From MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services LLC:
MacKenzie Retail, LLC is proud to announce that popular, Hampden-based restaurant, Alchemy, will be opening a second location, Alchemy Elements, at Bel Air Town Center in Harford County. This new location represents a growing interest among local concepts desiring to expand to suburban markets traditionally dominated by national chain restaurants. Alchemy will move into the vacant 3,070 square foot space formerly occupied by the Open Door Café.
“Bringing a local concept such as Alchemy to Bel Air is a testament to the county’s support of small, independently-owned businesses,” said MacKenzie Associate, Laura Williams. “Alchemy offers patrons a sought-after experience of fine-casual dining and is a welcomed addition to Bel Air Town Center.” Williams, along with Executive Vice President Tom Fidler, Jr. assisted with the transaction.
Since opening Alchemy in Hampden, husband and wife duo and Harford County natives, Sommelier Debi Bell-Matassa and Chef Michael Matassa have longed for an additional location, in Bel Air. Building on the thriving success of the restaurant, Bel Air’s location will feature a similarly creative and flavorful infused menu, in addition to a newly crafted upscale, lite fare mix. This is what excites Chef Michael the most, a menu option he has not yet been able to execute at Alchemy’s smaller layout in Hampden. Chef Michael was recently named Maryland’s 2015 Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland, an award that recognizes standards of excellence, inspirations to others, dedication to the artistry of food, and ongoing commitment to their communities.
“We are beyond thrilled to fulfill our dreams of having more than one venue and what better place than our home town,” stated Sommelier Debi. “Originally planning to open in Harford County, our search took us to Baltimore for which we are forever grateful. We look forward to bringing the county our art for creating wonderful meals and experiences. We are excited to be home, too.”
Located in the heart of Bel Air in Harford County and owned by McGill Development Limited Partnership No.3, Bel Air Town Center features some of the strongest demographics in the area. The 90,000 square foot (sf) retail center, comprised of two strip centers and three pad-sites, stands at the Northbound crossroads of Route 1 (Baltimore Pike) and Route 24 (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway). Alchemy joins regional favorites Liberatore’s, Woodlea Bakery and CR Wings, along with national chains Chili’s, Taco Bell, Subway and T-Mobile.
For more information on Alchemy, please visit www.alchemyon36.com. For leasing inquires contact Laura Williams of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services by email at lwilliams@mackenziecommercial.com or by phone at (410) 494-4864.
Harford Resident says
Hopefully the prices will be a bit cheaper than what their menu shows for the Baltimore location, given that they won’t have to pay in-city rents. Menu looks appealing but we loved Open Door Café so this new place has a pretty high bar to reach to meet that standard, in our opinion.
Deborah Lee says
If you want good, quality restaurants in Bel Air, be prepared to pay for quality. If you want cheap, go to one of the thousands of chain or fast food establishments already available.
Harford Resident says
We want value which is a balance between price and quality. Innovative chefs understand the community demographics and how to achieve that.
exotic and expensive says
There is a difference between quality and exotic. Quality is the best crab cake around at the Box Hill Pizzeria – and it doesn’t cost $75 because of a few sprigs of garnish and colored vanilla extract around the edge of the plate.
But I say welcome to all. If someone can afford edible 24-carat gold flakes, sweet potatoes topped with caviar and fresh squab to be swilled down with some 1978 Montrachet.. okay. But that doesn’t necessarily define quality. It is exotic and expensive.
DLW says
I’m proud to call Michael Matassa a friend.
Wishing him the best of luck in his new venture!
Brian says
I have no idea if this place is any good or not but I am excited about the idea of such a place opening up here. The more local independent places like this the better. If it is good I am willing to pay and try to keep the money in the community.
Pavel314 says
When I go to Alchemy, I’ll take a pocket full of lead sinkers.
bob chance says
mike matassa is one of the most conscientious,innovative chefs to locate in Bel Air. Mike is a native who has decades of success on his resume..
Food Fan says
Your point being? Just because someone is touted highly, and congrats to him on his lengthy awards, but just because someone has “decades of success” does not necessarily mean that they will thrive in Bel Air.
The location they are going to is a bit overrun and outdated. Parking is rather dismal, and he will be competing with lasting locations such as Liberatores and Chili’s (you can say what you want, but the line at Chili’s is never ending).
He may have a hit the first few months for “being new”, however I expect that shine to fade away similar to many establishments in that area over the past few years.
This will certainly be one of those “clique” places where snobby socialites, driving BMWs, feel a sense of elitism when they go there. The people here who have posted that they are friends with Michael will be even worse, touting around town and hassling the wait-staff when they don’t get the “owner’s friends discount” on their 4-carat gold flakes, sweet potatoes topped with caviar and fresh squab while swilling down ’78 Montrachet.
You know the type, “Excuse me, but I am friends with the owner…”, or “Is Michael here? We went to high school together.”
Best of Luck in the new endeavor.
Mike M. says
I’ll just be glad to walk into a restaurant on a Friday evening in Bel Air and not have to look at hordes of overweight, unhealthy looking locals waddling out, wearing XXXXL t-shirts with stupid puns on them, who have just over-gorged themselves on several pounds of cheese fries, bloomin onions, deep-fried somethings and all ilks of fat-laden beef and pork. Is that too much to ask? AM I wrong to say that?
Harford Resident says
And you know for a fact that those “hordes of overweight, unhealthy looking locals waddling out, wearing XXXXL t-shirts with stupid puns on them” won’t patronize Alchemy? But whose being judgemental?
Food Fan says
Seems your ego is a bit XXXXL, eh?
If you don’t like what you see, don’t eat there anymore. Go to Alchemy in Hampden where people are fit as a fiddle, wear skinny jeans with flip flops and people leave hungry after eating a leaf of lettuce in a red wine reduction with a sliver of goat fat for $120.
But hey, nobody judges you when you stare and make generalizations about the health and lifestyles of others.
The Money Tree says
Support your locally owned and operated eating establishments. We have enough safe and bland chains around here. Tried the India Garden last weekend and it’s locally owned and the food was great, reasonably priced and if you like authentic Indian food w/ the best iced tea I think I’ve ever had (asked about it and it was steeped with cinnamon, cloves and believe it or not a bay leaf) please support them and go enjoy a really outstanding meal. So disappointing that it was nearly empty – these people are doing an outstanding job. A place like that should be packed on the weekends.
Food Fan says
Really? Because Mike seems to think that every establishment is full of “hordes of overweight, unhealthy looking locals waddling out, wearing XXXXL t-shirts with stupid puns on them, who have just over-gorged themselves on several pounds of cheese fries, bloomin onions, deep-fried somethings and all ilks of fat-laden beef and pork”
I am sure he just gets the salad at Outback.
Mike Hunt says
Mike M. is just another neck beard, bible humping intolerant white male.
The virus of the world is white males.
Kelly says
Jeez folks, do you read what you post? Negative much? Happy for you Mike!