The College Park spot since 1978

Lexi Vinick April 4 2017

COLLEGE PARK, Md.- RJ Bentleys Filling Station remains a go to spot

for both students and alumni of University of Maryland even after 39

years. RJ Bentleys Restaurant is located on Baltimore Avenue in

College Park. It has constantly brought in customers since 1978 despite

their lack of changes to the building.

College Park contains a series of different bars and restaurants that

surround the campus. For many years, establishments have closed

down and reopened with different names and owners. However, RJ

Bentleys has managed to stay alive and carries the title of the oldest

restaurant in the area.

The building was not always a restaurant and bar that welcomed

customers. Instead, it was originally a gas station known as the College

Park Auto Place in the 1920s.

College Park Auto Place combined with a Hudson dealership in 1956,

where it provided service and highway assistance along Route 1. This

lasted until 1978 when Maryland graduate, John Brown, made the

location a popular dining spot.

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John Brown turned the building into a welcoming roadhouse to gather

people in

the community, students and parents for a good time. He decorated

the original

location with a variety of Maryland athletic supplements along with

antique automobile accessories.

After several years, the dcor remains relatively the same, but now

includes updated sports players and newspaper clippings.

 Jerseys of former UMD sports player are framed
throughout the restaurant. (Amanda Murray)

-MORE-

Joe Reilly, an alumnus of Maryland who graduated in 1996, used to

love the athletic atmosphere of RJ Bentleys. Reilly explained that all

famous alumni and even NFL players would come to this restaurant

when they were in College Park.

I always saw Boomer Esiason, who was the quarterback for the

football team, said Reilly. Bents was the place to go in Maryland.

 The appreciation of

Maryland athletics in this

particular spot continues to

bring in Maryland sports players today.

Cailee McCarthy, a

sophomore at University of

Maryland, met Damonte Dodd when

she was eating at Bentleys.

McCarthy and Damonte Dodd inside RJ

Bentleys. (Cailee McCarthy)

It was really cool to see a starter for the basketball team randomly at

the restaurant. He was so friendly and agreed to take a picture with

me, said McCarthy.

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RJ Bentleys has also managed to keep a great reputation for their

great deals on drinks and food.

 Joe Leuzzi, a junior at University of Maryland, started coming to

Bentleys as soon as he arrived at school. Leuzzi learned about the

spot after visiting a friend the year before, who had told him how

popular it was.

Me and my friend always come on Wednesdays for half off burgers,

said Leuzzi. Happy hour is great too for half off all appetizers with a

few drink specials.

Numerous students come to Bentleys

during happy hour to participate in

these deals. Ginny Sangster, a junior at

Maryland, actually comes for the

buildings entities.

Bentleys recently made an outdoor

area that my friends and I love when

its warm outside, said Sangster.

Sangster and friends enjoying

the outdoor area of Bentleys -MORE-
on a sunny day. (Ginny
Sangster) Despite its favorable qualities, the building of

Bentleys has also faced some difficulties throughout its existence. On

Sept. 19, 2003, the food establishment was temporarily closed for
health violations. According the report, the place lacked power and

refrigeration.

After successfully fixing this problem, the restaurant also faced a

kitchen fire in 2005. The fire severed their roof and led to a temporary

closure.

Bentleys was always able to get back on their feet and reopen to cater

to their range of customers. Nada Reilly, an alumna who graduated in

1996, emphasized that Bentleys will always be the place that she goes

to.

Although its not as nice as it used to be, the fact that it has been

around for so many years means so much to all students, said Reilly.

I used to always bring my parents there and I hope my children do the

same if they choose to attend Maryland.

Bentleys traditional structure and service has attracted students and

visitors for several years. It continues to prosper and strives to

continue its reputation for the future.

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