Hampden : Development News

Kristopher Auer first started racing bikes 23 years ago. Now, he has turned his passion into a business in Hampden. Twenty20 Cycling Co. opened this month at 725 W. 36th Street. Auer and his two business partners, Norman Brach and Johnny May, invested $250,000 to transform a dilapidated garage into a full-service bike retail and repair shop.

Auer, who lives in nearby Remington, likes Hampden's Avenue because of it's always full of activity. "The Avenue has a lot of vibrancy," he says. "The unique shops make it a very Baltimore experience. It's the heart of the city in a certain sense. It's not downtown but not the county."

He also thought it was appropriate to open the shop in a part of town where it's easy to ride bikes. "It's a very bikeable part of town. The more people riding is better for the city. It's better for everyone."

Entry-level bikes run about $300, while a high-end custom bike can cost up to $10,000. "It's kind of like a car or stereo. If it's something you're into, why not ride the best."

Auer met his business partners through a cycling team that he runs. Auer also knew May from working at the Mt. Washington Bike Shop. Brach was a cycling client that Auer was training. "Serendipitously, everything came together."

Some of the costs of opening the 3,000-square-foot store was offset by a biking company called Specialized. The company helped the business owners design and lay out the store.  Twenty20 sells other bike brands as well.

Read about other efforts to green Baltimore here.


Source: Kristopher Auer, Tewenty20 Cycling Co.
Writer: Julekha Dash

Justine Mantua fell in love with Hampden six years ago and liked it so much she made it the home for her new business.

The recent college graduate opened Fleurish Boutique May 13 at 822 W. 36th St. The 700-square-foot store sells an eclectic mix of modern and vintage furniture and home d�cor and gifts. Having studied interior design in college, Mantua offers interior design services.

She started her business in New Market, in Frederick County, but decided the store would be better suited to Hampden.
"I fell in love with the energy and all the people are so nice," Mantua says. "I always thought how much I'd love to have a store there. I just decided to pick up and go."

Though her first few days of opening were slow going, she is hoping business will pick up once word of her store gets around. The location, on Hampden's main thoroughfare, the Avenue, should get plenty of foot traffic, Mantua hopes.

"I love the location. I wanted to be right on the Avenue. I like sharing the area with other businesses," Mantua says.  

One of her goals with the store is to keep prices affordable so that young people like herself can afford to buy "cool vintage furniture." Currently, her most expensive item is $230 for a China cabinet.

She gets her goods from flea markets, barn sales and Craig's list.
"I take people's old, unwanted furniture and fix it up and paint it. It's kind of like recycling it."

She decided to start of small and give herself room to grow.
"I don't want to bite off more than I can chew," she says.

But she would like to expand someday.
"Right now it's pretty small and squished. I hope I could eventually get a bigger space with more room."

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Justine Mantua, Fleurish Boutique

Hampden is home to Cafe Hon, a wine bar and a host of eclectic funky clothing boutiques.

But where's a new, eco-conscious mom to go to shop for her newborn?

Bayla Berkowitz has the answer, with Soft and Cozy Baby, which celebrated its grand opening April 11. The 500-square-foot store at 3610 Falls Rd. sells natural baby products, including cloth diapers, baby carriages, and books on pregnancy.

The store also offers classes on childbirth, car seat safety, using cloth diapers and breast feeding. Berkowitz hopes to eventually expand the offerings to include more classes and sell more clothing, toys, maternity and nursing products.

Many of the store's customers hail from nearby Charles Village and Roland Park. Berkowitz had been running the store out of her Pikesville home, but then wanted to branch out into a retail store.
 
As people are going green, more customers are asking for cloth diapers in particular. "We're growing and the demand for cloth diapers is increasing," Berkowitz says.

Berkowitz and her husband own the store and they have one employee.
"We're having a good response. We're getting new moms and a few families. "

She says the likes the Hampden neighborhood because she can draw from the surrounding communities and young families moving into the Hampden neighborhood.

"It's an up and coming neighborhood. A lot of people are saying there hasn't been a baby store in a while here. So we're excited about that," Berkowitz says.

