Commercial Real Estate : Development News

Baltimore's Pigtown neighborhood claim to fame may soon no longer be its annual festival that lets the porcine creatures run through the streets.

The area, also known as Washington Village, will be home to a Caribbean restaurant and a wine-and-cheese shop in the coming months. These businesses follow a flurry of others that are moving into the southwest Baltimore neighborhood.

In April, Michael Mekbib will open Spiritas, a wine and beer store that will hold monthly tastings  at 786 Washington Blvd. And Steel Drum Caf� will offer Caribbean fare and an upstairs lounge featuring Wii games next month. The owners of both businesses are Washington, D.C., natives who saw potential in Pigtown. 

With more young professionals moving into the area, Mekbib says he wanted to be part of the "new wave" of development that caters to them. He first heard about Pigtown from a cousin who owns a building in the neighborhood. "The place is changing," Mekbib says. "The middle class is moving in."

He will invest $40,000 to open the 1,400-square-foot property. He received a $15,000 grant from Pigtown Main Street to use on the building's facade.

Streel Drum CafeOwner Bernard Sanders says he will spend more than $200,000 to open his 3,000-square-foot restaurant at 771 Washington Blvd.  He says he was encouraged by all the businesses moving into the area.

Those businesses include Perfecto Coffeehouse, which opened last month on the same block. (See related story). Other businesses that opened in recent months include Velvet Rose Beauty Bar and Gallery 788.

Daryl Landy , executive director of Pigtown Main Street, says the once-dormant Washington Boulevard is starting to get attention as more people move in.  According to Live Baltimore Inc., 45 homes were sold in the area during the first half of 2009 and 119 were sold in 2008.

"It's virgin territory, untapped," Landy says of Pigtown. "People are starting to discover it."

Sources: Daryl Landy, Pigtown Main Street; Michael Mekbib, Spiritas; Berhard Sanders, Steel Drum Caf�
Writer: Julekha Dash

The Station North Arts and Entertainment District will welcome a $12 million artists' residence and gallery by the end of the year, furthering city officials' goal to make the area north of Mount Vernon a magnet for creative types.
 
A team of four developers and the Rouse Co. Foundation are leading the City Arts project, an 80,000-square-foot building with 69 rental units and eight townhomes that will go on sale.

The developers are currently looking for someone who can book performers and find artists to display their work on the walls, says Charlie Duff, president of Jubilee Baltimore Inc., one of the developers. The other developers are Homes for America Inc., TRF Development Partners-Baltimore and Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development. Southway Builders Inc. is the general contractor.

Duff envisions City Arts as a place that can help retain artists in Station Arts after they hit 25. The Station North area is chock full of "cheap grubby space" that appeals to the recent college graduate, but few spaces for folks in their late 20s, Duff says.
 
"Eventually, people want to settle down and go to bed earlier and they can't do it now in Station North," he adds. "We want this building to become part of the Station North scene as it evolves."

The neighborhood is home to long-time businesses Tapas Teatro and Everyman Theatre. In recent years, it has attracted new arts organizations, including Single Carrot Theatre and the Strand Theater Co.

The City Arts project at 440 E. Oliver Street was financed with the federal low-income housing tax credit. Rents will cost $625 for a one-bedroom apartment and $750 for a two-bedroom apartment.

Prices for the townhomes have not been set yet, Duff says.


Source: Charlie Duff, Jubilee Baltimore Inc.
Writer: Julekha Dash

The Hotel Brexton, a 29-room boutique hotel in Mount Vernon has hired Paul Masai as its general manager and will open its doors to the public Feb. 12.

A native of Kenya, Masai was formerly the assistant manager at the Inn at the Colonnade. The Charles Village property and the Hotel Brexton are both is owned by Richard Naing. Masai has also held management positions at the Holiday Inn Inner Harbor and the Tremont Plaza Hotel.

After a nearly $5 million restoration, developer RWN Development Group is reviving the historic 129-year-old Mount Vernon hotel following years of disrepair and nearly two decades of vacancy. Hotel officials are counting on its proximity to universities and hospitals to draw business, Masai says.

