Adam's Ribs Gets Bigger, Better With Expansion

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By John Singleton
Adam’s Ribs recently completed renovations increasing the seating capacity at the popular local eatery by 44 chairs, and the overall number of tables from 19 to 27. Additionally, they have boosted the number of micro-brews on tap to 12. Judging by the standing-room-only waiting area and packed dining room the night I visited, it’s obvious Severna Park clearly approves.
“We’re entering a new and exciting phase in the history of Adam’s Ribs,” explained owner Joe Lefavor. “With our redesign we’re more like a neighborhood gathering place than ever before. It’s cozy and comfortable - and we’re planning to boost our selection of craft-brews on tap to 18 by summer.”

Perhaps nothing defines the property more than the restaurant’s name itself, which stands proudly at the epicenter of Severna Park on B&A Boulevard. The property, which is still owned by the Dawson family, has been centrally located at the hub of Severna Park for years. In 1950 Cliff Dawson purchased what was then a gas station and barber shop located at 589 Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and in 1952 he opened Dawson’s Country Store.
Decades later the property was home to four businesses, which occupied the single building for many years - Dawson’s Liquor Store, Adam’s Ribs, Domino’s Pizza and Severna Park Flowers. Adam’s Ribs has been located there since March 1987 and following the departure of Severna Park Flowers, LeFavor was contacted about the available space.
“When Cliff Dawson’s son-in-law Gene and his daughter Mitzi Routt called me in 2008 and told me the flower shop was moving I told them I was interested in the space,” recalled Lefavor, who resides in Crownsville.
After a 16 month county permitting process, the restaurant broke ground on its long-awaited renovation in July 2010 and the project was completed in December 2010. The centerpiece of the renovation is the handmade wood-top, u-shaped bar, crafted in an intricate tongue-and-groove maple with a walnut trim. Owners Bill Bagdasian, Lefavor and furniture-maker Greg Wheet built the bar by hand on site during the construction process. The bar is accented by rope lighting in the ceiling and in both the interior and exterior of the bar top.
Lefavor credits the ongoing success of Adam’s Ribs North to a staff that has remained intact for decades. Manager Ryan Mansur, who has been with the company for 23 years and manager Lisa Dring, who will be celebrating her 20th anniversary in September, are two prime examples. The family atmosphere at Adam’s is amplified by the presence of Lefavor’s daughter Laura, who is a sophomore at UMBC and works weekends. His son Nick, a sophomore at Old Mill, also plans to work at the restaurant this summer. Joe and his wife Jane have an older son Matt, who is studying Computer Science at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
As for the former tenants who had previously occupied space at Dawson’s corner, Severna Flowers and Gifts moved across the parking lot next to Admiral’s Cleaners, just around the corner from Garry’s Grill.
As a part of the property redesign, Dawson’s Liquors acquired an additional 500 square-feet of space and owner Ed Polk expects his expansion to be finished by June 2011, pending county permitting approvals.
“We’ll probably move our beer and wine tasting events to the new section of the store,” summarized Polk, who has managed the store for the last 25 years. “We’re currently working with an architect and a builder to create a new space that is pleasing to our customers.”

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