Businesses on the Street Where You Live: Rossville Station

As major companies pull up stakes and head out of Maryland, it’s easy to get discouraged about the state of business. Giant companies fail, so it’s important to look around at what has always been the core of the local economy in Essex-Middle River: small business.

Commuters often overlook wonderful, local businesses as they fight to get somewhere in a hurry. Today it’s all about the destination. This week, we’re enjoying a stretch of road on Rossville Blvd. anchored by Pulaski Highway and Stemmers Run Rd. Take your time. A GPS can’t tell you about a new business or a business worth a second look. Only your eyes—and Patch—will do that.

Up through the 1980s, Rossville Boulevard's east side remained as more of a cut-through for cars, uniting Rosedale with Essex. The corner of Pulaski and Rossville housed one of a string of sleepy motels that dotted Route 40 since the 1960s.

Nowadays that corner reflects the current state of business in the area: bustling, catering to commuters, area homeowners and teens with wheels tooling around from school to an after-school job or to a local eatery, hair salon or shopping excursion.

What was once a quiet corner business-wise, now features a Checkers, Wawa and car wash, aimed at drawing in that “going from here-to-there” traffic making its way into Essex in the morning.

Continue down Rossville to a strip center on the right and you have Rossville Station.

Built in 1992, Rossville Station sits at Rossville Boulevard and Kelso Drive. While it looks small in comparison to other strip malls in the area, it holds 83 parking spaces dedicated to the eight businesses on site:

1., 6058 Rossville Blvd., 410-391-3801

Dr. Tamara M. Gant Dulan of DentalWorks practices gentle dentistry, featuring general and cosmetic surgery. Its slogan is: “We cater to cowards.” DentalWorks accepts walk-in clients.

Cosmetic dentistry (partial list):

• Orthodontics (adult & children). Includes Invisalign, an alternative form of braces that are both invisible and removable. Adults have abandoned the idea of getting braces as they age because they consider it embarrassing to be seen in traditional, metal braces as an adult. Now there’s an alternative to align teeth in an unobtrusive way.
• Tooth whitening. The procedure takes about 90 minutes in the office. Or, use the home-bleaching system, which should give results in about two weeks.

Other dentistry (partial list)

• Root canals, periodontal disease, TMJ treatments

FYI: DentalWorks, Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri., by appt.; Emergency Care, same day.

2.,  6054 Rossville Blvd., 410-682-3544

Dr. Miller is a board-certified podiatrist who treats diabetic foot complications, sprains and other foot/ankle-related problems. The practice accepts most PPO insurance.

FYI: Dr. Michael R. Miller, Hours: Mon., Tues, Thurs., Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Weds., 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

3., 6052 Rossville Blvd., 410-238-0071

State Farm Insurance agent Natasha Parker has been seeing clients at Rossville Station for about three years, while the parent company has been operating since 1922. According to Parker, her clients request insurance (renters, life, auto, home owners and health), as well as banking, refinancing and credit card services, among others.

FYI: State Farm Insurance, Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., Eves, by appt.

4., 6050 Rossville Blvd., 410-574-1880 

Diane and Alvin Lewis have operated their Aerus franchise business for almost 30 years. The business specializes in home and commercial products aimed at improving the customer’s quality of life by providing environmental systems meant to purify the air or water in a building (home or business). They sell vacuums, heaters and water/air purification systems for allergy and asthma control. Aerus offers repair on all types of shampooers and vacuums, as well as free pickup and delivery to customers.

FYI: Aerus, Hours: Mon.-Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

5. , 6048 Rossville Blvd., 410-780-0172

Bello-Vittos opened in 1993, and while it bills itself as an Italian eatery, there’s a range of local products and ethnic cuisine offered. Pizza, spaghetti and lasagna are staples, but you can also buy a gyro, chicken kabob pita, an oyster platter or a plate of mild/spicy wings. To save time, customers can place an order  for pickup.

FYI: Bello-Vittos, Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 6 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

6., 6046 Rossville Blvd., 410-918-1313

The salon accepts walk-in clients, but make a reservation because it gets busy. La Rouge Nails will provide a full set of nails for $23 and fill-ins for $15. Get a full spa manicure and pedicure for $35.

Set up a food order at Bella-Vittos or Lowers Crab and Fish Market, and arrange for your meal to be ready when you’re done being pampered.

FYI: La Rouge Nails, Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., 10 am.-6 p.m.

7. Signs in One Day, 6036B Rossville Blvd., 410-780-7446

This store shares an address with Lowers Crab Shack & Fish Market (6036A). Professional graphic artists create truck, boat and window lettering, as well as wall graphics and decals. Check out examples of their artwork on the Signs in One Day Facebook page. If you’re looking for a job, Signs in One Day is looking for full-time help from someone with sign design skills.

FYI: Signs in One Day, Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

8. ,  6036A Rossville Blvd., 410-238-2722

“We catch ‘em. We steam ‘em. You eat ‘em.” That’s the Lowers Crab Shack & Fish Market motto.  Owner Jesse Lowers has been a commercial fisherman and hunting guide on the Chesapeake Bay for 14 years. Chris Phelps teamed up with Lowers  three years later where both men fished, crabbed and led guided hunts on the Bay. It’s a guy’s dream life.

A part of the dream was missing. Both wanted to own a traditional crab shack and fish market to bring their wares to the community in which they live.

In 2008, the pair opened the Lowers Crab Shack & Fish Market in Rossville Station. Now they bring the crab and fish they catch on their own boat and sell it at the shop.

Their website features recipes, links to articles about the business, photos and information on specials. It also features a blog and menu page. Jesse and Chris also maintain a Facebook  page. “Like” Lowers on their Facebook page. 

FYI: Lowers Crab Shack & Fish Market, Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.