ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball yesterday Visit Howard County to announce the launch of “Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks” this winter season. This winter’s two-week celebration of food runs from Monday, January 19th through Sunday, February 1st and features a long list of participating locations. Photos of the event can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website.
Howard County is home to an incredible and diverse culinary community – one that reflects who we are as a county: vibrant, creative, and deeply connected. Our local restaurants are more than just places to eat. They create jobs, support our local economy, and bring people together around the table, which is something that matters now more than ever. This ‘Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Weeks,’ I invite residents and visitors alike to explore new flavors, revisit favorite spots, and support the businesses that give our county its unique character. Bon Appetit!
Sponsored by Visit Howard County, Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks provides the community with the opportunity to savor extraordinary dining experiences and explore the rich tapestry of restaurants that call the county home. As the period following the holidays is traditionally slower for the restaurant industry, these weeks provide an established platform to encourage dining activity, showcase local establishments, and support participation across the county. To support local restaurants, Visit Howard County announced its one-time waiver of the participation fees for this winter’s Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks.
It was also announced during yesterday's event that Local HoCo Open Rewards app participants who dine at participating Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks establishments will earn 10 percent cash back versus the normal five percent.
Ball announced the launch of the Local HoCo Open Rewards app this past August, in conjunction with the launch of the summer season’s Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks. Offered in partnership between the County, Visit Howard County, Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), and the Howard County Chamber, the Open Rewards program rewards residents and visitors who shop, dine, and spend at Howard County locally owned businesses.
To participate, consumers simply download the Local HoCo Open Rewards app, link a credit or debit card, and start earning rewards automatically with eligible purchases made at local businesses that are members of Visit Howard County, Old Ellicott City, and are registered with HCEDA. Participating businesses are clearly identified with the Local HoCo seal.
The Open Rewards program is part of Visit Howard County’s Local HoCo marketing campaign to support local and small businesses. In his Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget, Ball provided $200,000 in funding to help launch and support Local HoCo. The Local HoCo campaign is dedicated to educating residents and visitors on the benefits of supporting local businesses and its website is a quick resource to find locally owned and operated businesses in Howard County.
Open Rewards builds on the Local HoCo campaign by creating a simple, accessible way for residents and visitors to support locally owned businesses across Howard County. Launching the program alongside Winter Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks, and waiving participation fees for restaurants this year, reflects our continued commitment to reducing barriers, encouraging participation, and supporting the long-term vitality of our local business community.
"Our restaurants are small businesses, major employers, and essential contributors to our quality of life,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO, HCEDA. “This initiative invites residents and visitors to support local entrepreneurs while experiencing the diversity and excellence that make Howard County’s food scene thrive.”
“In Howard County, every purchase made at a locally owned business invests in our community,” said Kristi Simon, President & CEO, Howard County Chamber. “By dining locally, we encourage entrepreneurship, strengthen our workforce, and help create a sustainable future by keeping revenues and tax dollars right here at home.”
“Howard County Winter Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks are a powerful reminder that shopping local is one of the most impactful investments we can make,” added Dewan Clayborn, President & CEO, Central Maryland Chamber. “When we choose to dine, sip, and spend locally, we are supporting small business owners, creating jobs, and strengthening the fabric of our community. These weeks celebrate the creativity, resilience, and economic impact of Howard County’s local restaurants and craft beverage makers, and we encourage residents and visitors alike to show up and support the businesses that make our county thrive.”
“Supporting local restaurants and small businesses is always important, and while dining out”, added Marshall Weston Jr. / President & CEO, Restaurant Association of Maryland. “‘Make Yours a Maryland’ and ask for a craft beverage from one of Maryland’s breweries, wineries, or distilleries”.
“As Howard County residents, we chose to open our seafood restaurant, Hudson Coastal, in the neighborhood where we live and are raising our children,” said Tricia Hudson, Board President, Visit Howard County and Owner, Hudson Coastal Raw Bar & Grill. “One benefit of owning our business in this great county is that we are able to support local non-profits by providing food and our time to their causes. This also leads to a full-circle moment when those who work and volunteer for these organizations come in to support our business. Restaurant Weeks is another great reason to dine with us and keep local money in our county to support local causes.”
“We’re thankful for the opportunity to participate in Winter Restaurant Weeks and to welcome the community into Elliott’s Craft Kitchen,” said Ryan Fichter, Owner, Elliott’s Craft Kitchen. “Restaurant Weeks give people a reason to come together—to celebrate, spend time with one another, and experience what we do best.”
To learn more about Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks, visit www.hocorestaurantweeks.com.
Visit Howard County is the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Howard County, Maryland, recognized by the Howard County Government and the Maryland Office of Tourism Development. As a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization funded by a portion of the County hotel tax, Visit Howard County is dedicated to marketing and developing the county as a premier leisure and business travel destination. To learn more about Visit Howard County, visit www.visithowardcounty.com.