Shop Local : Development News

After seven years in Canton, Crimson & Clover Floral Design Inc. is packing up its bouquets and heading to North Baltimore. The florist will open in an expanded shop at 733 Deepdene Road later in June.

At 1,522 square feet, the new shop is two-thirds bigger than the previous location. The larger space will give owner Amy Epstein the room add more flowers to her stock and hold meetings with brides-to-be or event planners. With about 80 weddings booked each a year, nuptials are a good chunk of Crimson & Clover's business, she says.

Though business from passersby has slowed somewhat due to the down economy, Epstein says she can still rely on the wedding business. "People will always get married and they're going to need flowers for their wedding." Wedding planners, however, might spend $20,000 instead of $50,000 nowadays.

The new space includes a large, walk-in cooler that will allow her to make custom bouquets on the spot.
"We didn't physically have the space for more people and flowers," Epstein says. "I have been turning away brides on weekends."

Epstein, who spent $50,000 on the new location, says she hopes the Roland Park will offer more foot traffic and easy access to area's affluent residents. Another plus is the neighborhoods accessibility. It's easy for  to people in Baltimore City as well as Baltimore County to get there, Epstein says.

"I like the idea of being more central to the city and county," she says. "We do a lot of business in the counties. I do feel that this is more accessible and central to our clients."

The store is in the same shopping center as gourmet grocer Eddie's of Roland Park. It's also close to four schools, three banks, a pharmacy and Starbucks. 


Source: Amy Epstein, Crimson & Clover
Writer: Julekha Dash

Fells Point has got a new boss in town. Clothing boutique Kingpin Baltimore opened this month at 1924 Fleet St.

Co-owner Jennifer Wiseman thought the store name Kingpin � which means a group leader � was appropriate for the fashion-forward street wear clothes the store sells.

The 1,700-square-foot store also features a personal training studio operated by Charles Wiseman, co-owner and Jennifer's husband.

The store sells trendy activewear brands including Margarita, a brand from Israel and Psycho Bunny, a menswear brand from British designer Robert Godley who is engaged to "30 Rock's" Jane Krakowski.

Having worked in the fitness industry, the pair wanted to come up with fun fitness-related concepts. "I wanted something for people to feel better about themselves," Wiseman says.

After months of searching for the right space, the Wisemans found a "wonderful" landlord who would finally rent out a space to the first-time business owners, Wiseman says.

Wiseman declined to say how much the couple spent to open and design the store. The store is outfitted in black-and-white checkered gold-and-green walls and will feature a live DJs on the weekends.

The couple chose Fells Point it gets a lot of foot traffic and is easy to reach from downtown and other areas of the city.

"The location is perfect because everyone can get to it," Wiseman says.

Source: Jennifer Wiseman, Kingpin
Writer:Julekha Dash

In a move to help promote local sustainability, Anne Arunde County Executive John R. Leopold and Annapolis Mayor Joshua J. Cohen have teamed up to certify and recognize green restaurants that are using locally grown products, improving energy efficiency, conserving water and providing environmental education.
 

If you've noticed that Hampden's Avenue seems a little less bright this week that may be because the Shine Collective has left its long-time home on 36^th Street for a new space in the Clipper Mill Complex.

"I know it seems illogical for a retailer to move from a retail street. But, really, for us I think it was more that we get the opportunity to use this beautiful space. It's rare in the city and still within a mile of the avenue," says Campbell.

The new store, located at 2010 Clipper Park Road, in a former artist's loft behind Woodberry Kitchen, will enable owners Jamie Campbell and Melissa Kirby, to do more.

The boutique's new home has huge windows in an area surrounded by nature � a rarity in any city. It has "super high ceilings" and much more space that will allow Campbell and Kirby to better showcase their designer accessories and clothing. "It's a beautiful part of the city. There're train tracks and there's a river over there and trees everywhere. The architecture of the Mill is so inspiring."

"What made me feel this was the right thing is all the talented people that came out of the woodwork to help us. Carpenters and artists and friends that said, 'you guys are doing something special here. We want to be a part of it, too. It was really kind of amazing," she says.

"We also wanted to shift our focus a little bit toward our website. We came to this crossroads. We have the store. We have a following, but we don't have the right kind of space to work on the photography and the product and the website. We're building backwards in a way, forming our headquarters and building out from there," Campbell explains.

Though the shop has moved from a rowhouse to a loft-like space, shoppers will find a sort of bohemian and homey �lan at the new location.

