12-10-2025 4:04am

1884 Train Station

Restaurant With Baltimore County Roots Coming To Old Train Station

A restaurant will open in a former train station. The expansion grows a dining empire with Baltimore County roots.

SYKESVILLE, MD — A restaurant with locations in Perry Hall and Timonium will open an eatery in an old Carroll County train station after receiving the all-clear recently from a preservation group.

Construction on Lib's Grill at the former Sykesville railroad stop is expected to begin in early 2026.

Lib's Grill said this "marks an important step forward in preserving and enhancing one of Sykesville's crown jewels."

"The Station is more than just the home of our restaurant— it is a living piece of history, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a symbol of the spirit and resilience of our town," Lib's Grill said Friday on Facebook.

The eatery is part of the growing Liberatore's restaurant group. Liberatore's opened a new location in Ocean City this September, and sister restaurant Lib's Grill plans to open a Towson location in late March or early April 2026 at 210 W. Pennsylvania Ave.

The Sykesville train station, located at 7618 W. Main St., opened in 1884 along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. It served passengers until 1949.

"For decades, the Liberatore family has been proud to host and feed the tri-county area, and it has long been our vision to make the Station a true destination stop on the rails," Lib's Grill said. "My family and I want to thank everyone for their patience and support."

The renovation will begin with the deconstruction of the existing kitchen addition, the installation of safety upgrades and restoring the structure. Interior modifications will follow.

The opening date has not yet been set.

"The community has expressed excitement and confidence in our ability to reopen this magnificent landmark of ours," Lib's Grill said. "We will not disappoint you. We will open a vibrant and welcoming business we all can be proud to have in our community; you have my word."

The Sykesville Planning Commission approved the site plan in August, and the Maryland Historic Trust's Easement Committee signed off on Nov. 21.

"The MHT easement committee plays a vital role in safeguarding treasures like this, ensuring that while history is protected, adaptive reuse allows these spaces to remain vibrant and meaningful for generations to come," Lib's Grill said. "Their support of this project reflects the balance between preservation and progress that makes Sykesville so special."

Lib's will replace Sykesville Station restaurant, which closed in 2023, The Baltimore Sun reported.

"To our community, thank you for your resolute belief in this aspiration of ours to continue to make the Station a place where history, hospitality, and heart come together," Lib's Grill said. "This hard-won approval is not just about bricks and mortar— it’s about preserving the soul of Sykesville while creating a welcoming space for all."

Liberatore's debuted in Eldersburg in 1988. The Italian restaurant has since added locations in Bel Air, Perry Hall, Timonium and Westminster.

The Timonium location also houses a Liquid Lib's wine bar that opened in 2014.

Lib's Grill launched in 2013. It now serves seafood and steak in Bel Air, Maple Lawn and Perry Hall.

Lib's also offers catering.

The Liberatore family immigrated to the U.S. from Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1974.