Rewinding the Memories: Record and Tape Traders at Dulaney Plaza

Dulaney Plaza has been home to many beloved businesses over the years, but few hold the same cherished place in our hearts as Record and Tape Traders. For decades, this iconic store wasn’t just a spot to buy music, it was where memories were made, friendships were formed, and the love of music brought people together.

Record and Tape Traders was more than a store. It was a sanctuary for music lovers. A place where you could lose track of time flipping through stacks of records, tapes, and CDs, discovering your next favorite artist or reconnecting with an old classic. The staff were passionate music enthusiasts, always ready with a recommendation or eager to share their excitement for a hidden gem.

And then there were the concerts. 

The store and sometimes even the parking lot transformed into a stage where music came alive. Local bands and legendary acts alike filled the air with sound and brought the community together in ways that felt electric. In March 2004, the progressive rock band Crack the Sky performed in the plaza’s parking lot, creating one of many unforgettable moments that made it a true gathering place for music and connection.

For many, Record and Tape Traders was where they met their favorite artist at a signing, saw their first live show, or simply spent hours bonding with friends over a shared love of music. It was a business deeply rooted in Towson’s cultural identity, a place where everyone felt they belonged.

Though Record and Tape Traders is no longer at Dulaney Plaza, its legacy lives on in the stories, friendships, and music it brought to the community. It reminds us of how one small store could create a ripple effect of connection and joy, leaving a lasting legacy that still resonates today.

Pizza Wars: How Pasta Mista is Putting Maryland on the Map

When it comes to pizza, the competition is fierce. States like New York, New Jersey, and Illinois dominate the conversation, each staking a claim for the best slice. Cities like New Haven, Detroit, and Chicago have developed entire pizza cultures that are celebrated nationwide. 

But Maryland? Let’s just say we rarely make the list.

That is, until spots like Pasta Mista come along and change everything.

With a beloved location in Towson, Pasta Mista has quietly become a local legend for pizza lovers. While Maryland isn’t traditionally known for its pizza, Pasta Mista proves that creativity, quality, and bold innovation can shake up the rankings. Their menu goes beyond the classic cheese and pepperoni, offering a unique lineup of pies that rival anything you’d find in the pizza capitals.

Take their White Pizza, for example, a creamy, cheesy delight that skips the traditional red sauce in favor of ricotta and mozzarella perfection. Or the Chicken Caesar Pizza, which combines crispy pizza crust with the fresh flavors of a Caesar salad, an unexpected yet brilliant pairing.

For those who love bold flavors, the Buffalo Chicken Pizza packs a punch with just the right balance of spice and tang, while the Vegetarian Delight proves you don’t need meat to make a statement. And let’s not forget their Seafood Pizza, a creative nod to Maryland’s love for fresh ingredients, featuring a rich blend of seafood toppings that feel both adventurous and indulgent.

Then there are the crowd favorites that keep people coming back—like the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, a hearty, flavor-packed favorite that’s often a hit among the men, and the Chicken Parmesan Pizza, a classic, comforting choice that tends to win over women.

What makes Pasta Mista stand out isn’t just their menu. It’s their ability to make Marylanders feel like they’re part of the pizza conversation. They’ve taken a cuisine that’s been perfected and debated for generations and infused it with local flair and bold experimentation.

So, the next time someone says Maryland doesn’t belong in the pizza wars, point them to Pasta Mista. Their menu is proof that great pizza can come from unexpected places, and Maryland is more than ready to join the battle for the best slice.

A Fresh Look for a Timeless Towson Landmark

For over 60 years, Dulaney Plaza has been a part of the Towson community, offering a place to shop, dine, and connect. From 2023 into early 2024, the plaza underwent a comprehensive renovation, seamlessly blending modern updates with the history and charm that have long made it a cornerstone of the area.

The updates were designed to create a welcoming and modern environment for visitors and businesses alike. New lighting now brightens the plaza, improving the ambiance. Redesigned landscaping adds vibrant greenery, giving the center a fresh and inviting look in every season. A cohesive new color palette ties everything together, maintaining the familiar character of the plaza while elevating its aesthetic.

Locally-inspired murals now bring an artistic touch to the plaza, celebrating the creativity and spirit of the Towson community. Along with these visual enhancements, practical updates like modernized signage, faux wood soffits, and durable new roof shingles ensure the plaza is as functional as it is beautiful.

“We approached this renovation with the goal of honoring our history while creating a space that feels fresh and vibrant for everyone,” said Lauryn Taubman Lukin, a third-generation owner of Dulaney Plaza. “We want Dulaney Plaza to continue being a place where the community comes together, whether they’re shopping, dining, or just enjoying the atmosphere.”

Now that renovations are complete, Dulaney Plaza is ready to welcome visitors and businesses into an updated space that offers convenience, charm, and opportunity. Whether you’re grabbing coffee, taking a picture in front of the murals, or considering leasing space for your business, there’s never been a better time to visit Dulaney Plaza.

Stop by to experience the changes for yourself and see why Dulaney Plaza continues to be a Towson favorite.

Our Family Business

If you're reading this, you have likely shopped at Dulaney Plaza at least once in the last 60 years. Or maybe you came to work  in one of the offices above our retail stores. (Although we're sure you found yourself getting a coffee, a slice, a haircut or all of the above at some point if you did). Over the years we've tried to provide you and the greater Towson community with a friendly environment to shop, to work, to take care of errands but also enjoy the experience. We've added new services, new stores, new bushes and even new faces, but one face had been there every single day since our family first purchased the land in the 1950's.

Robert Taubman, known to many as Bobby, passed away in November 2017 at the age of ninety-eight. And as recently as August 2017 he was still coming in to the center every single day. He'd check his mail, say hi to office staff, have lunch at Razorback's and head home for the day (likely after a nap). But his presence was a part of the shopping center since he first built an automotive store with his brothers after buying the land in 1958. Soon they started selling toys and every few years would add another building for new stores. Eventually they even had to buy more land to accompany Jos. A. Banks in the back building.

Soon his son, Larry, would take over day to day operations and grow the business to what you know today. Adding such retailers as Starbucks, LOFT, Ann Taylor, The Fresh Market and most recently, Race Pace Bicycles (now Trek). But throughout it all, Bobby still came to work each day to be part of the bustling shopping community he helped build before there even was a beltway!

In 2017, Larry's daughter and Bobby's grand-daughter, Lauryn Taubman Lukin, began working at the center as well, marking a third generation of Taubmans to help the company. While their time working together lasted just a few months (enough for at least one photo - above!) the symbolism is undeniable and we hope to be able to continue living up to the values as we serve the Towson and Greater Baltimore community.