"It was a rather rough artist studio that we've softened up with paint, our color scheme and adding some homey touches to it. We put in a mantel we found at Houseworks. It feels like a living room in somebody's loft apartment. I had a friend to Venetian plaster in our dressing rooms. It's really nice and doesn't feel cold like a modern loft. It's kind of funky," she says.

The location is not the only thing that is changing at Shine. Campbell says that they will continue to offer a wide variety of accessories and jewelry, adding new jewelry and bag lines in the spring.

"We're definitely going to focus more on key pieces instead of volume. We're going to keep some of the clothing lines, but shift to focus on dresses and pieces you can add to your wardrobe that are going to be essential but not basic."

Shine will no longer carry denim. "We're finding that our customers really want a top or a dress that no one else has. We want to stay on our original course trying to find pieces you can't find anywhere else."

"We really appreciate how far along Hampden has come. [Melissa] set started a new thing. She was the first person to open a boutique like this in Hampden. She grew out of her old space on Roland [Avenue] and moved to the new space on the Avenue. Now we feel like we're changing and growing again. This is just the next step in our evolution. We like being pioneers in that way."

Source: Jamie Campell, Shine Collective
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Shonnette Boone and Tracy Richardson have had a talent for creating trendy accessories since the two were children. "we both had a creative mind for modern fashion trends in the accessory world. We collaborated together to create a chest full of treasures with a twist of honey for the world to taste, says Boone.

So, when the opportunity came to fulfill a lifelong dream and open their own boutique in Federal Hill, the two never looked back. " [Tracy] and I use to call ourselves honeybees when we were growing up, so when we decided to open our business we incorporated the name into our trade name," Boone continues.

Thus Honey's Treasure Chest Accessories Boutique was born. The business, a first for the Baltimore natives, offers accessories designed by Richardson as well as other designers at prices that every woman can afford.

"Treasures for the outerwear such as necklaces, earrings, rings, brooches, handbags, wallets, bracelets, scarfs, and shawls. We are economically friendly, according to our customers. Prices range from $10.00 to $150.00," she explains.

The pair chose Federal Hill because of its festive vibe as well as its network of established boutiques that draw in shoppers and cater to them. And, so far, the response to Honey's has been very good with buyers picking up favorites including, jeweled, flower, and sequin bib necklaces, clustered stone, cocktail and pearl rings, drape necklaces, and cleopatra necklaces, says Boone, who adds that it's the boutique's mission to "offer "Red Carpet" trends for all generations at everyday consumer prices." that sets the store apart from other accessory boutiques.

"We specialize in unique accessories, styles and fashion for various occasions, that will make your wardrobe "POP". Our jewelry is fabulous, with a mixture of vintage, costume, and ethnic pieces. We are the boutique that makes a fashion statement, this is the year of the "WOW" accessories. No matter if your wardrobe is old or new, with our selection we are sure to please," she explains.

Boone and Richardson plan to expand the boutique's offerings in the future to include women's clothing. They will include a line designed by Richardson as well as other trendy but affordable fashions.

Source: Shonnette Boone, Honey's Treasure Chest Accessories Boutique
Writer: Walaika Haskins

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

Opening small specialty stores during the holiday season has been going on at malls for years. This year, however, the phenomenon has taken a different form and hit Harbor East's Legg Mason tower. Dubbed pop-up stores, the short-lived boutiques are a trend out of New York City where restaurants and a variety of shops spring up in one location one week and then disappear, only to pop-up in another.
 
Dresscode by Gita, Patrick Sutton Home, Shine Collective, Doubledutch and Di[e]ce (pronounced "deece") will take up temporary residence in the lobby of the Legg Mason tower at 199 International Drive. Dresscode and Patrick Sutton opened Dec. 4 and will remain open until Christmas Eve. Di[e]ce will stay open until New Year's Eve. Shine Collective will also hold a Pop Up Party Kick-Off on Thurs. Dec. 10. from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Source: Patrick Sutton Home
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Children grow so quickly it leaves many parents facing a double dilemma -- how much to spend on their children's clothes and what to do with the clothes they've out grown. Well, two area moms, Portia Romond and Pintet Halasan, think they've found a solution with a new shop in Fells Point, Jack and Immy Children's Consignment.

