Federal Hill : Development News

 Federal Hill's Blue Agave will have a different feel when it reopens later this week.
 
New owners took over the Mexican restaurant last month and are wrapping up renovations to the 2,500-square-foot space. The two-week renovations began last week and during that time the restaurant has been closed, General Manager Adam Pashkevich says.

As part of the changes, the restaurant plans to open up the space by tearing down some walls, and making the exterior more inviting for customers. The restaurant will get new floors, a complete bathroom renovation, and a new bar surface, Pashkevich says.

While the changes won’t expand the space, Pashkevich says he believes more open space will create a better experience for guests. There will also be more server stations for faster food delivery.

Some changes will happen on the menu, such as adding fajitas, taking away less popular items, and some lower prices on food items, but the restaurant will stay true to its original concept of authentic Mexican food. The restaurant will also be open daily instead of Tuesday through Sunday. To accommodate the changes, some new staff will be added to the restaurant’s current staff of 20.

The new management previously worked at Macky’s in Ocean City, and each member of the team brings over 10 years of restaurant experience, Pashkevich says.
 
Source: Adam Pashkevich, general manager
Writer: Alexandra Wilding, [email protected]
 
 

Pharmacy chain Walgreens is moving into Maryland in a big way. Within the next 12 months, the chain plans to open a dozen stores in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery, Prince Georges and Washington counties. First on the list of openings is a new Walgreens that opens in Pikesville, in Baltimore County, April 7.
 
Maryland currently has 60 Walgreens, but store officials say the state is considered one with the least penetration. The number of stores in Maryland is growing as the pace of Walgreens’ expansion across the country has slowed, according to Andrew Militello, Walgreens district manager, who declined to release financial information for the chain or for individual stores.
 
Sites for the upcoming stores are Baltimore City near Johns Hopkins University campus, Cockeysville, Federal Hill, Hyattsville, Laurel, Perry Hall, Odenton, Rockville and two in Hagerstown. Existing Walgreens are located throughout the state, in Baltimore City and County, Carroll County, Howard County and the Maryland suburbs around Washington, D.C.
 
The Pikesville Walgreens is located at 1510 Reisterstown Rd., at the intersection of Reisterstown and Old Court roads, in northwest Baltimore County. This is the second Walgreens in Pikesville, the first being in Quarry Lake, a community in the Smith-Greenspring area of northwest Baltimore County.
 
While the “soft” opening is April 7, the grand opening will be held April 19, with free giveaways and children’s events.
 
The Pikesville Walgreens brought 23 new jobs to the area, and more employees may be hired in the future, Militello says.
 
The store is 15,000 square feet in size, slightly larger than a typical Walgreens. Formerly the home of an office supply store, the building’s interior was renovated and the exterior façade redone in keeping with Walgreens’ brand. Because of its size, the Pikesville Walgreens will carry items that other stores don’t have the space for.
 
The Pikesville Walgreens was five years in the making as the company scouted for a location and did market surveys of potential customers. Militello says the survey showed the location to be ideal for a number of reasons. The store has a large parking lot and is near the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), and the area has a sizeable senior population. Two multi-unit Harry and Jeanette Weinberg buildings for senior citizens are close by the store.
 
“This is a tremendous site for us,” says Militello. “It’s a prime spot in Pikesville and easy access from surrounding neighborhoods.”
 
Source: Andrew Militello, Walgreens’ district manager
Writer: Barbara Pash

South Baltimore could see a new townhouse development if an area developer's plans get approval from Baltimore's zoning board.
 
A planning consulting firm is working with a local developer who plans to build townhouses near Key Highway in Riverside. The townhouses are expected to carry price tags around $400,000.

Baltimore's AB Associates submitted plans for zoning approval from the city for 14 three-story townhouses with rooftop decks, and most with two-car garages at the intersection of Harvey and Lawrence Streets bordering Locust Point. The site is one block from the Baltimore Museum of Industry. 
 
The plans will go before the city's Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals Feb. 7.
 
If approved, construction could begin on the townhouses this year, and hit the market early next year, says Al Berry, principal of AB Associates. Berry says he's working on behalf of developer Ray Jackson, who owns the property.
 
Berry believes the location near the proposed townhouses just off Key Highway and close to the exit for I-95 will appeal to many homebuyers. Additionally, Berry expects the price point to suit buyers looking to move into the city.
 
"The neighborhood has always been strong for development and housing value," Barry says. He says he doesn't yet know the development cost. 
 
The land where the proposed townhouses sit belonged to the late Vincent Rallo, owner of Rallo's Restaurant. The planned site served as a parking lot for Rallo's Restaurant.
 
