ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today joined Visit Howard County to announce the launch of “Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks” this summer season. This two-week celebration of food runs from Monday, July 27th through Sunday, August 9th and features a long list of participating locations. Photos of the event can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website and video on the County’s Executive’s Facebook webpage.
Howard County's vibrant restaurant and craft beverage community is an essential part of what makes our county such a special place to live, work, and visit. Our Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks is not only a wonderful opportunity to showcase the incredible talent, creativity, and hospitality of our local chefs, brewers, distillers, wineries, and beverage artisans, but it also affords us the opportunity to support our neighborhood businesses, strengthen our local economy, create jobs, and celebrate the diverse flavors that bring our community together. These next weeks, I hope everyone will take time out of their schedules to take advantage of this exciting event, discover a new favorite restaurant or craft beverage, and join us in supporting the small businesses that make Howard County thrive. 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 summer season is typically slower for the restaurant industry due to vacations, altered routines, and extreme heat, these weeks provide an established platform to encourage dining activity, showcase local establishments, and support participation across the county. This year’s summer event welcomes more than a dozen first-time participants, expanding the lineup and giving residents and visitors even more opportunities to discover new culinary experiences throughout Howard County.
During today’s event, it was also announced that Local HoCo Open Rewards app participants who dine at participating Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks establishments will once again earn 10 percent cash back versus the normal five percent. Also, during this summer season’s Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverages Week, new Open Rewards subscribers will receive a $5 sign-up reward.
Ball announced the launch of the Local HoCo Open Rewards app in August 2025, in conjunction with the launch of last 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.
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. Running the program alongside Summer Restaurant and Craft Beverage Weeks continues our commitment to supporting the long-term vitality of our local business community.
“Every meal purchased during Summer Restaurant Weeks is an investment in Howard County's economy,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO, HCEDA. “Our locally owned restaurants create jobs and give our communities the unique character that attracts residents and visitors. Restaurant Weeks is an opportunity to discover a new favorite while strengthening the small businesses that help our local economy thrive year-round.”
The Open Rewards program is part of Visit Howard County’s Local HoCo marketing campaign to support local and small businesses. The campaign is dedicated to educating residents and visitors on the benefits of supporting local businesses and its “Local HoCo” website is a quick resource to find locally owned and operated businesses in Howard County.
Additionally, during today’s event, it was shared that Visit Howard County has partnered with iHeartRadio to give aware gift cards from participating restaurants through online drawings on the radio stations: Z104.3, Baltimore's #1 Hit Music Station; 93.1 WPOC, Today's Best Country; and 102.7 JACK-FM, Playing What We Want for Baltimore. There will also be one grand prize for a Howard County getaway package that includes an overnight stay and more than $1,000 in dining and attraction experiences.
Here’s what others had to say:
- Courtney Watson, Maryland State Delegate, District 9B (encompasses historic Ellicott City) – “I’m so happy to welcome River House back to Main Street.”
- Kristi Simon, President and CEO, Howard County Chamber – “In Howard County, every purchase made at a locally owned business invests in our community. 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.”
- Marshall Weston Jr., President and CEO, Restaurant Association of Maryland – “Supporting local restaurants and small businesses is always important, and while dining out. ‘Make Yours a Maryland’ and ask for a craft beverage from one of Maryland’s breweries, wineries, or distilleries.”
- Tricia Hudson, Board President, Visit Howard County and Owner, Hudson Coastal Raw Bar & Grill – “As Howard County residents, we chose to open our seafood restaurant, Hudson Coastal, in the neighborhood where we live and are raising our children. 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.”
- Nathan Sowers, Chef and Restaurateur, River House on Main – “We're thrilled to participate in Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks as we celebrate returning home to Historic Ellicott City with River House on Main, the new River House Pizza Co. Pizzeria Bistro concept. Restaurant Weeks are a great opportunity to experience our expanded menu featuring handcrafted pizzas, French and Italian-inspired bistro cuisine, and weekend brunch in one of Ellicott City's beautifully restored historic buildings. We look forward to welcoming both longtime River House Pizza Co. guests and first-time visitors.”
- Bernadette Carter, sazón traveler and foodie storyteller – “As a DMV food creator, I love when our dining scene gets to shine. Howard County Summer Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks celebrates exactly what makes this area special - diverse, chef-driven spots, local breweries and distilleries, and a community that shows up to support its hospitality workers.”
To learn more about Howard County Restaurant & Craft Beverage Weeks, visit www.hocorestaurantweeks.com.