LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A boarded-up former Burger King on Great Mills Road is expected to be redeveloped into a Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings as part of a project county officials say will bring new investment and jobs to Lexington Park.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved a Property Tax Challenge incentive July 14, 2026, for MAXXPR, LLC, the owner of the commercial property at 21650 Great Mills Road.
County documents show the site includes a 2,530-square-foot fast-food building constructed in 1981. State property records list MAXXPR LLC as the owner and show the company purchased the property from Burger King Company LLC on Nov. 25, 2025, for $630,000.
Architectural plans for the project identify the new restaurant as “Charleys Cheesesteaks + Wings” and show a dining area, kitchen, drive-thru window, walk-in cooler and freezer, storage areas and space reserved for a future retail tenant.
MAXXPR estimates more than $1.5 million in total investment, including acquisition and improvements. County staff reported the work will include exterior upgrades such as paving, concrete, painting and landscaping, along with interior renovations to turn the property into a fast-casual restaurant.
The project is expected to create 30 to 35 jobs.
The incentive is part of St. Mary’s County’s Property Tax Challenge program, which targets commercial areas of Lexington Park and is meant to encourage upgrades to older properties. Eligible improvements can include façade work, exterior painting, signage, landscaping, lighting, parking lot improvements and other visible upgrades.
Under the agreement, MAXXPR must complete eligible improvements within a 12-month period. The improvements must cost at least $25,000 and equal at least 10% of the property’s assessed value.
Because the investment is expected to exceed 15% of the property’s assessed value, the project qualifies for a 10-year incentive period. The agreement states the tax credit may not exceed 25% of the county property tax assessed on the property.
A project exhibit lists the 2026 assessed value at $806,700 and uses an anticipated project investment of $1 million for tax-credit calculation purposes. The same exhibit estimates the total credit over the 10-year period at $40,062.96, though the final amount may change once improvements are completed and the property is reassessed.
Eligible exterior expenses for the project total $245,644.18. Listed work includes grease trap connection work, asphalt paving, sidewalk and patio concrete, demolition, landscaping, roofing repairs, storefront and aluminum doors, exterior painting, a digital menu board, electrical work and new exterior LED signs.
County economic development staff recommended approval, noting the project fits the goal of bringing visible private investment to Lexington Park’s commercial corridor. Staff also reported this is the third application received under the Property Tax Challenge program.
The tax credit will take effect only after the improvements are completed, documented and certified by the county’s Director of Economic Development.
For Great Mills Road, the project would turn a vacant former fast-food site into a new restaurant while adding another piece to ongoing efforts to revitalize Lexington Park’s commercial core. An opening date for the new Charleys location will be announced at a later date.
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