"We're both moms with young families and we live in the neighborhood and wanted to start our own business. [Pintet] actually came up with the idea of chidren's consignment because its a business we were able to get up off the ground without taking out loans and having a huge financial burden. Also, we thought it was a good time right now with the economy being what it is and its an environmentally-friendly way to shop," explains Romond

The shop takes in brand name clothes from high-end chidren's gear for infants through size 12 from Ralph Lauren, Baby Phat, Nordstrom, Janey and Jack to Osh Kosh, The Gap and Old Navy, and offers a 50/50 deal. Once the clothing has sold, clients can either accept payment for their items via check or store credit.

"We're trying to be pretty high end and high quality. Not super high-end, but name brands and high quality and make sure there's nothing stained or has holes or anything like that. Most consignment shops only offer a 60/40 deal," Romond says.

Because they live in the neighborhood and know how much area moms want to spend, the pair are trying to keep their pricing very moderate. "It's a balance because you want to let the consigners make a little money as well."

The store, located at 2108 Fleet Street, is named after the women's two youngest children, Jack and Imogen and officially opened for business on Nov. 7. It has the feel of a boutique that will appeal to shoppers as well as a play area for children where they can color, read a book and play while their mother or father shops.

Jack and Immy's is open Tues. through Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 410-732-0195.

Become a fan of  Jack and Immy on Facebook.

Source: Portia Romond, Jack and Immy Children's Consignment
Writer: Walaika Haskins

With one shoe boutique under her belt in Fells Point, Kelley Krohn Heuisler is ready to take her shoes down the road to Annapolis. The new location opens in mid-November in the Annapolis Towncenter at Parole.

"I think I have a successful business model that will work for women in Annapolis," Heuisler says.

Centered around the philosophy of providing quality, stylish shoes at multiple price points, the Fells Point store is a popular destination for shoe lovers whether they can spend $50 or $300. Heuisler says she selects her merchandise based on quality rather than brand names and would rather deal with smaller shoe manufacturers whose focus is on quality rather than quantity. The boutique also sells accessories at multiple price points including earrings, headbands and handbags.

Like the Baltimore store, the new location will include a variety of styles selected to appeal to Annapolis women. While shoppers may not be treated to some of the more fanciful styles available in Baltimore, they will still find classic and stylish shoes and accessorie at multiple price points.

Source: Kelley Krohn Heuisler, owner
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Unusual times call for unusual enterprises. That's the philosophy of Baltimore-based graphic designer and graffiti artist Adam Stab, whose boutique End Times Trading Post � a collaboration with Ginny Lawhorn � will bring a bounty of one-of-a-kind, custom-made merchandise to Fells Point starting in October.

"The name is basically my take on where we are on the timeline of the human experience," Stab says of End Times, located at 1709 Aliceanna Street. "There's kind of a put-up-or-shut-up desperation to how we're seeing humanity handle our own growth and technology. Are we on the precipice of doing ourselves in, or will we be forced to the point where things are so rough we're going to figure it out? Whatever direction we go, I feel like we're at the end of where things have being going and at the beginning of what's next."

Given Stab's worldview, it's no wonder End Times' merchandise will be a study in deconstruction. The boutique is guaranteed a home run with its couture clothing, designed in-house, made entirely of reused, donated clothing. A Tommy Hilfiger shirt could end up a pair of women's shorts; a dress might emerge from a DKNY skirt.

"Everything's a cultural web, a remix of the original. We respect the origin of the style, but we break it down in the studio and take it in different a direction," says Stab. But don't let the couture concept scare you: this proprietor's adamant that these one-of-a-kind garments be affordable. A one-piece dress could be as little as $55; tops and shorts sets around $80.

End Times, which opens Oct. 3 during the Fells Point Fun Festival, will also offer a wide array of highly stylized accessories. Stab and Lawhorn are partnering with a Philadelphia-based firm to offer custom-painted tennis and are bringing in jewelry from local artists, some of it "rough-and-tumble, gritty and urban" and some delicate and floral. All will be from small runs, which should ensure that patrons' purchases won't pop up on everyone else's necks, wrists and fingers like mass-marketed trinkets from H&M.

"We have a desire to run a boutique that will help recreate the atmosphere Fells Point used to have, when the stores were eclectic and it was easy to have a fun shopping day because prices were reasonable," say Stab, who moved with his family to Baltimore as a teenager and recalls riding his skateboard regularly to the neighborhood. ("It was my available getaway," he says.)