The homes will be designed modern industrial style and will all face onto an extensively landscaped interior court, says Berry.
 
Architectural work for the proposed project is being handled by SETO Architects LLC in Mt. Vernon, Berry sats.
 
Writer: Alexandra Wilding
Source: Al Berry, principal of AB Associates
 

Beer lovers and fashionistas may start spending more time in Federal Hill.

Brightside Boutique and Art Studio and the Brewer’s Cask bar and restaurant both opened this month.

They are the latest businesses to debut in Federal Hill as neighborhood promoters work to fill vacancies. Cheese Galore and More and Republic Noodle opened in the fall.

After several years in New York working for Diane von Furstenberg and Nanette Lepore, Towson University graduate Christie Griffiths wanted to return to Baltimore. Located at 1136 S. Charles St., Brightside sells floral tops, vintage clothing, jewelry, handbags and shoes.

Mindful of the economy, Griffiths says she is selling pieces that cost less than $100.

“I love the neighborhood,” Griffiths says. “There’s tons of bars but not a lot of shopping.”

And speaking of bars, the Brewer’s Cask pours 20 draft beers on tap and houses 50 bottles.

Jason Stevens and partner Ajay Singh are keeping their day jobs in IT, and taking turns working nights at the 100-seat brewpub, Stevens says.

The 2,500-square-foot pub was formerly Muggsy’s and opened Jan. 5, just hours after the business received its liquor license, Stevens says.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Christie Griffiths, Brightside; Jason Stevens, Brewer's Cask

The economic downturn had left several vacancies along Federal Hill's normally busy shopping corridor. The vacant storefronts and vacant stalls in Cross Street Market were definitely detracting from the neighborhood's appeal. The shopping outlook in Federal Hill is a little brighter now thanks to several new businesses that have opened recently in the neighborhood.
 
Cheese Galore and More has opened in a stall in the historic Cross Street Market to fulfill Federal Hill's appetite for all things dairy and and the things that enhance your cheese plate. The new market stand features many varieties of gourmet cheese, including some that is locally produced. Cheese Galore and More also offers crackers, breads, olives, butter, spreads and meats to complete your cheesy feast.
 
Federal Hill is the home of a new restaurant as well. Republic Noodle at 1121 Light Street offers modern décor and an emphasis on hormone free, all natural meats and eco friendly locally sourced accompaniments. It's BYOB. In addition to noodles and pho, Republic Noodle also features pan Asian cuisine and classic desserts with a modern flair.
 
A new gift shop, Bobabooi's Treasure Chest has opened at 1129 Light Street. This family run combination consignment store and gift shop offers new purses, jewelry, accessories as well as a selection of consignment items. The shop offers 10% discounts on Fridays.
 
Writer: Amy McNeal
Source: Federal Hill Main Street

Federal Hill has gotten a fresh jolt of sugar and java.

Afters Caf� opened this month at 1001 S. Charles St., serving up frozen yogurt, espresso, and pastries from Patisserie Poupon. Peter Hahn and his brother Andrew Hahn wanted to open a family-friendly place in the South Baltimore neighborhood.

"Me and my brother wanted to open a place where moms and kids can have some ice cream," Peter Hahn says. "There aren't that many places where you can take your kids."

Though the brothers live in Howard County, they wanted to open the business in the city to capitalize on the FroYo craze. And the market for that is already pretty saturated in Howard County.

Hahn says he tried to incorporate a contemporary design in the 25-seat restaurant to mimic the look and feel of European caf�s.

After spending six months in Italy last year, Hahn vowed to open a caf� like the ones he saw in Europe.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Peter Hahn, Afters

A restaurant with a waterfront view and seasonal menu will open by September at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. Designed by Patrick Sutton, the 75-seat Vu at Living Classrooms will feature a menu crafted by Corks' Jerry Pellegrino and cost more than $900,000 to build.

Foundation staff are calling the Vu a "seed-to-plate" restaurant, because it will serve produce grown at Living Classrooms Foundation's after-school gardening program, says Richard Slingluff, the nonprofit's facilities manager. That program is known as Baltimore Urban Gardening With Students, or BUGS.

"We're excited to work with our students to get as much student-grown produce to be served at a high-end restaurant one block away," Slingluff says.

The first-floor restaurant will feature floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Domino Sugar factory and Fort McHenry, Living Classrooms CEO James Piper Bond says.

The restaurant will hopefully bring in revenue to support the maritime park, Bond says.

On Mondays, restaurant employees will provide hospitality and culinary training to Living Classrooms' students. The nonprofit oversees after-school and job training programs for at-risk youth.