Berkowitz declined to say how much she spent to open the store.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source, Bayla Berkowitz, Soft and Cozy Baby

Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood will soon be home to a brewpub that takes its inspiration from the Northern European country known for waffles and chocolates.

Paul Kopchinski, a Maryland Native who currently residents in New York City, will open De Kleine Duivel by July. Kopchinski will spend about $100,000 renovating the former Nutty Pub at 3520 Chestnut Ave.

With a Flemish mother whose family lives in Antwerp, Kopchinski says he knows a thing or two about Belgian food and drink. The menu will consist of classic Flemish and French dishes, includes mussels and French fries, or moules frites. Other items will include Flemish beef stew, fish stew and homemade chocolates and, of course, Belgian waffles.

Kopchinski, who attended the French Culinary Institute, will design the menu but will hire someone in to cook the food. He anticipates having five entrees and a couple of appetizers. As far as beer goes, De Kleine Duivel will only sell Belgian beers, about a dozen on draft and 30 bottles. Kopchinski will concentrate on smaller boutique brewers rather than the larger brands.
"It's a country that takes it beer very seriously," Kopchinski says of Belgium.

Kopchinski has hired woodwork artist Tim Ely to create Art Nouveau style lighting, furniture and paneling in the 1,000-square-foot space.
Why Art Nouveau? One of the originators of that style was a Belgian architect named Victor Horta.

Kopchinski moved out of Maryland 12 years ago after graduating college but was eager to return once he found the Hampden spot.
"It's sort of a homecoming for me," he says. "I looked at a lot of locations and the only place I would consider doing this in Hampden. It's almost like a small town that is right in the middle of a major city. There's a sense of community among business owners that appeals to me a lot."

The business ownerconsidered opening the brewpub in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York , but commercial real estate prices were too steep. Kopchinski also considered Frederick, Asheville, N.C., and Roanoke, Va. before settling on the spot that used to be the Nutty Pub.

Though the economy has not been kind to many restaurants, Kopchinski is confident that his Belgian brews will soak in the crowds.
"People like to drink in Baltimore. Drinking is recession proof. "

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Paul Kopchinski, De Kleine Duivel

Would you pay as much as $9 for a cup of coffee? Jay Caragay is hoping you will to get some java grown by El Salvador farmer Aida Battle, known for producing small batches of award-winning coffees.

Caragay will sell Battle's brew and less expensive varieties at his new Hampden caf�, Spro. Located on the neighborhood's main drag, Caragay expects the 600-square-foot shop to at 851 W. 36th Street to open later this month.

With about $100,000 invested in the venture, Spro is Caragay's largest business to date. He also runs an espresso bar at the Towson Public Library of the same name and is best known for his Jay's Shaved Ice business. Though he closed the Timonium store in 2006, he still sells the shaved ice at summer festivals.

"We had a vision," Caragay says of his new cafe. "When you build a place that expresses that vision, people will respond to it."

His vision is to offer custom-brewed coffee. Customers will get to choose between seven different brewing methods -- iFrench press, a vacuum pot, an AeroPress, and something called the Clever Coffee Dripper, a manual coffee maker --for their cup of Joe. 

Caragay says he chose Hampden's Avenue because he thought the cafe would fit in with the eclectic shops in the area. He also expects the shop to get plenty of pedestrian traffic at that location.
 
Spro will employ nine and initially sell light pastries. Caragay plans to add more items depending on the feedback he gets from his customers.

Source: Jay Caragay, Spro
Writer: Julekha Dash

Sometimes bad news for one neighborhood is good news for another. That was the case when Salamander Used Books' owner Michael Cantor announced that the store would be leaving Hampden. But the Hon neighborhoods loss is Mt. Vernon's gain as the shop once located on 36th Street , a.k.a. The Avenue, will take up residence in its new digs at 519 N. Charlest Street on Jan. 10.

Cantor says its nothing personal against Hampden, he just needed more space in which to do more things for his clientele."We're leaving for a bunch for reasons. We needed a larger store. And, Mt. Vernon is a real cultural hub with the Peabody and Walter's and things like that. We do a heavy business in art [books]," he explains.

