Chronicles of E-burg
Eldersburg falls in line with Popular Society
Walter J. Zalis
July 8, 2005

I’m a young guy; I like having a good time. I enjoy going down to Baltimore on a weekly basis to see and be seen at the clubs and bars in the Power Plant Live, Federal Hill, and Canton. On a Thursday or Friday night, I notice that many of these college kids and young professionals at these establishments have two things in common: A fondness of alcohol, and at least a bit of interest in physical fitness. Everyone is vying for attention from 10pm-2am within one of the dozens and dozens of alcohol distributors in the B-more area, and looking good is the best way to do it.

This relationship between the weight room and beer is also a trend found in E-burg. If you’re asking, “how does the little city of Eldersburg share any similarities with a place like Federal Hill??”… you shouldn’t be. It’s not that far out there. Take a look around town. Half the businesses here are either gyms or bars! I may have missed one, but I know of five gyms and four bars, all nearly within eyesight of one another. There’s Merritt Athletic Club, Triangle Fitness, Athens Health Club, Curves, and Bodyshapes for women. There’s Poe’s, Chop House, Buffalo Wings and Beer and Chili’s as well.

Down the road are Owings Mills and Westminster, two areas much larger than Eldersburg. If we were to compare the person to bar ratio between either of these cities and E-town, it’s obvious that Eldersburg would have a higher bar population. I’m not even going into the gym situation. Five in a town that doesn’t even have a mayor speaks for itself.

So is E-town simply full of drunken muscleheads? Of course not. We’ve simply become a part of popular society- what I like to call, the “Hollywood-ization” of E-burg. And those two key ingredients to Hollywood-ization? A six-pack to go with the 6-pack. Good looks and a party to go to. A majority of society wants to look good, be sought after, and have fun. The weights and treadmill provide the looks, and liquor provides the party. It is the definition of pop culture.

Probably the most prevalent trend going today is health. Atkins, South Beach, no carbs, no trans-fat, lots of protein, run now, lift early and so on and so on. Alcohol has now found a way to jump on that bandwagon. How about those Michelob Ultra and Budweiser Select commercials? Work hard to drink heavy! Nice run, you deserve some beer! The link is right in front of everyone’s face, and Eldersburg is unmistakable proof of its thriving message. The link between fitness and liquor also has to do with many of today’s celebrities. Rapper’s like 50 Cent obviously hit the gym, and perform songs like “In Da Club,” a song about drinking and sexual encounters. “The Club,” is more popular than ever because of artists like 50 Cent and Lil’ Jon, as well as the publicized fact that so many young celebs hit the club on a regular basis. The credo of sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll never really left; it simply updated to more sex, more alcohol, and a lot of bass.

Is it surprising to see the little town of Eldersburg become so in vogue and contemporary? I’d say so. It’s a bit difficult to pinpoint the precise reason why so many bars and gyms exist here, other than the fact that its what’s popular today. But then again, that’s what makes E-burg so different. These articles echo the fact that this city is something special- it has some sort of aura. These businesses are established here, and are successful because of the area. Who would have thought this place would be so modern, considering where it was a decade ago. The only things the city is missing are some theme restaurants to give Chili’s some competition.

Imagine what this place will be in another 10 years. Those theme restaurants will come in, probably a new movie theatre, perhaps the mall will be updated even more… it will become a town comparable in population and activity to Owings Mills and Westminster. I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.

Previous Chronicles of E-Burg Columns by Walter Zalis
July 29, 2005 - The Restaurant Customers Guide to Etiquette
July 22, 2005 - Ms. Carol's Denny's Nite Club
July 15, 2005 - Review: The Gyms of E-burg
July 8, 2005 - Eldersburg falls in line with Popular Society
July 1, 2005 - The Challenge of Carrolltown Center
June 23, 2005 - The Streets of E-town: Is there a Drug Problem?
June 17, 2005 - Graduation? Senior Week
June 9, 2005 - Not Your Granny's Town Anymore

Eldersburg.Net E-Mail Newsletter  Register to receive weekly updates about Eldersburg, MD news, contests, giveways, events, coupons, and more. Email:

Eldersburg Area Sponsored Links Maryland Mortgage Services - Home Mortgages, Home Equity Loans, Refinancing, Reverse Mortgages, More from Gold Standard Financial Peke Construction - Sykesville based home improvement services, decks, patios, more SearchCarrollCounty.com - Carroll County, Maryland Business Directory Kent Systems - Carroll County, MD carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, ceramic tile cleaning, and emergency water extraction Advertise Here - Promote your business on Eldersburg's #1 Web Site!

Eldersburg Area Business Cards Display your business card here