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Mark's to kick in "Monday Money"
for the community center
Mark’s Kitchen has agreed to be an ongoing sponsor of
the Takoma Foundation’s drive to raise money for furnishing
Takoma Park’s new community center, due to open for programs
in about a year.
As of April 26, Mark’s Kitchen, an Old Town Takoma restaurant
popular for vegetarian and Korean specialties, will donate
20 percent of its receipts from the fourth Monday of every
month to the Takoma Foundation’s fundraising campaign.
The next date is May 24.
"We hope old and new customers alike will make it a
point to stop in and enjoy their favorite foods at Mark’s,"
said Mary Stover, Foundation co-president. "You’ll
be contributing to game tables, art equipment, computers and
other furnishings for the community center."
Mark Choe, owner of the restaurant, has been donating to
local organizations for many years, but he sees the new community
center as an especially compelling opportunity.
"After hearing of the Foundation’s efforts I thought
about how I could help. I’ve been here for 17 years and
want to give back," he explained.
According to Stover, contributions from local businesses
are an important part of the foundation’s fundraising
plan. "Mark’s generous offer is a wonderful example
of how Takoma businesses and the Foundation can work together,"
she said.
The Foundation hopes to raise $300,000 for the community
center. "That’s a lot of money," Stover noted,
"but with the support of the entire community, we’ll
get there. She added that other local businesses, including
Savory, which is hosting the Foundation’s May 16 silent
auction, have also contributed to the drive.
Mark’s Kitchen is located at 7006 Carroll Ave. and
is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday.
For information about the Takoma Foundation and the fundraising
campaign, visit takomafoundation.org.
Paving the way for our Main Street
Whether you stroll down the quaint streets of our historic
district, shop at one of our locally run stores or grab some
some grub at the CO-OP, Takoma Park is captivating with its
culturally rich, small-town charm.
Preserving this quirky grace was at the heart of applying
for the Main Street Maryland program. The Main Street Maryland
selection is a stringent and competitive process in which
a community must demonstate a commitment to the success of
their downtown. The application process involved countless
hours of volunteer time from members of our community, City
Staff, and the Old Takoma Business Association membership.
The devotion to a vision for a vibrant downtown paid off.
On April 30, Takoma Park became one of 16 privileged communities
in Maryland to be awarded Main Street designation.
The Main Street Maryland program was created in 1998 as a
comprehensive downtown revitalization program. It strives
to strengthen the economic potential of Maryland’s traditional
main streets and neighborhoods by helping the selected communities
improve the economy, appearance and image of their traditional
downtown business districts. "This is going to help keep
our town a cool and funky place to live, as well as support
the local business owners who help make Takoma Park unique,"
said Mary Faltinsky, a resident of Takoma Park.
The Old Takoma Business Association will formally present
the Main Street Maryland award plaque to the Mayor on May
16th at the Wine-tasting and Silent Auction fundraiser it
is sponsoring along with the Takoma Foundation. Information
about events and sign-up forms for committees will be available
on OTBA’s website later this month at www.takomaonline.com.
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