In the interest of providing gift options for its patrons, End Times will devote its wallspace to artwork from local artists and will also invite local artists to avail themselves of a vast quantity of 1950s and 1960s molds that Stab has inherited. Stab hopes the artwork they create from the molds, which of course will be for sale, will offer customers a fresh but equally quirky alternative to the plastic Japanese toys and tchotchkes that are now en vogue.

Source: Adam Stab, End Times Trading Post
Writer: Lucy Ament

When Mindy Alezra and her family fell in love with a vacant building on the corner of S. Ann and Gough Streets in upper Fells Point, the juxtaposition of the two names brought to their minds the tormented, ear-bereft Dutch painter. It was only after they'd settled on the name Van Gough Caf� for a first-floor coffee shop that they discovered locals pronounce Gough "guff" and not "go." Oh well. They dig the name and they're sticking with it.

Alezra, who purchased the imposing three-story brick building at 300 S. Ann St. with her husband Max and daughter and son-in-law Loni and Nick Diamond, says she's wanted her entire life to open a cafe.

"This building was calling to me saying, ok this is it, this is your opportunity," she says. "I want to know people, so I always wanted a little coffee shop where regular customers would come in, like in the bar Cheers. A place where they would know who we were and we would know who they were."

Alezra and her team capitalized on the exposed brick, hardwood floors and massive, hardwood bar to establish a relaxed atmosphere for the 900-square-foot caf�, which opens next month. There will be the requisite wi-fi, couches, tables and bar stools, and also plenty of artwork by local artists on display in keeping with the caf�'s name. The cafe will offer standard coffee shop fare, including specialty coffees, smoothies, paninis, sandwiches, salads, and bagels from Goldberg's New York Bagels on Reisterstown Road.

But the quartet's contribution to Fells Point development doesn't stop there. They have also renovated the top two floors into an 1,800 square-foot single-family home boasting six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a whopping 24 windows, and a brand new electrical wiring throughout. The home will be available to rent in a few weeks, Alezra says.

Fells Point has not only proven the ideal neighborhood for a coffee shop, says Alezra, but exceedingly helpful to business owners. Support from the community facilitated the permits process, she says, and a grant from Fells Point Main Street has enabled the new owners to redo the building's 1920 fa�ade.

"We love Fells Point," says Alezra, who with her husband came to Baltimore six years ago from Milwaukee. "It's quaint, it has so much character. It's just a unique and amazing place."

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Mindy Alezra, Van Gough Caf�

If you think finding a parking spot in the heart of Fells Point is hard, try being a boater. Slips to, well, slip into for an evening of shopping and dining on dry land are relatively scarce, but there will be quite a few more next spring thanks to Brown's Wharf.

The development, which contains more than 105,000 square feet of restaurants, retail and office space, will begin construction this fall on 19 40-foot slips and 210 feet of side ties (spaces where boaters can moor parallel to the dock). The marina by the time boating season begins next spring.

"We bought the building three years ago, and we were aware there had once been a marina there and that there was in fact a marina in that location in the master plan of Baltimore Harbor," says Brad Dockser, managing partner for ownership group, Brown's Wharf, LLC. "It was always our intention to rebuild a marina there, in part to activate the waterfront to increase activity there. We spent last year designing and thinking about what we wanted."

While some of the mooring spaces will be available for month- or yearlong rentals, others will be made available on an overnight basis. Dockser says the marina will not only be a revenue source for the management company, but will bring more customers to Brown's Wharf businesses.

"Most 40-foot boats don't have a kitchen," Dockser notes. "Because of the demographics of boating, we anticipate that more people will come to Fells Point for an overnight stay and dine at places like Kali's Court or Meli. Or, if they want something more informal, they'll go eat at a place like Shuckers."

Dockser says rates and policies for the marina should be determined by early 2010.

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Brad Dockser, Brown's Wharf, LLC

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Maryland residents Marc and Laura Rosen are teaming up to bring a 63,000-square-foot family entertainment venue to Hunt Valley Towne Centre in Hunt Valley, Md.

MVP Entertainment, which opens early next year, will feature an upscale-dining and express restaurant, a sports bar, two high-tech golf simulators, a coffee and gelato bar, a memorabilia/pro-shop, billiard tables, and 38 bowling lanes equipped flat screen televisions and state-of-the-art entertainment technology.  The facility will also have several private reception areas with their own bowling lanes and catering for corporate events or private parties of more than 2000 people.

