Gourmet Coffee Shop to Open in Sykesville

Helene Taylor, mother of four and 12-year Sykesville resident, has decided to realize her dream and bring a bit of her French heritage to her hometown; with her soon-to-be café, The French Twist. 

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The French Twist will be a sit-down café featuring coffee from local micro-roasters. The café will serve a full breakfast and lunch menu including savory and sweet crepes and French pastries.

Born in Viroflay, France, Taylor said that Sykesville offers the perfect district for her café.

 “When I walk in downtown Sykesville, it reminds me a little bit of France. It's a charming town where business owners all know and support each other,” Taylor said. “This town has so much potential and I want to be part of its future.”

Taylor also found that Sykesville holds an interesting bit of French history.

“The land on which Sykesville sits started out as part of a 3,000-acre Springfield Estate, owned by William Patterson. In 1803, Patterson's daughter married Napoléon Bonaparte's brother Jérôme Bonaparte.” Taylor said.  “I thought, ‘What a great way to connect the past with the present.’”

Not only will Taylor be honoring Sykesville’s French history, but the house that the café will be in also has a unique and historic past. 

More than 120 years old, the house served the community as a pharmacy, a shoe repair shop, and an apartment house, among other things.  In 2009, in order to create additional parking, yet still preserve this historic landmark, the house was moved from its original location to where it now resides at 732 Oklahoma Ave.

To see a video of the house on the move click here.

While Taylor hopes to open the café in June, the old house still has a great number of renovations that need to be completed, including the addition of walls, water, electricity and a staircase to the upstairs, she said.  

Taylor said she also hopes to create a drive-through for morning commuters and people who are in a rush at lunchtime. 

Despite the long to-do list however, Taylor's plan is creating a buzz. She was awarded ‘Best Emerging Business’ at the Carroll County Business Awards in November 2012.

“I think that a coffee shop is essential for a small downtown to thrive and I'm proud to be able to bring The French Twist Café to Sykesville.” Taylor said.

To learn updates about the upcoming café, check out the French Twist Facebook page.

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