Buddy McFreed's

07/02/2026

Are you a collector of Bakelite?



https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1EfQUSPVkU/

07/02/2026

06/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1VYaTKRpBa/

With the 250th anniversary of America approaching, the Ellicott City Partnership is taking a moment to reflect on the history of our Main Street. Come celebrate the history of Ellicott City with us by checking out our historical sites such as Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, the Museum of Howard County History, the Patapsco Female Institute, and more!

The Ellicott brothers, John, Andrew, and Joseph, hailing from Bucks County Pennsylvania, purchased land adjacent to the Patapsco River with the intent to build and run grain mills. They convinced local farmers to switch their crops from to***co to grain. Ellicott’s Mills would become one of the largest milling and manufacturing towns in the East and was considered by some as the home of the Industrial Revolution.

Nestled among seven hills along the Patapsco River, the town founded by the Ellicott brothers flourished. In the early 1800s, Main Street became part of the National Road, further solidifying its place in American history. By the mid-1900s, the bustling community boasted all the modern conveniences—grocery, hardware, and department stores, a pharmacy, a gas station, banks, restaurants, and even a funeral home.

Ellicott City has faced its share of challenges. Fires in the 1800s and as recently as 1998 destroyed mills and buildings, while floodwaters have tested the town’s resilience since the 19th century. The most infamous were two “1,000-year” floods in 2016 and 2018. Yet, time and again, the town has risen, adapting to the needs of each new era.

Two and a half centuries since the Ellicott brothers’ dream began, Ellicott City continues to evolve—from horse-drawn carriages to electric cars, from mills to modern small businesses. Today, Old Ellicott City is home to 80+ unique shops, restaurants, and businesses. Thanks to a diverse, determined, and creative community, this historic town remains a delight to visit and a treasure to be part of—a testament to its enduring spirit.

Historic Photo Courtesy of Baltimore Museum of Industry.

https://www.oldellicottcity.org/

05/15/2026

IT'S OFFICIAL! May 15 is the beginning of straw hat season! The season runs until September 15. Baltimore was a leading manufacturer of straw hats which were shipped mainly to New York city. This vintage boater was made in Baltimore during the early 20th Century. So dig out those straw hats and join in this fun tradition!

05/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Gu42T768K/

Our new sign is going up! Come on down and talk a look for yourselves.

05/04/2026

We here at Buddy McFreed’s could not resist: May the Fourth be With you!

04/26/2026

Check out this item we just got in: a ***VINTAGE*** lucite purse!

Did your grandmom or great-aunt Sally have one? Did they use it everyday, or save it for a special occasion? Comment below!

04/26/2026

ANTIQUE DEPOT DEALER PROFILE
Buddy McFreed's
Booth: Third Floor

Located on the top floor of Antique Depot in historic Ellicott City, Maryland, and owned and operated by Stefan M. Freed, Buddy McFreed’s offers a little bit of everything!

True to our original mid-century modern (MCM) aesthetic and vibe, but not limited solely to it, we carry a mélange of eclectic items that we, at BMF’s, think can be categorized by one or more of the following: kitschy, retro, vintage, trippy, wicked, groovy, and hopefully, FUN!

Like the song says, “a little bit of this, a little bit of that” - at Buddy McFreed’s, that’s surely what we think makes life so delicious! Fiesta Ware and other Homer Laughlin patterns, Corning Ware, Pyrex, Tupperware, and other vintage dishware. Avon and many other collectible lines. I Love Lucy. Marilyn Monroe. Elvis. Pop culture & Kitsch galore! Toys, plushies, and dolls for kids, and collectible toys and memorabilia for the kid in YOU. Vintage and vintage-inspired clothing (BMF’s has the distinction of being one of only two vendors in the whole building who carries men’s clothes)! Kidswear for infants & toddlers. Purses, jewelry, and unique accessories. And, of course, our first love: Books!

Buddy McFreed’s is named in memory of our late Scottish Terrier, Buddy Paris Freed-McGovern. Buddy knew how to make the most of each moment of his life, and reveled in the small things. He brought happiness and love into our home, was a constant reminder about what is truly important, and provided inspiration to us in so many aspects of life. As a result, Buddy’s spirit serves as our shop’s symbolic mascot.

The sheer variety of coolness at BMF’s will no doubt delight you as much as it does us! New stuff all the time – who knows what retro treasures you’ll find at Buddy McFreed’s?

04/14/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HkHJLNQQu/

Nominate and vote for your Baltimore-area favorites — things to do, where to eat, cultural spotlights and who to know

04/03/2026

Have you been down to lately? What are you waitin' for? All kinds of new groovy stuff for you to peruse and be delighted by - we'd sure love to see you!