"This concept is unique in that it offers so many different entertainment choices under one roof," says Laura Rosen. "Whether you're dining in our premier restaurant and bar, attending a private event in our VIP lounge, or just bowling with family or friends, MVP Entertainment will be exciting and high energy."

Brian Gibbons, CEO of Hunt Valley Towne Centre developer Greenberg Gibbons, notes that "with the range of dining and entertainment options, the facility offers something for everyone in the community. It will be great for senior citizen leagues, kids' parties, corporate outings, adult fun and much more."

Formerly the Hunt Valley Mall, Hunt Valley Towne Center was converted into a 980,000-square-foot lifestyle center boasting 260,000 square feet of space in an open air "Main Street" environment. The centre, which opened in 2005, features a 140,000-square-foot Wegmans and a collection of nearly fifty shops and sit-down and casual restaurants.

An invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony for MVP Entertainment, which plans to expand to cities "anchored" by professional sports franchises, will be held on Sept. 15.

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Greenberg Gibbons

Restaurant-goers who like to eat where it's edgy will delight in the arrival of The Reserve, a new Federal Hill eatery that's brought a jolt of industrial chic to 1542 Light Street. After a soft opening, owners Andrew Dunlap, Sean White, and Thomas Brown recently unveiled the restaurant's full menu and it has brought business up to a rolling boil.

"I think The Reserve brings a whole new atmosphere to Federal Hill," says Brown. "It's kind of like bringing a D.C. type place to Baltimore but not taking it too far. D.C.-style bars don't usually work in Baltimore; every time I've seen them come they never last."

With it's concrete floors and countertops, stainless steel embellishments, and exposed beams and duct work, The Reserve is a study in cool, clean lines. It has an L-shaped bar that stretches across half of the first floor, which is painted in shades of blue, gray and silver, and another in the back, which is used for private engagements. Beer taps are embedded in a stone wall, and patrons are invited to watch the chefs at work through a large open window.

"We're bringing customers very high quality foods at very reasonable, Baltimore prices and in a relaxed atmosphere," Brown says. "Seafood is delivered every day, we serve top of the line filet and we offer a seasonal menu that changes four times a year."

While the entrees cover the standard surf and turf repertoire, it's the preparation at The Reserve that's intriguing. The calamari appetizer comes with a tomato hazelnut vinaigrette; the tuna with a crispy pineapple mille feuille with soy ginger vinaigrette; the bison burger with a jalapeno cream, raw onion, cucumber & red pepper coulis.

Brown says The Reserve will begin featuring sushi on Sundays as well as live music. The restaurant also has a second floor, which will open in three-to-six months.

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Thomas Brown, The Reserve

"Small plate" savorers can soon mix and munch at a new Fells Point location: a Spanish tapas restaurant called Adela that's slated to open Oct. 1.

Located on the South Broadway side of the Admiral Fell Inn, Adela is the latest brainchild of Kali's Restaurant Group, which has brought to Fells Point a suite of high quality and sophisticated restaurants at varying price points. (There's the group's marquee restaurant, Kali's Court; the bistro Meli with its elegant, ample entrees all below $20; and Mezze, a Greek/Turkish tapas restaurant on the Thames side of the Admiral hotel).

Darin Mislan, who handles operations for Kali's Restaurant Group, says the success of Mezze has signaled an interest in small plate dining, and that traditional Spanish fare seemed the obvious way to go. The group has created for Adela a traditional Spanish atmosphere, with a mosaic tiled bar, traditional wrought iron, Spanish motifs, and a courtyard boasting a lush garden. The restaurant can seat roughly 120 diners, and includes a private room, accommodating 12, that overlooks the courtyard.

"We're going to have a very active bar and cocktail scene, with a fantastic wine list centered in Spain and specialty cocktails," says Mislan, adding that the menu will include lots of Spanish cheeses and cured meats. "It will be a spot to go and grab a glass of wine and have a bite to eat before going home to have dinner with the family, or a place to bring a group and make a night of it."

Another sign of authenticity? "We're getting very, very serious about sangria," Mislan says. "The chef and bartender have been researching different types, and we have some guys who just got back from Brazil and Spain who are helping us."

A fixture in Fells Point since 1999, Kali's Group hasn't seen a need to branch out to other neighborhoods.

"We've had great success in Fells Point," Mislan notes. "We've had huge neighborhood support. We've always looked for unique and beautiful properties, and because Fells Point is historic district, we find so many here. We're not the kind of group that goes into strip malls."

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Darin Mislan, Kali's Group