Franklin's New Kinetic Mural Taking Shape

Video, taken by Franklin's employees, shows installation of new sign and kinetic mural elements.

Things are looking up at Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery and General Store, where workers have begun installing elements of a new kinetic mural and sign designed to attract the eye of your northern-bound Rhode Island Avenue traveller.  This video, uploaded to Hyattsville Patch's community photo and video gallery by Franklin's manager Anne Flaherty shows the recognizable Franklin's letterhead logo being hoisted into place at the top of the sculpture.  According to the Hyattsville Wire, the finished peice will measure 40 feet wide by 14 feet tall.  I can't wait to see how it comes together. 

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Franklin's Fetes 10 Years in Restaurant Biz

Iconic downtown Hyattsville establishment celebrates a decade of restaurant prowess.

The 10th anniversary of the sheet-metal clad restaurant wing of Franklin's restaurant, brewery and general store brought hundreds of customers inside for special treats and a behind the scenes peek at the beer-making process.  Franklin's first opened nearly 20 years ago as a deli and general store. With a cache of good sandwiches, quirky gifts and an extensive stock of wine and hot sauce, the establishment quickly became popular in a downtown Hyattsville long bereft of exciting food choices.  Mike Franklin, owner of the self-titled restaurant, brewery and general store, said the idea to expand from a deli and general store to a full service restuarant and brewery goes back at least 15 years. Five years later, in 2002, the restaurant opened…

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Michael Theis

11:40 am on Monday, February 27, 2012

Franklin's became a part of my family's Sunday ritual the minute it opened back in 1992. We went there after church...well...religiously. I even have faint memories of my mom having her vacuum cleaner serviced at the old hardware store which used to be there. I actually miss the deli quite a bit. They had a few sandwiches which I've never been able to replicate.   more ›

Do You Have to Pay to Park at Franklin's?

There used to be old standard meters at this lot, but those have been traded in for a multi-spaced pay station.

For the past five years, I’ve parked at the city lot adjacent to Franklin’s Restaurant on Baltimore Avenue. I’ve never paid to park there, despite the parking meter station at the front of the lot. So, do you actually have to pay to park by Franklin’s? The answer is yes, at least if you don’t want to be ticketed. There used to be old standard meters at this lot, but those have been traded in for a multi-spaced pay station. You can pay with cash or credit card.

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Police Department Asks for Additional Money for Parking Meters

New multi-space meters are a greater cost to maintain than the older models.

The Hyattsville Police Department is requesting a 34 percent increase for parking enforcement expenses in its FY 2012 budget. Chief Douglas Holland, who presented a budget summary to the City Council on March 28, said a big reason for the $53,737 increase is rising lease agreements at parking lots in the city, but he also said expenses associated with parking meter collection in 2011 may have been underestimated. This is the first full year in which the city is using new, multi-spaced meters that accept credit card payments. PayPal is used to collect these payments, and there are fees associated with the service. Assistant City Administrator Vincent Jones estimated the fees to be about $1,800 per year, a very small expense compared to the …

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Franklin's Expanding Bar Area

The trendy Hyattsville restaurant will make more room for its customers on the upper level.

Not many businesses are growing during this economic recession. But one Hyattsville establishment is. "It's the only place of its kind in the area," said Brad Ritter, Hyattsville resident and regular at Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery & General Store. "Decent food, great beer and a laid back atmosphere." Franklin's will begin expansion of the bar area at the end of this month as a result of its growing popularity. "We grew about 12 percent this year even in this mini-recession," said Justin MacFee, who has been a bartender at Franklin's for eight years. The bar, which currently seats 25 and has limited standing room, will grow by at least 30 seats. Square footage will be added to the second floor – a loft-like level that currently extends …

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Editor's Notebook

Week In Review

Hyattsville Patch recounts a week of history, making history and the memories that surround everyday activities.

We began the week with a video of the Hyattsville Cyclocross, a local bike race. The cyclocross took place for the second time in as many years on Oct. 10 at Magruder Park. Cyclocross races take place on courses of many different types of terrain including grass, wood, gravel, and dirt. Check out highlights of last Sunday's action here. On Tuesday, videographer Jessica Wilson brought Hyattsville Patch several shots of fresh brew from Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery and General Store. Brewer Mike Roy talked about how the house beers are made, on site, at this local Hyattsville eatery.  Roy also told us about the palette of the community and gives us just a taste of what's on tap. Patch began its new feature "Then and Now" with a photo of the…

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What's Brewing At Franklin's

Meet brewer, Mike Roy.

Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery and General Store's Brewer Mike Roy tells about how the house beers are made, on site, at this local Hyattsville eatery.  Roy also tells us about the palette of the community and gives us just a taste of what's on tap.

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