The hotel is close to the University of Baltimore and the Maryland Institute College of Art and not far from Mercy Medical Center. By the end of the month, the hotel will house a cafe and ice cream shop managed by Gifford's Ice Cream, a chain in the Greater Washington area that has a location in Pikesville. The cafe will serve breakfast and snacks and offer outdoor seating during warmer months.

Designed by Kann Partners and built by HOD Contractors, the property was built in 1881 as a residential hotel. Hotel designers have left many original details, including a circular staircase and a pentagon-shaped elevator. The hotel also includes a Wallis Simpson Suite in honor of the Duchess of Windsor, who lived in the Brexton as a child.

Rooms at the hotel will cost between $139 and $179.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Paul Masai, Hotel Brexton

A fast-growing pizza franchise is moving into Charles Village and plans to open 10 to 12 new stores this year.

Ledo Pizza System Inc. of Annapolis will open a 108-seat standalone restaurant next month at 3105 St. Paul Street near Johns Hopkins University and the Baltimore Museum of Art. That is according to the restaurant's General Manager and franchisee Burhan Ahmed.

He and his three partners invested $400,000 in the new restaurant. The bulk of that money is going toward equipment, design and construction. The restaurant will employ 40 and house two separate dining areas. Construction on the store began last month.

The pizza chain, which currently counts 90 locations, is eyeing Northern Virginia, Prince George's County and West Virginia  for the new stores it plans to open this year, Ledo's Vice President of Marketing Will Robinson says.

Though the average Ledo Pizza restaurant is between between 2,000 to 2,500 square feet, Ahmed plans to go bigger with the Charles Village eatery. He hopes the 3,500-square-foot restaurant can attract Johns Hopkins students and staff craving its square-shaped, thin-crust pizza, pasta and salads. Pizzas will cost between $6 and $25, depending on the size.

The Charles Village restaurant will also serve beer and wine as Ahmed has applied for a "Class B" liquor license, available to business owners that invest more than $200,000 into a new restaurant.  Store owners are also applying for a license to cater and serve customers outside during the warmer months.

Ahmed expects the restaurant to open between March 15 and March 25.


Sources: Will Robinson, Ledo PIzza;  Burhan Ahmed, Ledo Pizza
Writer: Julekha Dash

Crystal Brown, a Baltimore native, always knew she wanted to own a boutique. Frequently in the neighborhood, Brown had noticed that there didn't seem to be anywhere for people to go if they just wanted to grab a soda or a quick snack. So, when the barbershop at 830 E. Baltimore Street closed its doors, she knew just what to do with the somewhat abbreviated space.

"I knew I wanted a boutique, but I never envisioned that it would be a candy boutique. I knew there where places where you could get a cheesesteak, but no where to get a snack or anything fun. When the barbershop moved out I said wow this space is very compact. I knew the places I took my kids to the candy store and when used to go the corner store for candy," she recalls.

Brown's first concept for Sugarush Candy Boutique was a bulk candy store, but state health restrictions convinced her that a less complicated approach with penny candies and other tried and true favorites was the way to go.

"Everybody loves candy. I was thinking about a business that would be recession proof and if you look at the numbers, candy and alcohol soar through the recession. Everyone is really excited, especially about the penny candy. They're like 'wow, its really a penny!'"

In addition to penny candies such as Fruities, Tootsie Rolls, Double Bubble and Albert's Chews, Brown says she tries to respond quickly to customer requests.

"Whether it be penny candy or something else, like I try to change up the kind of iced tea I carry, I'm trying to get a feel for what people like. [Customers] come in and ask if I carry a candy, if I don't I tell them I'll order it and I'll call them and they'll say 'I'm on the way!'"

The boutique also offers candy bouquets and baskets. Customers can order them custom made or purchase pre-made baskets and bouquets for holidays, baby showers, weddings and other occasions.

Candy, however, was not the focus of a fundraiser Brown organized last Saturday -- Haiti was. With the help of other local businesses, her high school alma mater, Carver, and others, Brown helped raise more than $1000 selling t-shirts, candy bouquets and other items that benefits the Maryland Red Cross and its efforts in Haiti.

"It was great, how much support we received. Everybody pitched in to make it a big success for Haiti. It was a little community event and people came down to support Haiti," she says.

