Currently viewing the tag: "Cindy Grimes"

Deb Abraham Spalding

If you’ve lived in the Catoctin Region for any length of time, chances are high that you or one of your neighbors have used J&B Real Estate to buy or sell a home…maybe even more than once!

Through good economic times and bad, J&B Real Estate celebrates 40 years of service and a trusted reputation.

Bonita Smith, J&B’s founding Real Estate Broker, shared that while she and her husband Jim (late) were both raised in the Catoctin area (Jim was one of the Hillside Turkey Farm family), they moved back from Glen Burnie in 1981 and, soon after, started the firm. They operated the fledgling business out of their home on Emmitsburg Road in Thurmont. Though Bonita wanted the name to be “B&J Real Estate,” Jim suggested that “J&B Real Estate” would be more memorable because of “J&B Scotch.” The decision stuck.

The Smiths also had a seafood carryout business in Laurel that was operated with a partner. That business was sold a few years into the real estate venture, as the Smiths’ focus shifted to full-time real estate.

When they opened, Bonita was the broker and Jim was an agent. In the fall of 1981, J&B became incorporated, and in a few short years, the business was moved from their home to its current location in the former Weighbright Store at 13 ½ Water Street in Thurmont. In those days, Jim Bittner, Holly Clabaugh (late), and several other agents helped carve the solid foundation upon which J&B stands. Jim Bittner is still an active agent today.

In J&B’s tenure, locals have come to depend on J&B Real Estate’s vast experience to navigate the buying and selling process. Having roots, family, and heritage in Sabillasville, Emmitsburg, and Thurmont, the Smiths not only grew their business but also raised their daughters, Jennifer, Jamie, and Anne.

Bonita said that it was her plan to retire at age 50. At this 40th anniversary, she deserves some teasing since she still keeps a consistent part-time schedule as an active agent and Associate Broker, and she just might have passed the 50-year mark.

In January 2018, J&B was purchased by veteran J&B real estate agent, Cindy Grimes. Sadly, Jim Smith passed away on December 17, 2020.

Today, Cindy leads J&B’s continued success with 11 licensed agents, 9 of which are active. “We’re a hometown boutique brokerage,” she explained, “Though we’re not a big brand, we have just as much to offer.”

“I’ve been here for fifteen years and believe most of my success is because of her [Bonita]. They’ve [Jim and Bonita] always been good to me. I love it here. In the beginning, although I had a mortgage background, my knowledge of real estate was limited, and I was running Main Street Groomers [with her twin sister, Judy Cochran],” said Cindy.

“Holly [Clabaugh] was a great mentor, too,” Cindy added, “Though she passed away soon after I started, she was always very helpful and shared a ton of knowledge with me.”

Bonita laughed, remembering,  “Holly was in the office one day when Andy Rooney walked in to ask questions about Camp David. He wanted to know how much it was worth.”

Cindy shared that the J&B team has great camaraderie in the office. “You don’t feel competition, just support in the J&B office. It can be a very stressful career, but it’s very rewarding and it really helps when you work with such a great team of agents. It’s a customer-service job more than a sales job. We are most interested in what is best for our clients and doing the best job we can for them.”

A shared characteristic of J&B’s agents is that they know the area extremely well. Cindy said, “When someone calls, I typically know exactly what house they’re talking about if it is located in Northern Frederick County. We know so many people in the area. I think it makes people more comfortable.”

Cindy wants the community to know, “We’re not planning on going anywhere. We love this community and we’re here for you. As a small boutique brokerage, we try to offer a more personal experience for our clients.”

Today’s active agents include Cathi Miller, Diane Bowers, Bonita Smith, Cindy Grimes, Elle Smith, Beth Ohler, Vinny Testa, Jim Bittner, Deb Gartner (licensed in PA), and Vonnie Frazier. Most all of the agents are licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Reach out directly to any of the J&B agents for more information or to buy or sell your home.

Standing from left are Judy Cochran, Cindy Grimes, Diane Bowers, Cathi Miller, Deb Gartner, Jennifer Phillips, Elle Smith, Beth Ohler, Vonnie Frazier, and Vinny Testa. Seated are Bonita Smith and Jim Bittner. Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding

In small towns, businesses sometimes come and go. Times change, people move. It’s a special thing when a business can set up shop and serve a community and its people for generations, which is why we are happy to announce that, after thirty-seven years of faithfully serving our community, Bonita Smith of J&B Real Estate is stepping down as owner/broker and passing the reigns into the very qualified hands of long-time local agent, Cindy Grimes.

J&B opened its doors in 1981, when Jim and Bonita Smith, who both had their real estate licenses in Howard County, moved back to their hometown of Thurmont. Bonita Feeser and Jim Smith, of the Hillside Turkey Farm Smiths, met in school and graduated from Thurmont High School. Noticing a lack of real estate options in the area, they decided to move back home. Now, after running a successful business for decades, Bonita, though not retiring, intends to free up some time for gardening, traveling, and taking care of her chickens.

You might recognize Cindy Grimes as a familiar face around the area. Cindy started as a salesperson with J&B in December of 2006, received her Associate Broker license in April 2017, and became a broker in December of 2017. This allowed the transition to be finalized, and Cindy took ownership on January 1, 2018. Bonita will continue to be a presence around the office, assuming the role of associate broker.

Having been a part of the industry and the area for so many years, Cindy has great respect for both the community and the people in it. She knows how valuable it is to build and maintain an honest, hardworking reputation as a local business, and is grateful to have had the opportunity to do so.

About the transition, she said, “Without the extraordinary support of the community, my family and friends, I would not be where I am today. I am so thankful for all of my clients—past, present, and future. Referrals are a large part of my business and that means the world to me. I look forward to continuing the standard of service everyone has come to expect from J&B Real Estate.”

Despite being a small-town agent, Cindy sold 15.2 million in real estate in 2017. That is an impressive total, especially when looking at it from the perspective that she is serving clients who live in, or are moving to, small towns or rural areas. She works hard for her clients. “I am vested in my clients and care about their real estate experience. I want to make sure they enjoy a smooth transaction.”

Regarding the future of the business, Cindy is optimistic. Currently, J&B is licensed in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, with six agents in the office. Cindy plans to expand the team, both by bringing in new agents, as well as growing the area in which they do business.

Cindy shared that there are some pending changes within the profession that will streamline things for realtors in the future. This will carry through to clients being more informed and enjoying an even easier real estate buying or selling experience. By staying in touch with modern trends, training, and information, Cindy hopes to make J&B an attractive option for realtors looking to grow and develop their own careers.

For more information about J&B or to contact them, visit their offices at 13 ½ Water Street in Thurmont, call 301-271-3487 x 24 or 301-788-5354, or visit www.frederickcountyhomefinder.com.

J&B Real Estate has been a long-standing advertiser in The Catoctin Banner. We greatly appreciate their support.

Cindy Grimes and Bonita Smith of J&B Real Estate.