"It's a beautiful space on the water," Pellegrino says. "How can you beat that?"


Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: James Piper Bond, Richard Slingluff, Living Classrooms; Jerry Pellegrino, Corks

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland is giving an A+ rating to the Federal Reserve Bank Building in Otterbein.

The agency moved into its new office last month at 502 S. Sharp St. after eights years at 1414 Key Hwy. in Federal Hill. The 4,300-square-foot space is slightly larger than its old one.

The bureau's lease was up and picked the bank building because it offers free parking, a cafeteria, and meeting space for its educational programs, BBB spokeswoman Jody Thomas says.

"We're getting all that we could for our monthly investment," she says. The building's rent costs about $18 per square foot.

BBB's 15-person staff like the location because it offers easy access to Interstate 95 and is easy to find as it is across the street from Camden Yards.

Terri Harrington, of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services LLC, brokered the deal.


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Jody Thomas, BBB of Greater Maryland

Before a girl paints the town red, she needs to pick the right shade of red, according to makeup artist Tiffany Jeffers.

Jeffers is opening a Federal Hill store in August where clients can get custom-blended eye shadow, foundation, lipstick, and skin care.

Sylk Cosmetics at 1049 S. Charles St. replaces kids clothing store Ladybugs and Fireflies, which closed in April.

Currently, Jeffers is offering makeup applications and hosting photo shoots in the space but will open the retail store in the summer.

Jeffers, who is doing the makeup for Baltimore Fashion Week, will spend about $100,000 on the store, which includes buying the inventory for the custom-blended makeup and skin care products.

Clients will pay $30 for an initial makeup consultation, and anywhere from $10 to $18 on lipstick and eye shadow and about $30 for foundation. Jeffers can add SPF protection or wrinkle-fighting serum to the blend.

The business owner says she chose Federal Hill because it is a "fun, hip, and eclectic area."


Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Tiffany Jeffers, Sylk Cosmetics

The owners of an eight-year-old Locust Point spa have renewed their lease and will begin renovations next month to polish up the space.

Studio 921 Salon & Medi Day Spa will get new floors, tiles, and front desk area to give it a "funkier, edgier" feel, customer service manager Carolyn Devlin says. The renovations, to start April 4, will cost around $200,000.

Owners Judy Sulisufaj Kelly and Colleen Smith have hired local furniture designer Jonathan Maxwell to design an industrial-looking front desk area, using wood and stainless steel. The lobby and entryway will get new tile floors and cherry wood will replace the tan parquet floors in the salon.

The owners also plan to tear down a wall in the salon so they can add two more styling stations that can accommodate up to four more stylists.

On the spa side, Studio 921 will get new women's locker rooms, carpet, and cabinets.

Named a best place to work by Baltimore magazine for offering a 401(k) and paid vacation, Studio 921 managers hope a rejuvenated salon will give its 50 employees another reason to stay, Devlin says.

The owners have extended their lease at the Foundry on Fort, a complex that also includes the Wine Market and Merritt Athletic Club.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Carolyn Devlin, Studio 921

A nonprofit is building a center to treat homeless veterans with drug or alcohol addictions in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of West Baltimore.

The center at 1611 Baker St. will cost the Baltimore Station $2.3 million to build and acquire the property, executive director Michael Seipp says.

The west Baltimore site currently houses a former Catholic Rectory and two rowhomes. The 16,800-square-foot Baker Street Station will be the nonprofit's second treatment center.

Funding for the center comes from four sources: the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Abell Foundation, and the France-Merrick Foundation.

The Baltimore Station is also hosting a fundraiser April 14 in Federal Hill's Cross Street Market to raise money for the new center.

Many military troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are being asked to serve multiple tours of duty, which puts them at a higher risk of getting post-traumatic stress disorder, Seipp says. And many of these men turn to alcohol or drugs, which, in turn, can lead to homelessness.

Veterans represent about one-quarter of all homeless people, twice that of the civilian population, according to the center's statistics.
The Baltimore Station employs 28 and has a $2 million annual operating budget.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Michael Seipp, Baltimore Station

An eco-friendly home goods retailer has chosen Baltimore over several other cities as its corporate headquarters.

Bambeco moved its staff to the Brooklyn neighborhood in South Baltimore, to what is known as the old Lucky's Warehouse. The building is located at 3432 2nd St.

The one-year-old company sells furniture, rugs, pillows, and kitchen and entertaining supplies made from recycled materials.

CEO Susan Aplin says she selected Baltimore over Philadelphia, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. Baltimore has an "underrated" work force that can aid the retail, technology, and marketing industries. By next year the company will have 24 employees and will add another 25 in 2012.