Hampden has become a well-known destination for its restaurent scene and is "very gift-oriented now, so it's not as happening during the weekday" when Cantor depends on foot traffic to bring shoppers in his store.

"Mt. Vernon has a much higher density of people working during the day and a lunch crowd," he adds.

Business has been good in Hampden, but Cantor says he'd like to bring in additional inventory, showcase more books and also have space to host book signings and other events.

"I'd like to have space for book clubs and other community-related events and activities. Our space was just too tight here. I get asked all the time by local writers and poets if they can have readings or signings and I just don't have the space in Hampden. This new place should be large enough for that. It's about 40 percent larger in terms of the showroom area," Cantor says.

"We really looking forward to the change. We were very happy in Hampden, but feel that this really will be a place that might work out better for us. We're very sorry to leave. Hampden has been very good to us and hopefully Mt. Vernon will allow us to continue to grow in a positive direction."

Source: Michael Cantor, Salamander Used Books
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Hampden residents have received an early present for the holidays! The Dogwood, one of the neighborhood's favorite restaurants, will reopen on Dec. 17.

According to Galen Sampson, co-owner, the financial issues that saw the restuarant shutdown in August have been resolved. He and Bridget, his wife and co-owner, have redoubled their focus on The Dogwood. And while former regulars will find much that they recognize in the new and improved restaurant, there have also been a few changes.

"We've added a community table. It's 12 feet long and 28-inches wide. It's for single diners or anyone else, and its sort of like a bar because anyone can set there," says Sampson.

Other changes include a new Oyster Bar. Where once the restaurant offered a private dining room, there'll now be a bar serving four varieties of locally grown and caught oysters. "People will be able to look out the window on to the Avenue," Sampson continues.

Fans of The Dogwood's seasonal menu, updated six times a year to coincide with the local growing season, will still focus on serving local, sustainable fare. Popular dishes such as Pan-seared trout served with locally farmed baby shrimp as well as a Sweet Potato Gnocchi top a menu that will also now include more casual fare, including Herefordshire Beef hamburgers.

Now, for the bad news, one major change -- The Dogwood will only be open for dinner and will no longer serve lunch. "We're open at 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and close at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the Oyster Bar will open at 3 p.m. and we'll close at 11 p.m.

The Dogwood will also continue to offer its job training program for people in transition who want to learn about the restaurant industry.

"We'll have openings for six people. That's really the best number for us to maintain. We train them in the area(s) they're interested in and where they seem to fit," says Sampson.

Sampson adds that he and Bridget have received a terrific amount of support from both Hampden residents and the business community.

"The support has just been great," he says.


Source: Galen Sampson, The Dogwood
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore architects, Michael Murphy and Matthew Compton, were the 2009 recipients of the American Institute of Architects Baltimore chapter's Grand Award. The two, with Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, won the award for their $1 million renovation of the city-owned Roosevelt Park Pool House, beating out 73 other entrants for the chapter's top prize.

"This spirited renovation works well with the existing building to transform the heaviness of the fortress-like old structure into a pavilion sensibility that reflects the pool's edge light while it provides shaded respite from the water. It takes risk in what it does. In an innovative way, it is contextual through contrast. The project integrates the pool fencing regulation into the design of the new canopy. This renovation creates structural integrity and a welcoming generosity of spirit. The new structure nestles over and protects the existing building in a grandfatherly way. The spirit of this addition makes you want to enter and inhabit this place," says the AIA.

Source: American Institute of Architects
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Several months after it shut down following a bar fight that ended tragically, Kolper's is back up and running again thanks to new owners Lucky Singh and his wife.

Located at 1520 Clipper Mill Road, the Singh, owner of Hopkins Deli at University Parkway and 39th Street, says it was the neighborhood and the building itself that sold them.

"We liked the location and the building is beautiful with a lot of potential," Singh says.

Also working to its advantage, from Singhs perspective, was the fact that there wasn't another bar similar to Kolper's in Hampden.

"There aren't any sports bars with good food nearby. You have to go downtown or to Towson," he explains.

