UPDATE: Towson’s New Business Opening Momentum Continued Through Summer 2026

Since this article was published in April, Towson’s list of new businesses has continued to grow—and several locations that were previously announced have officially opened their doors.

Rocco’s Old School Italian & Wine Bar opened in East Towson, bringing classic Italian-American favorites to the former Glory Days Grill space. Lib’s Grill followed in June at 210 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, adding a locally owned, upscale-casual restaurant, raw bar and weekend brunch destination directly across from the courthouse.

Retail growth continued at Towson Place, where Dick’s Sporting Goods opened its new store with the company’s “House of Cleats” concept. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers helped celebrate the grand opening. Shoe Doctor Baltimore also opened on York Road, offering professional sneaker cleaning, restoration and repair services.

More recently, Tarin Thai Cuisine opened at 419 York Road in the former Mr. Fries space, expanding the locally owned restaurant group beyond its Baltimore and Annapolis locations. A new Dunkin’ is now operating at 925 York Road, while Flagship Carwash opened a large new location at 1630 East Joppa Road.

These additions matter because they are not confined to one shopping center or one type of business. Restaurants, national retailers and locally owned service businesses are investing across downtown, East Towson, York Road and the Joppa Road corridor.

Towson still has vacancies and business turnover, but the larger story remains the same: the community is not standing still. New operators continue to see customers, opportunity and long-term value in Towson as a place to grow.

If you believe the headlines and social media chatter, you would think Towson is falling apart. Every time a retailer closes at Towson Town Center or a longtime business leaves, the story quickly becomes another example of how crime, disorder, or “decline” has supposedly ruined all of Towson. The focus is always on the mall and the narrative gets repeated constantly. But when you actually look at the openings across Towson, not just the closures, a very different picture emerges.

According to compiled business openings since the COVID era, Towson has added at least 35 new businesses since 2022, spanning restaurants, retail, grocery, wellness, fitness, and entertainment. That does not describe a town in collapse. It describes a town that is changing.

The first major post-pandemic wave began in 2022. That year Towson welcomed Whole Foods Market at Towson Row, one of the most significant retail additions in decades. Other 2022 openings included Banditos, The Mine by Coppermine, Pure Barre, and Pick Up USA Fitness.

Then came a second wave in 2023. Towson added Raising Cane’s, KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, Baltoz Bakery, The Sassy Skillet, Akira, and The Gourmet at Kenilworth. These openings helped expand Towson’s restaurant scene while also bringing more variety to downtown and surrounding districts.

Momentum continued in 2024, when Towson saw one of its busiest years for new business activity. Openings included Fogo de Chão at Towson Town Center, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Jamba, Roggenart, Ebisu Japanese Market, Caliente, Raising Cane’s , and Removery Tattoo Removal. These additions showed continued confidence in Towson Row, downtown Towson, and the mall corridor.

The trend did not stop there. In 2025, another strong class of openings arrived, including SNAP Custom Pizza and Salads, Playa Bowls, Socialize, 2AM Project, Mucho Gusto, Holy Cow Edible Cookie Dough & Ice Cream, Zataar Mediterranean Cuisine, Pop Mart, and Tous les Jours.

And 2026 is already shaping up to be another expansion year. Confirmed or announced additions include Rocco’s Old School Italian & Wine Bar in East Towson, Lib’s Grill, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Crave, Rosebud Flea, and Dick’s Sporting Goods at Towson Place.

That is an important point: Towson is not simply replacing stores with vacancies. It is attracting recognizable national brands such as Whole Foods, Fogo de Chão, Raising Cane’s, KPOT, BJ’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, while also drawing local and regional entrepreneurs like Rocco’s, Baltoz Bakery, Roggenart, The Sassy Skillet, and Zataar.

Much of Towson’s negative perception comes from the imbalance in coverage. One mall closure often receives far more media attention than five new openings. A chain store exit becomes symbolic, while steady investment goes unnoticed. But towns are measured by net activity, not isolated headlines.

Towson still faces real challenges: public safety concerns, changing retail habits, traffic, and redevelopment growing pains. No serious person should deny that. But it is equally misleading to pretend Towson is dead or abandoned.

The facts show something else entirely. Since 2022, dozens of businesses have opened in Towson, with more on the way. The town is not disappearing, it is evolving.

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