Since some of Bambeco's products come from overseas, Aplin likes being in a port city.

Aplin is also moving Bambeco's warehouse from West Virginia and is on the hunt for 10,000 square feet of space. The headquarters is 5,900 square feet.

Qualified for a LEED Gold rating, the renovated Lucky's building contains solar panels and a geothermal heat pump that heats the water when solar power isn't available. That seems fitting for a company that sells recycled products. Aplin also liked the fact that the building is close to Interstates 895, 695, and 95. It is also close to the Federal Hill neighborhood, where staff can get lunch.

Most of the products Bambeco sells are made by the company itself. As of now, everything is sold on its Web site, Bambeco.com. Next year, it will begin selling in department and specialty stores, says Aplin, who declined to name the stores.  

Aplin declined to disclose sales.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Susan Aplin, Bambeco

There's a new sweet spot in Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood. Midnite Confection's Cupcakery, brainchild of mother and son team Sandra and Aaron McNeil, opened its doors in October.

After finding her son busily baking one night just before the witching hour, attempting to satisfy his sweet tooth, mother and son teamed up to create several original recipes. They let their family and friends try them and were surprised when orders started coming in. The pair had been selling their cupcakes from their Prince George's County home before relocating their ovens to Baltimore.

"We were looking for an area to open our business that would be best for us. A friend of mine who lives in Federal Hill suggested the area. We came up looked at available properties. We kept our eye on the area to see if it was going in a positive direction. Everything looked good to us, we found a spot we thought was perfect and opened the shop," says Aaron McNeil who adds that he's planning on moving to Baltimore in the near future.

McNeil says the shop offers a variety of non-traditional cupcake flavors which will set it apart from other local cupcake retailers.

"We have six signature flavors and two specialty flavors every day. Other flavors can be pre-ordered. Our signature dozen includes vanilla, chocolate, carrot, lemon, and black velvet. Our vanilla cupcake is made with vanilla bean in the cake and icing. Our chocolate cupcake has a cream cheese and chocolate chip filling. We keep it basic for people who are no frills but like quality," he says.

The bakery also offers a line of "After Hours" cupcakes inspired by popular cocktails including, Mojitos, Fuzzy Navels, Pina Coladas and Kahluha and Cream.


Source: Aaron McNeil
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Federal Hill has gotten another interior design and home d�cor store.

Curiosity opened last month at 1033 S. Charles St. on the second floor of a rowhome. The shop sells art, antiques, home decorations and gift books. Owner Katie DeStefano sells treasures she finds at auctions and flea markets.

"If it's pretty and fun we have it here," DeStefano says.

The interior designer also sells sketches, photos, prints, and other art pieces she collects on her travels to New York, Los Angeles, and Savannah, Ga.

"Everywhere I go I look for something that catches my eye," DeStefano says. "Every time I get on an airplane something is coming back with me."

The business owner describes the store's style as "sophisticated and fun" with an eclectic mix of furnishings � from 19th century pieces to modern 1960s-style items.

Curiosity is the latest design store to call Federal Hill home. SoBo Design Loft also opened last month. The neighborhood also houses Shofer's Furniture and linen and bath store Phina's for the Home.

DeStefano says she chose Federal Hill because it's full of young, stylish people who will hopefully want to shop at her store.

"I love that people here are young and open to the idea of great design," she says. "A lot of places are not forward looking enough."

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Katie DeStefano, Curiosity

A Federal Hill bar is hoping to make some dough with the aid of pepperoni and mozzarella.

Grumpies Pour House is expanding into the Cross St. building next door to its current location and putting in a coal-fired pizza oven, owner John Dolaway says.

Currently, the six-year-old bar at 25 Cross St. serves alcohol and no eats. But once the owners tear down the wall between that building and 23 Cross St., they will serve pizza, salads and maybe wings. Dolaway owns both buildings.

The extra space will allow it to seat another 40 customers, to a total of about 100.

Dolaway says he thought pizza was a good idea since there aren't too many pizza joints in Federal Hill. It could also bring in the family crowd earlier in the evening, Dolaway says.

Dolaway says it's "foolish" to run a bar without offering people something to eat � another avenue to earn money in the same space.

"I think we can make money doing this," Dolaway says. "I feel there is a need for something like this."

Dolaway says he likes Federal Hill because of the vibrant, city life, where people can walk to Cross Street Market and other locales.

"It's a fantastic place for young adults to congregate."

Dolaway says he does not know yet how much the expansion, which will take about six months, will cost.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: John Dolaway, Grumpies