Global Food Processor Eyes Property In North Laurel

NORTH LAUREL, MD — A global pastry and bakery ingredient manufacturer has proposed building a 100,000-square-foot facility on the former Aerolab property along Route 1, including an apple orchard, a retail bakery and a cafe.

PastryStar is eyeing the run-down building at 9580 Washington Boulevard. The property also includes other historically important buildings, but a county report says they're all in disrepair. The 11.42-acre site sits within the corridor employment center/continuing light industrial overlay zoning district.

Preliminary ideas for the property include establishing a trellised apple orchard, so PastryStar could use the fruit in its pastry mixes. There also would be a patio, a bike rack and a pergola with outdoor seating.

Building a retail bakery and cafe would let customers stop by and buy baked goods. PastryStar's lineup includes more than 250 bakery and pastry ingredients that range from fillings and jams to flavors, mixes, ganaches and glazes.

According to PastryStar's website, the company traces its history back to 1865, when the Picou family established its first pastry ingredient manufacturing facility in Saint Denis, France.

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