So what about that old Riverdale Restaurant?
You asked, Patch answers...
Linda J. Anderkin wants to know what will be built on the site of the long-gone Riverdale Restaurant, located at 143 Inverness Road alongside the Magothy River. The long and short answer is that the restaurant site's future remains uncertain almost seven years to the day after a three-alarm fire destroyed the popular Severna Park seafood eatery.
At one point the property's developer, Chuck Converse of Converse Builders and Developers Inc. of Severna Park, was exploring options to build townhomes on the site. When issues with permits arose, Converse rethought the project. The plan going forward is for a mixed-use structure that better suits the commercial zoning.
"It will feature office space on the first floor and two to three residences above," said Converse. "Right now we're basically waiting out the economy."
Charles Vane's parents, Allen and Margaret Vane, were the original owners and operators, dating back to 1952. They sold in 1961. Subsequently their son and daughter-in-law Delores bought the property in 1980 and ran the establishment until their retirement in 2003.
The former restaurant's address is in the Severna Park zip code.
What do you want to know about?
Tell us in the comments.
Paul Spadaro
9:11 am on Saturday, January 1, 2011
I would like to see it turned back into a restaurant. The river conditions continue to decline and the more people who are able to see the river and use the river, the more inclined people will be to help improve the river. Access to the river whether sitting on a dock, on the deck of a restaurant or on a beach leads to awareness of the present conditions of the river. -- Paul
Leslie Hunt
9:20 am on Saturday, January 1, 2011
I'll second that idea Paul. We frequently enjoyed dinner at the old Riverdale Restaurant, the view was fabulous (and so was the fried eggplant). Boaters would have a place to stop for a bite to eat and then head back out to enjoy the river.
Sharon Calcaterra
11:23 am on Saturday, January 1, 2011
I also agree with everything that Paul and Leslie has said. What would it take to get more responses and see what the general consensus is?
Leslie Hunt
4:47 pm on Saturday, January 1, 2011
Have your friends and associates visit Patch and leave a comment, that may start a conversation about Riverdale Restaurant. I'm sure many Old Timers in SP remember Riverdale. Thanks Sharon!
Dan Fielder
10:57 am on Monday, January 3, 2011
Back before it was a nice restaurant, it was Riverdale Town Hall-a local tavern. My dad (now 75) used to bartend there in his early twenties. As a youngster, I used to go there and swim from the dock, with my cousins-whose grandmother bought the place and turned it into a nice restaurant. I requested (and received) my 6th-grade graduation dinner there (1973)...still remember the seafood platter I devoured. Just another sad Severna Park casualty.....
Leslie Hunt
5:23 pm on Monday, January 3, 2011
Yes, it was a place of many fond memories for so many people. It would be great to have another restaurant like the Riverdale to enjoy and the next generation to experience. I also remember that seafood platter..!
David Stein
8:08 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I have grown up in Severna Park ... my mother and father would frequent Riverdale Restaurant before and after i was born. Now I'm in my mid 30's and own a house on Riverdale Rd. I would love to see a community dock. A restaurant would be nice also... as someone that lives in the community I would love a place to keep my boat.
Leslie Hunt
10:34 am on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Hi David,
Take a walk down there when you get a chance- I hear there is a building permit posted for possible offices/condo.
Jennifer Whitlock
1:16 pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2011
I, too, have so many fond memories of this restaurant. I would love to have a "Riverdale 2" in this location so my kids could enjoy some of the fun times that my family had in that area.
Patricia Worthman Hafner Fitzkee
9:38 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
I was a teen in the 50's when Charlie and Margaret Vane operated Town Hall. I was part of a group of kids that were allowed to hang out there at a big corner table. We danced and talked and had a wonderful time and even though it was a place where alcohol was served none of us ever got into alcohol. In fact, I never touched a drink until I was 21!! I was very sorry to hear of the fire that destroyed a place that holds some my fondest memories .