Calvert County Commissioner Todd Ireland joined the Department of Economic Development for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the grand opening of Sip and Stack on Oct. 27 at 78 Solomons Island Road South.
The event, held at 9:30 a.m., drew local officials and community members to celebrate the arrival of the new café. Sip and Stack, a locally owned spot, specializes in fresh paninis, salads, wraps, pressed juices and house-made refreshers. Owners emphasize quality ingredients and quick service, aiming to foster community ties in the process. The business operates seven days a week, serving meals that blend bold flavors with everyday convenience.
Attendees gathered outside the single-story storefront in Prince Frederick’s central commercial area, where Ireland and department representatives wielded oversized scissors to sever a ceremonial ribbon. The gathering highlighted the county’s commitment to bolstering small enterprises amid steady regional growth. Sip and Stack fills a space previously occupied by EZ Thai Restaurant, signaling a shift toward casual, health-focused dining options in the neighborhood.
The café’s menu features pressed paninis such as the Chicken Cordon Bleu, layered with ham, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard on ciabatta, and the Tuna Melt, combining homemade tuna salad with bacon and multiple cheeses. Salad selections include the Wasabi Salad with mixed greens, edamame and sesame dressing; the Pepper Pop Salad, mixing jalapeños, corn and cotija cheese; and the seasonal Autumn Harvest Salad with roasted butternut squash and goat cheese. Wraps like the Shrimp Salad, stuffed with celery, Old Bay seasoning and lemon aioli, round out lunch choices. Customers can build their own salads starting at $10.80, selecting bases like romaine or kale and add-ins such as grilled chicken or feta. Beverages highlight fresh-pressed juices and refreshers, including strawberry spark and watermelon varieties, designed for a light, invigorating finish.
This opening aligns with broader efforts by the Calvert County Department of Economic Development to nurture startups. The department coordinates ribbon cuttings as a standard welcome for new ventures, providing a platform for visibility and networking. Businesses submit a request form outlining event details, such as date, time and guest list, typically four to six weeks in advance. A downloadable checklist guides preparations, covering invitations to elected officials, media alerts and signage setup. These ceremonies, often lasting 15 to 30 minutes, include brief remarks from leaders like Ireland, who underscore job creation and tax base expansion. In fiscal year 2025, the department facilitated more than 20 such events, contributing to a 5 percent rise in local commercial registrations.
Beyond ceremonies, the department offers free confidential counseling through the Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center, covering business plan development, financial projections and loan applications. Eligible firms access grants from state programs like the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Build Our Future Grant, which supports equipment purchases up to $100,000 for expansions. Calvert’s Economic Development Incentive Fund provides matching funds for relocations or growth projects, prioritizing sectors like food service and retail. These resources have aided over 150 businesses since 2020, helping retain 1,200 jobs in a county where small operations employ 60 percent of the workforce.
Sip and Stack’s debut fits this pattern of incremental vitality. The café occupies a 2,000-square-foot unit in a strip plaza built in the 1990s, near landmarks like the Calvert County Circuit Court and the historic Kings Throne Farm, a preserved 18th-century estate. Early reviews praise the venue’s cozy interior, with wooden counters and communal tables encouraging lingering chats over coffee. One patron noted the Mediterranean wrap’s freshness, crediting it for a satisfying midday boost. Delivery partners like Uber Eats and Grubhub extend reach to nearby communities such as Huntingtown and Dunkirk.
As Prince Frederick’s business landscape adapts, venues like Sip and Stack underscore resilience. With waterfront trails and annual festivals drawing 50,000 visitors, the area sustains a cycle of investment and patronage. The café’s focus on daily-fresh preparations echoes longstanding local values: straightforward fare that nourishes body and bonds.