(12/1) The last quarter of 2009 has been an active one for Emmitsburg's business community. A number of new businesses have opened or re-opened under new names.

Maple Leaf Saddlery and Apparel relocated from the Hagerstown area to open in downtown Emmitsburg at 302 West Main Street. When you enter the store, you'll find yourself looking a full-size horse showing off some of the tack that the store offers.

"You had to really search to find me before," said owner Mariah Neff. " I like the feeling here in Emmitsburg. It's a quaint, old fashioned town."

Neff points out that her new location is convenient to Thurmont, Waynesboro and Gettysburg. Maple Leaf offers western clothing, hats, books, saddles and tack. Neff also cleans and shapes western hats.

One difference she has found between Emmitsburg and Hagerstown is "there's a lot more people riding English saddle on this side of the mountain than on the other side," Neff side.

The store is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also call the store at (301) 447-6535.

Though Bob Hance has owned One More Tavern for about three years, he recently brought in a new manager, did some renovating and reopened the restaurant/bar as Smokehouse Alley.

"We've also got a new menu, though we retained the two most popular items from One More Tavern-the roast chicken and hamburgers," Hance said.

New manager Marty Qually is focusing on using locally grown foods to create the new menu items. Plus, a lot of the new choices are smoked meats using Smokehouse Alley's huge smoker.

"We're a nice local neighborhood pub," Hance said.

To build on the idea of being a neighborhood pub, Smokehouse Alley sponsors pool leagues and does local fundraisers. On opening night, Smokehouse Alley raised $400 for the Emmitsburg Food Bank.

Smokehouse Alley celebrated its grand opening on Nov. 13 with special offers and celebrity bartenders like Emmitsburg Council President Chris Staiger and Mayor Jim Hoover.

Smokehouse Alley is open for lunch and dinner daily and also offers brunch on the weekends. Call (301) 447-6749 for more information.

Though Carleo Italian Pizza in the Silo Hill Shopping Center hasn't changed its name, it is also under new management. April and Gerald Martin took over the business in late October. Though customers saw some new faces behind the counter, the Martins strived to make the transition seamless and maintain a high-quality operation. They also began adding new items to the menu.

"We're still planning on adding pasta dinners like shrimp alfredo and seafood alfredo," April Martin said.

Carleo is open 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. They also offer delivery Thursday through Saturday after 4 p.m. with a minimum order of $25.

"So far it's been going very well," Martin said. "We've got a lot of business from the Mount and from FEMA."

Though the Martins kept on the previous employees, it has also become a family operation with April Martin's parents and her son helping out.

You can call Carleo Italian Pizza at (301) 447-1999 or (301) 447-3232.

Rebecca Pearl also opened her new gallery at 24 West Main Street. The wine and cheese party brought in customers to view the art on display at her new larger location. Pearl also unveiled her new painting featuring the churches of Emmitsburg. Some of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will go to help the Emmitsburg Food Bank just as some of the proceeds from recent paintings has benefitted the Vigilant Hose Company and Mother Seton School.

Pearl's original gallery had been in Emmitsburg, but she moved it to Thurmont for three years until returning to Emmitsburg this summer. The new gallery features paintings by Pearl and other local artists, including Elizabeth Prongas and Janice Farver. She also has ceramics by Judy Ott and jewelry by Debbie Noonan.

The gallery continue to offer a wide selection of custom framing and is now offering expanded art classes. Pearl is teaching oil, pastels and watercolor painting for children and adults.

The hours for the new gallery are Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment at other times. For more information on the new gallery, call Pearl at (301) 271-2348 or visit her web site at www.rebeccapearl.com.