Sold on the location, the experienced restauranteur has created a restaurant and bar that offers upscale food including steaks and seafood, in a casual atmosphere.

"You don't need a suit and tie. People can come in with their families and have a good meal made from fresh ingredients. Nothing is frozen," he says.

Monday through Friday, Kolper's hosts several events such as the Monday night wing contest, kar"aoke on Tuesday, trivia on Wednesdays and Thursday, of course, is ladies' night. When the weekend comes, Kolper's undergoes a transformation after 10 p.m. into Club Kolper's with a DJ spinning out beats live.

"We push the tables back and make a dance floor. We have a bit of something for everyone," say Singh, adding that "people should give us a fair chance to prove ourselves."

Whether you're a business owner, community organization or just a neighborhood regular, if you have a business opening or that has recently opened tell us about. You could find your new business featured in our development news section.

The Baltimore-based Parks & People Foundation, is offering up to $1,000 for groups interested in greening their neighborhood. The monies, part of a partnership with the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Cleaner Greener Baltimore Initiative, provides up to $1,000 in Neighborhood Greening Grants for those planning projects that will plant trees, create community gardens, clean up and restore vacant lots, clean up neighborhoods, create green schoolyards, improve water quality improve and provide environmental education activities. Grant funds may also be used for tools, plant material, equipment and other needed supplies.

Remember when all it took to curry favor with the teacher was a shiny apple? That's so not going to cut it anymore.

Seawall Development Corporation is raising the bar for sweet teacher treatment to dizzying heights with the development of not one, but two commercial-residential spaces designed specifically for the needs and comfort of Baltimore's educators.

The story begins with Millers Court, the Remington/Charles Village space at W. 26th and N. Howard Streets that Seawall opened for occupancy last month. The original home of the H.F. Miller Can Company, the 86,000-square-foot, turn-of-the-century building was divided by Seawall, along with Marks, Thomas Architects and Contractor Hamel Builders (both of Baltimore), into 30,000 square feet of commercial office space and 40 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The hook? The office space was marketed specifically to non-profits working in education, and the apartments to teachers, who receive discounts on rent.

It gets better. Seawall has recently initiated the purchase of a second building, Union Mill, that will follow the same pro-educator commercial-residential template. Completed in 1872 and located at Union and Buena Vista Avenues in Hampden, Union Mill is Maryland's largest stone mill and has been occupied over the years by Life Like Products, LLC and Life Foam, LLC. Seawall will team with the same architect and contractor to convert the 86,000 square foot building into 54 apartments for teachers and 36,000 square feet of commercial office space for non-profits (in all sectors).

Evan Morville, a partner at Seawall, says he shares a strong desire to help educators with his colleagues, Thibault Manekin and Donald Manekin, who was CEO of the Baltimore School System in the early 2000s.

"Each year there are 750 new teachers hired by Baltimore City, and about 50% are new to Baltimore," Evan explains. "The idea behind Millers Court and Union Mill is to be able to roll out the red carpet for these new teachers because they don't know the ideal place to live, and knowing their minimal salary, we wanted to create a place where they could come and feel welcome."

According to Morville, Seawall developed a special market research group with the help of Millers Court tenant Teach for America to determine the specific needs of teachers, and as a result included such amenities as an in-house photocopy center, a fitness center, a lounge and a courtyard. With their discount, educators can rent a one-bedroom apartment at Millers Court for $700-800 a month, a two-bedroom for $1,250, and a three-bedroom for $1,500. Projected rents at Union Mill are $875 for one bedroom and $1,475 for two.

The set-up for commercial space is novel, Morville notes, in that it enables non-profits, who might normally be spread out across the city, to share bathrooms, conference rooms and kitchens in order to reduce their overhead. Non-profits spend about $18 per-square-foot.

"We feel education is the greatest economic tool Baltimore has," Morville says. "The only way Baltimore can truly complete its renaissance is by having a school system that supports its ongoing residential and commercial development." And vice versa.

Source: Evan Morville, Seawall Development Corp.
Writer: Lucy Ament