Elkridge Edible Arrangements First to Offer Fruit to Go

Cathy Schneider first got into the fruit-bouqet business when she opened the six years ago.

The franchise, which has 1,000 Edible Arrangements stores worldwide, specializes in creating bouqets of chocolate-dipped fruit.

"Sometimes people come in and want to get something for themselves too," said Schneider.

To meet that need, her , which opened Feb. 7, was the first Edible Arrangements in Maryland to offer "Edible to Go" options: smoothies, fruit salads and fruit parfaits.

Owings Mills, which opened after Elkridge, is the only other location in the state offering these items, said Schneider.

Howard County leaders joined Schneider in celebrating her newest store and its first-in-market offerings on April 14. County Executive Ken Ulman, State Delegate Guy Guzzone, Councilman Calvin Ball and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce helped cut the ceremonial ribbon for the  in Meadowridge Plaza.

"I was looking to open a business in my county," said Schneider, who lives with her two children and husband in Columbia, in an interview with Patch.

On top of living and working locally, Schneider said she buys products for her business in Howard County too; she purchases fruit from Coastal Sunbelt Produce, headquartered in Savage.

"It's 100 percent no preservatives," said Schneider. "Everything is natural and fresh."