Falcon Bait and Sandwich Shop
History of The Shop
Originally built in the 1960s as a simple bait kiosk near the public boat ramp, the shop gradually expanded into a small lakeside business serving both fishermen and visitors exploring Falcon Lake.
Over time the Mercer family added sandwiches, drinks, and basic fishing supplies, turning the shop into a daily meeting place for locals. Early mornings often brought a small crowd of regulars stopping in for bait, coffee, and conversation before launching their boats.
The docks behind the shop became one of Falcon Hollow’s most recognizable lakeside landmarks, where children learned to fish and longtime residents gathered at sunrise.
The Shop and the Community
For many residents the shop was more than a business — it was part of Falcon Hollow’s daily rhythm. Generations of anglers passed through its doors, and the dock behind the building became a familiar setting for early-morning fishing stories and quiet evenings on the water.
Rick Mercer, who operated the shop for many years, was widely known for helping newcomers learn the basics of fishing and for keeping spare gear on hand for young anglers just starting out. His easygoing personality made the shop one of the most welcoming places along the lake.
75 Lake Shore Road, Falcon Hollow MD
Introduction
Falcon Bait & Sandwich Shop sits along a quiet bend of Falcon Lake where the shoreline curves into a narrow channel and the woods rise just beyond the road. For decades the small lakeside shop has served anglers, families, and early-morning fishermen heading out onto the water.
Part bait shop, part lunch counter, the building has long been a familiar gathering place for the town’s outdoor community. Locals often describe it as the unofficial starting point of a day on the lake.
"Bait Shop" courtesy of local artist Harlan Cade, reproduced here with gratitude
Notable Events
In June 2023 the docks behind Falcon Bait & Sandwich Shop became the site of a tragedy that would later be connected to the Father’s Day investigation.
Rick Mercer was discovered on the far end of the dock early one morning by a returning customer. His fishing gear remained beside him, and the scene initially appeared calm and undisturbed. Investigators would later determine that the circumstances surrounding his death formed part of a larger pattern that would unfold over the following year.
The incident deeply affected Falcon Hollow, as Mercer had long been considered one of the town’s most familiar and dependable community figures.
Present Status
Following the events of 2023, the shop temporarily closed while the investigation continued. In the weeks that followed, residents left flowers and small memorials along the dock where Mercer had often fished at sunset.
Although the building still stands along the lake, the docks remain a quiet reminder of a place that once served as one of Falcon Hollow’s most cherished gathering spots.
