A three-foot-tall peach outside Georgia Grace Café and a glossy purple eggplant outside The Wine Bin have become flashpoints in Ellicott City's historic district, where preservationists say the playful sculptures clash with the cobblestone street's heritage and motorists' sightlines.
Howard County's Historic Preservation Commission ruled earlier this month that the displays were out of place and must come down, citing concerns that they block views of historic buildings and undermine the district's heritage charm. Commission chair Julianne Danna described the peach as enormous and said the oversized art would be better suited to a mall or college campus than the cobblestone street known for its historic architecture. The peach outside Georgia Grace Café has already been ordered down, while the glossy purple eggplant outside The Wine Bin was granted a 12-month reprieve before it too must vanish. Howard County later confirmed the decision, noting that the café could apply to move the peach elsewhere or appeal the ruling in circuit court.
The sculptures were created by Jan Kirsh Studio, an Eastern Shore artist known for oversized fruit and vegetable artwork. The three-foot-tall pieces have become selfie magnets for visitors and a source of lively debate about whether whimsical art has a place in a district built on history. Supporters say the art brings visitors and a sense of whimsy to a town that relies on tourism, while opponents argue the pieces disrupt views of historic facades and undermine the area’s character.
Shopkeepers have plastered 'Save the Peach and Aubergine' signs in store windows, insisting the statues draw foot traffic and add a playful charm to a district that many residents say already has enough formality. Dave Carney, owner of The Wine Bin, told local outlets that the sculpture project is partly about personal perception and public space: "It's cute, it's fun, it's kitschy. I guess I don't quite understand the innuendo because I have one of those body parts and it doesn't look like that and it's not purple, so I'm not sure really how that came about. It's kind of weird. So, it's kind of comical that people think that." Customers have left trinkets and notes at the sculpture's base, turning it into a makeshift shrine.
The property manager who filed the application to keep the sculptures says she will pursue court action to overturn the decision, calling the commission's ruling arbitrary and capricious. The Baltimore Sun quoted her as saying the ruling undermines artistic expression and the community’s identity.
Longtime area business owners argue that removing the art could drain the district of its playful spirit. Sally Tennant, a shopkeeper who has worked in Ellicott City for 45 years, told the Baltimore Sun, "There’s no reason a peach and an eggplant should cause this kind of uproar." The sculptures were commissioned from Jan Kirsh Studio, which specializes in oversized fruit and vegetable artwork and has expanded into jewelry and two-dimensional home and garden pieces.
In the broader context, the dispute highlights ongoing tensions in small historic towns between preserving architectural character and allowing contemporary public art to spark dialogue and tourism. While officials say safety and sightlines are paramount, supporters argue that a little whimsy can coexist with heritage, drawing visitors and fostering local pride. The next steps hinge on whether the café relocates the peach, whether the eggplant’s reprieve becomes a longer-term solution, or whether litigation reshapes the district’s approach to outdoor art.