i tried sending this to your email but it didn't work. i did send it to antiquedealer

New Market, Maryland: A Town Made of Antiques

Nicholas Hall and William Plummer founded New Market, Maryland in
1793, amongst the rolling farmlands of Frederick County. It became a
convenient stop for weary travelers of the National Pike, who were in
search of good food, lodgings, shops, and necessary repairs. The main
street was lined with eight hotels where a room rented for 25 cents
and a glass of thirst-quenching whiskey went for a nickel.

On nearby farms, livestock was raised and herded to markets in
Baltimore. Blacksmiths, wheel wrights, leather tanneries, wrough
iron, button and shoe factories flourished by serving socials and
visitors alike.

Though the sounds of clicking hooves have given way to the modern cars
of today, one can still visualize the horse-driven carts and buggies
of the 18th century.

While the outside world of New Market has changed, the city itself has
managed to keep its integrity by preserving its history and putting
forth warm-hearted hospitality.

Some 71 homes and 25 antique and specialty shops that were built
during the Federal period are situated along the town's main streets
and alleys.

Growing up in nearby Frederick, Maryland, exactly seven miles to the
west, my family took me often to one of my favorite restaurants,
Mealey's, which was owned and operated by Mrs Frances Mealey. Though
I always dressed up, Mealey's was a wonderful place for casual dining
that served delicious homestyle dinners in a rustic setting. They
were famous for crispy fried-chicken, flavorful broiled hot steaks and
succulent fresh water seafood that seemed to have just jumped out of
the Chesapeake Bay and onto your plate.

Mrs Mealey's relish tray was another enticing draw. It was comprised
of mouth-watering sweetcorn with pickles, red peppers, onions and
tomatoes - all mixed in heaven, but served only at Mealey's! Cole
slaw, and diary-fresh cottage cheese with wholesome brown apple butter
rounded out this pre-meal delight.

Frances learned of my love of tomatoes and subsequently thereafter
every visit that I made she instructed her staff to slice and send out
a large lazy-susan sized plate of the best blood-red beefsteaks ever
grown... and they came from her own garden!

Mrs Mealey was a warm hearted lady who always made me feel welcomed
and appreciated. I think of her often and miss her terribly for she
and her staff had an overwhelming desire to please people. I
understand that the current new owner is carrying on this same
tradition. Travelers will find an abundance of vintage trasures among
the Antique Dealers Association of Maryland. This assures the buyer
of authenticity in the selections that they make.

Hollywood film studios and networks routinely scout New Market for
items to compelment the settings of their movies or series such as
actor-producer Tom Hanks' "John Adams" on HBO.

While I was perusing the different shops, I came upon "The Little
Pottery Shop," owned by Tameria Martinez. When she opened it in 2004,
it was the first artisan business to operate along with the antique
dealers. Tameria felt that her craftsmanship and those of the artists
that she represents of unique hand-thrown and hand formed functional
and decorative pottery would be in harmony with the other owners and
it has. She does custom orders, dinnerware sets, and wedding
registries. She did so well that three years later she opened a
second shop in Frederick's "Shab Row." The combined locations
represent the work of 100 craftsmen and she tells me she has a backlog
of orders to fulfill. Both stores are open seven days a week. Her
New Market address is 80 West Main Street. Its phone number is (301)
865 6108. The Shab Row store is at 117 North East Street. The
Frederick phone is 301 620 7501. The website is www.tmpottery.net and
her email is tmpotter@aol.com.

I brought her a sentimental item of mine: a hand-made and painted
ceramic music box from the orginal San Francisco Music Box Company.
It had gotten horribly broken. I had a talented and patient fellow by
the name of Wayne Starkey of Frederick's "Old Towne Jewelers peice it
together. However, it still needs proper painting and when I showed
it to Tameria, she knew exactly what to do. I found her generously
warm, friendly and extremely knowledgeable.

Another fascinating shop is Judy Stuart's "Thirsty Knight Antiques,"
located in a 200 year-old building that was once a boarding home for
travelers. Judy has been in business for 27 years at 7 & 9 East Main
Street in New Market. The phone number is 301 865 5053. Her email is
thirstyknightntq@aol.com.

Ms Stuart carries an abundance of steins from Germany, Austria,and
England as well as other foreign countries. Some are in early
stoneware, glass, and pewter. They're so decorative that you'll find
yourself toasting to just about anything-just to raise your stein.
Steins have grown over the years in value and prominence. Judy's are
from the 1700's and 1800's as well as the particularly sought-after
years of 1870 to 1910. Judy offers free beer stein appraisals in her
shop. She's been affiliated with Stein Collectors International for
over 30 years.

The Thirsty Knight also offers American and European procelain dishes,
pottery, quilts, brass candlesticks, baskets and tools. The furniture
pieces are of the finest woods - American walnut, cherry, pine, and
mahogany. There is an array of dining tables, chairs, stands, drop
leaf tables, cupoboards and chests of drawers. Judy's Thirsty Knight
is an intriguing stop for any antique drinking vessel. "I'll drink
to that!"

New Market is off Maryland's Interstate 70 at Exit 62. Contact their
Town Hall for additional information @ 301 865 5544 or
www.townofnewmarket.org. The little town of New Market is steeped in
the rich heritage of early America, yet its sights are to the future
with an abundance of grace and elegance. This is Eddie Kessler
reporting!