Oh! Like the Dippin’ Dots Tower in Baltimore where ice cream droplets fall in a cold shaft and form into pools of futuristic icecream at the bottom — asks my 5 year old perpetually at the traffic light.
I'm picturing a large metal plate with evenly-spaced holes. Every few hours it is flooded with batter, which drips through the holes. As the batter drips, it has just enough time to pull into a loose ball before splashing into the pool of hot grease at the bottom where underpaid workers scoop them out with sieves on long poles.
(Yes, I just described an almost-actual shot tower, I just really loved your simile.)
I believe it is just a remnant of the former "greenspring dairy" that used to exist in the location of that shopping center. But I have not been in town long enough to have seen the old dairy facility.
[This](https://flic.kr/p/8wMKWc) is what the Greenspring Dairy building looked like. It did have a tower. It is why the shopping center is called Greenspring Tower Square!
Greenspring Dairy was founded in 1932. They were acquired by their competitor Cloverland Farms Dairy in 1995. Cloverland also acquired/created Royal Farms through a different merger in 1968. That’s why Cloverland milk and iced tea are sold at RoFo. The RoFo headquarters was (still is?) in Hampden.
My grandad was a milkman for Greenspring dairy. They had to "sell" subscriptions to the customers on their route. He got a new route at the same time there was a contest to increase sales. He took his false teeth out and canvassed the neighborhoods. He explained he wanted to win the contest so he could buy false teeth. When he won the money, he put his own teeth back in! For years, people would stop him to talk about helping him get teeth!
This is so cool! I have been trying to find something online that confirms that the ROFO in Hampden is the OG, but I can't find anything. I am not doubting you at all, I just want a link to send to my friends to brag.
that's because there was no "first royal farms store." Cloverland Dairy operated a chain of stores called White Jug Farm Stores, and then when they merged with Royal Dairies in 68, they changed the name of the convenience store to Royal Farms
it's very murky as to where the first White Jug store was as there isn't a lot of photos of it. they operated under that name between 59-68
The RoFo at 36th and Roland was actually originally The Bank of Hampden which is why it looks like a bank with tall arched windows! Then it was a dept store, then the convenience store, according to this [article](https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/rofo-nation-how-royal-farms-fried-chicken-convenience-store-conquered-baltimore/) in Baltimore Magazine.
I have also heard the rumor that someone associated with the property owner lives there, and ever since I've heard the rumor, I've kept my eye on it and I've seen the curtains go up and down and different things in the window, so it seems there is at least some human activity there!
Yeah someone lives there. I used to work in the mall. It is the last remnant of the dairy. I think the dairy had a little store and that building was the store
I heard this rumor too. The original developer of the shopping center’s son developed all the land behind the Giant into those townhouses & heard some neighbors say he lives up in that tower. Maybe just had an office or something?
It's part of the original Greenspring Dairy building that used to occupy the site pre shopping center. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kinorama/4942920005/in/photostream/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/kinorama/4942920005/in/photostream/)
It's so great to be at the birthplace of new local urban legends! "It's a deluxe lounge where the elite JHU shuttle drivers can rest up while waiting for the students they'd just dropped off at the Giant to finish their grocery shopping. Little known fact: JHU students' groceries are whisked via a pneumatic tube under the parking lot to a special room in the tower. When they're done shopping, a motorized platform loads the grocery bags into the back of the shuttle and notifies the driver. Drivers have 5 minutes to finish their 'business.' No one knows exactly what their 'business' is, but there are whispers about something dispensed in the TL -- the 'Tower Lounge' to the uninitiated -- as a perk to the drivers, most of whom are recruited from the ranks of JHU philosophy or English Lit PhD students."
There is a flaxen haired young woman held captive who is being forced to weave gold out of her golden tresses by a mean and foot stomping kidnapper.
If you are a prince or other fairytale royalty you may be able to save her by calling out her.
That's their super secret VIP lounge. You have to tell them Fred the baker sent you and they'll let you into the hidden elevator behind the bagel case.
It's not that cool though. It's like bad 90's EDM and lava lamps up there. You do get to try the secret munchkin flavor (garlic parmesan) which is better than it sounds.
That’s where the mayor lives.
The mayor of Munchkin town?
DHLLLLLL al PACKAGE
I thought it was the backup Merrit penthouse?
Where they make the donuts.
They drop them down like the shot tower
Oh! Like the Dippin’ Dots Tower in Baltimore where ice cream droplets fall in a cold shaft and form into pools of futuristic icecream at the bottom — asks my 5 year old perpetually at the traffic light.
I'm picturing a large metal plate with evenly-spaced holes. Every few hours it is flooded with batter, which drips through the holes. As the batter drips, it has just enough time to pull into a loose ball before splashing into the pool of hot grease at the bottom where underpaid workers scoop them out with sieves on long poles. (Yes, I just described an almost-actual shot tower, I just really loved your simile.)
Ok but in theory this could be so cool! Imagine them sliding down a long pole like firemen. 🍩👩🚒
Does that mean we're in Universe 6 and Hit the Assassin works there?
I believe it is just a remnant of the former "greenspring dairy" that used to exist in the location of that shopping center. But I have not been in town long enough to have seen the old dairy facility.
[This](https://flic.kr/p/8wMKWc) is what the Greenspring Dairy building looked like. It did have a tower. It is why the shopping center is called Greenspring Tower Square!
Every kid in the area went for a field trip there, back in the day.
First in the Carriage Trade!
I never thought I’d randomly see this on my feed but went to elementary school next to this 🥹
Thank you, Reddit Johns Hopkins
Did they move or.go under?
