Corner Stable Aims to Occupy Old Michael’s Pub Location

The Corner Stable, a restaurant specializing in ribs and crab cakes, is looking to occupy the vacated Kings Contrivance neighborhood fixture previously occupied by Michael’s Pub.

after 25 years in the neighborhood, citing the economy and a huge space—and not enough people to fill it—for its closing.

Advocates for village center said they are thrilled action is moving forward for Corner Stable, which will have its liquor license reviewed at a Howard County liquor board meeting on Tuesday, July 26, at 5 p.m. at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.

As of Tuesday, the restaurant has not yet signed a lease with Kimco Realty Corporation, the owner of the space, said village board chair Barb Seely.

“We’re very excited over the possibility of a new tenant in the Michael’s Pub location, which will bring new vitality to the village center,” Seely said. “Michael’s—they’d been there since the beginning. … Watching them leave was very difficult for all of us.”

Chip Reed, who owns the Corner Stable restaurant in Cockeysville with his wife, Randy, said the new Columbia restaurant would be a second location.

It would be 6,000 square feet and seat about 170 people. He also said he’s looking to hire between 70 and 90 people to staff the new location, which he has plans to renovate, installing new tables, booths, a new bar, renovated bathrooms, floor and ceilings.

“It’s going to be a major investment, but one we think will pay off,” he said.

Reed, who noted his wife’s family grew up in Kings Contrivance, said he’d been looking for a spot to add a restaurant location in Columbia for four years. He and his wife have owned the Cockeysville restaurant for nine years after purchasing it from its original owners.

“Columbia is restaurant poor. They need more restaurants,” he said Tuesday. “We’re excited and think we’ll do well. We’re looking forward to coming to Columbia. We think it’s the right place at the right time.”

The restaurant’s general manager would be Bryan Hiller, who attended , Reed said.

Howard County councilwoman Jennifer Terrasa, who represents the area that includes Kings Contrivance, applauded the restaurant owners’ ties to the community.

She also said getting someone in the old Michael’s location would continue the “revitalization” of Kings Contrivance, which suffered due to a grocery store vacancy in past years, but has rebounded with the recent opening of Harris Teeter and Rita’s Ice.

“They are fabulous,” she said of Corner Stable. “They are family owned. They are connected. … What a great fit.”