtime Pikesville staple, Gourmet Again suddenly closed its doors last May. The store’s owner, Andy Hoffman, attributed the closing to today’s challenging food industry market. He said national chains and “industry powerhouses,” such as Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s, are dramatically changing the gourmet and prepared foods landscape.
Gourmet Again’s demise came in the wake of other recent high-profile, area Jewish-owned businesses that have closed their doors, including the Suburban House restaurant, Tuxedo Pharmacy, Cohen’s Clothiers, Greetings & Readings, Donna’s, Trillium, Diversions and the Edmart Deli.
The announcement by Collurafici and Honick did not indicate when their satellite establishment — tentatively to be called The Gourmet Girls Too — will open. A response to a comment posted on The Gourmet Girls Facebook page said the owners are “hoping for early May.”
From 1994 to 2007, Collurafici was the co-owner of Gourmet Again with Harold Hackerman, until she left the business to found The Gourmet Girls with Honick, an executive chef. (Collurafici’s son, Jerry Schlichting, served as Gourmet Again’s general manager for many years.)
Prior to 1994, Gourmet Again’s predecessor, the Gourmet Shop, which was owned by Stanley and Coleman Pressman, was located in the same Pikesville location on Old Court Road for most of its 25-year run, as well as at 1809 Reisterstown Rd. in the Festival of Woodholme shopping center. The Pressmans were Harold Hackerman’s uncles.
The Gourmet Girls’ current location at 1 Easter Court, Suite D, in Owings Mills offers homemade soups, deli sandwiches, salads, bakery items and prepared foods. The business caters events from work meetings to b’nai mitzvah celebrations, shivas and holiday meals.
Beth Rheingold, president of the Pikesville-Owings Mills Regional Chamber of Commerce, said she was thrilled with The Gourmet Girls taking over the Gourmet Again space.
“Even though Pikesville has lost some favorites over the years, most recently Edmart, the variety of excellent restaurants in Pikesville is growing,” Rheingold said in an email. “The arrival of Gourmet Girls is a powerful indicator that Pikesville is a desirable location that attracts new business. The POM Chamber welcomes GG to Pikesville, where we take our food seriously! We urge business professionals and residents alike to frequent Gourmet Girls once they open. Do not let the no-left-hand turns and temporary BG&E construction keep you from good food!”
On a Facebook post, Baltimore County Councilman Israel C. “Izzy” Patoka (D-2nd), wrote about the news of The Gourmet Girls coming to Pikesville, “I am thrilled with this project, which not only repurposes a vacancy but also expands a locally owned business into the 2nd District. … Terrific and exciting news for Pikesville.”
The Gourmet Girls’ Facebook announcement encouraged customers to regularly check Facebook and Instagram for updates about the new location.
This article will be updated in the near future.
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