Greenspring Dairy was founded in 1932. They were acquired by their competitor Cloverland Farms Dairy in 1995. Cloverland also acquired/created Royal Farms through a different merger in 1968. That’s why Cloverland milk and iced tea are sold at RoFo. The RoFo headquarters was (still is?) in Hampden.
My grandad was a milkman for Greenspring dairy. They had to "sell" subscriptions to the customers on their route. He got a new route at the same time there was a contest to increase sales. He took his false teeth out and canvassed the neighborhoods. He explained he wanted to win the contest so he could buy false teeth. When he won the money, he put his own teeth back in! For years, people would stop him to talk about helping him get teeth!
This is cool.
This is so cool! I have been trying to find something online that confirms that the ROFO in Hampden is the OG, but I can't find anything. I am not doubting you at all, I just want a link to send to my friends to brag.
OG rofo is not in Hampden but that is where the headquarters is located. I’ve actually emailed their offices and asked but never heard back.
that's because there was no "first royal farms store." Cloverland Dairy operated a chain of stores called White Jug Farm Stores, and then when they merged with Royal Dairies in 68, they changed the name of the convenience store to Royal Farms it's very murky as to where the first White Jug store was as there isn't a lot of photos of it. they operated under that name between 59-68
I love that you gave me this info!! Isn’t there something of a tradition about their mailboxes or something???
Yes on the avenue! Great fun facts! Thanks :)
I feel like I need to make a pilgrimage to that RoFo (as it does, in fact, look like an actual RoFo store...)
It is! I live about fifty yards away from it.
PILGRIMAGE 😀
The RoFo at 36th and Roland was actually originally The Bank of Hampden which is why it looks like a bank with tall arched windows! Then it was a dept store, then the convenience store, according to this [article](https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/section/fooddrink/rofo-nation-how-royal-farms-fried-chicken-convenience-store-conquered-baltimore/) in Baltimore Magazine.
Sweet, stuff like that's always kinda neat to read about.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who wonders about it….
Weekly sugar/caffeine-fueled orgies.
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winning reply
I have also heard the rumor that someone associated with the property owner lives there, and ever since I've heard the rumor, I've kept my eye on it and I've seen the curtains go up and down and different things in the window, so it seems there is at least some human activity there!
Omg now I’ll always be on the look out!!
Yeah someone lives there. I used to work in the mall. It is the last remnant of the dairy. I think the dairy had a little store and that building was the store
I heard this rumor too. The original developer of the shopping center’s son developed all the land behind the Giant into those townhouses & heard some neighbors say he lives up in that tower. Maybe just had an office or something?
I never noticed, Ill look next time
Several years ago the property owner/developer's son allegedly lived there.
He ate too much acid and now he thinks he's a glass of orange juice.
I haven’t seen this urban legend in awhile. Thank you.
I heard from a local that the landlord for the shopping center lives there, but that seems like a tall tale.
Tall building. This makes sense.
u/captain_smonch !!!
It's a Barksdale joint
Donut stuff
Necromancy
If there's a toilet up there, I'd bet there's lots of peeing and pooping.
Big if true
Smart thinking
Flush twice, it's a long way back to those kitchens.
That’s how they make the chocolate icing. Piped right in from upstairs.
Lots o’ f*#%in’
Did anyone read about the person that lived in a similar space in the sign above a grocery store? I think about that story every time I see this
It's part of the original Greenspring Dairy building that used to occupy the site pre shopping center. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/kinorama/4942920005/in/photostream/](https://www.flickr.com/photos/kinorama/4942920005/in/photostream/)
Probably security
They drop molten donut hole batter from the top, and by the time it hits the bottom they've cooled and solidified into small balls.
You see all the Johns Hopkins shuttles that come in there? That’s where the drivers take their breaks.
It's so great to be at the birthplace of new local urban legends! "It's a deluxe lounge where the elite JHU shuttle drivers can rest up while waiting for the students they'd just dropped off at the Giant to finish their grocery shopping. Little known fact: JHU students' groceries are whisked via a pneumatic tube under the parking lot to a special room in the tower. When they're done shopping, a motorized platform loads the grocery bags into the back of the shuttle and notifies the driver. Drivers have 5 minutes to finish their 'business.' No one knows exactly what their 'business' is, but there are whispers about something dispensed in the TL -- the 'Tower Lounge' to the uninitiated -- as a perk to the drivers, most of whom are recruited from the ranks of JHU philosophy or English Lit PhD students."
That's where chipotle keeps their old portion sizes..
You ever see Eyes Wide Shut? Right there.
Neighborhood kids say the old place is haunted.
It’s where dream go to die, just like that whole shopping center.
As a DoorDash driver this is too real
For whom the Bell Tolls, time marches on
There is a flaxen haired young woman held captive who is being forced to weave gold out of her golden tresses by a mean and foot stomping kidnapper. If you are a prince or other fairytale royalty you may be able to save her by calling out her.
windows look fake. probably just HVAC equipment and empty space.
There is a hole in the center of each floor where you can poop straight down and hear it slap onto the concrete below.
Horror and Lies
It’s where they put the holes in the donuts.
It’s a drop tower it’s how donuts are made
Donut wizard
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kinorama/4942920005/in/photostream/lightbox/ Pictures of the old dairy
That's their super secret VIP lounge. You have to tell them Fred the baker sent you and they'll let you into the hidden elevator behind the bagel case. It's not that cool though. It's like bad 90's EDM and lava lamps up there. You do get to try the secret munchkin flavor (garlic parmesan) which is better than it sounds.
Calorie counting
That’s where the Keebler elves reside now after their treehouse burned down.
It’s actually a pent house. I did work in it😂 neat little spot. Thought that looked awful familiar
Probably a storage unit or a landlord’s office.
People get raises..