Going forward, Brown hopes to add gourmet candies from small candymakers and also to expand her merchandise to suit customer requests.


Source: Crystal Brown, Sugarush Candy Boutique
Writer: Walaika Haskins

A new PNC branch location has opened its doors and vault for customer deposits in downtown Baltimore. Located at 426 W. Baltimore Street, the branch is another example of PNC Bank's commitment both to its communiities and to the environment.

The LEED-certified building includes window panes that three times more efficient than conventional glass and allow a generous amount of natural "daylighting" in all occupied areas of the building. In addition, the branch offices are equipped with motion sensing light switches, so that when the office is not occupied the lights are automatically turned off. The branch also sports solar shades for windows that block direct sunlight without
eliminating daylight.

Green from top to bottom, the building's roofing material is highly reflective and reduces heat retention; and is supported by trusses and plywood that come from managed forests, which plant multiple trees for each one cut down. Roof projections were designed to shade the building interior from direct sunlight.While the heating and air conditioning systems use 35% less energy. The state of the art plumbing facilitates educed water usage through dual-flush toilets and low-flow faucets.

Inside the new branch, nearly everything is made from recycled material�from the steel structure to the carpet. Pre-manufactured exterior panels reduced construction waste. The paints, adhesives and caulking used during construction do not contribute to greenhouse gases.

Under the lead of Curtis Pope, branch manager, the branch will aid the community as much as it does the environment. Pope, a Baltimore native who grew up in the Northeast section of the city and graduated from Mervo in 1997, says that he wants members of the surrounding community to feel like they can come to the bank for all their needs or just a bit of advise.

"I was born and raised here. There's something about having a branch in the area to kind of help the community rebuild. I love that piece of PNC bank. We can touch both realms of the community - low to moderate incomes and high incomes as well. We want to help change the community one person at a time. I hope that even if we can't do anything for them from a banking aspect because bottom line is you can't help every person, just being able to be that person who people can come in and talk to and put a smile on their faces or listen when they have life changing events and point them in the right direction," he says.

Source: Curtis Pope, PNC Bank
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) is reviewing a proposal submitted by the Southeast Community Development Corporation (SCDC) received in response to its RFP (Request for Proposals) for the former Highlandtown Library Site at 3323 Eastern Avenue in East Baltimore.

If the BDC and city government approves the proposal, it will clear the way for the SCDC to undertake a $1.2 million renovation of the entire building in order to provide 5,045 square feet of office or classroom space on the second and third floors and 2,933 square feet of ground floor retail space.

The SCDC has facilitated a number of community revitalization projects in Highlandtown, including the move of the Creative Alliance to the former Patterson Theatre, and the construction of the Southeast Anchor Library at the site of the former Grand Theatre. Along with many partners, the Southeast CDC operates the Highlandtown Main Street program and the Highlandtown Arts and Entertainment District.

Wolfe Street Development, a wholly owned subsidiary of the SCDC, plans to develop, construct and operate the building. Other team partners include: General Contractor � Hostetter Construction; Architect � RM Sovich Architecture; MEP Engineer � Min Engineering; and Structural Engineering � Carroll Engineering. Wolfe Street Development proposes to purchase the property from the City of Baltimore, which has been vacant since 2007.

The site, at the southwest corner of the Eastern Avenue/Highland Avenue intersection, is located in the Highlandtown Main Street District and is part of the Highlandtown Urban Renewal Area in close proximity to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview Medical Center, I-95 and 895.

Source: Baltimore Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

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

After several months of delay construction has finally begun on Turner Development's Westport Waterfront. Workers have started the first phase of public improvements for the $1.2 billion, 50-acre transit-oriented, mixed-use development, located on Baltimore's Middle Branch of the Patapsco River, including construction of a living shoreline

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to come up with the financing and are finally able to begin work on this project," says Patrick Turner, president of Turner Development Group.

Monies awarded by the Maryland Department of the Environment, a total of $620,500 in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus) funding, will be a portion of the funding used to reconstruct the shoreline and create the waterfront tidal wetlands

The intertidal wetland project will include the installation of an environmental cap and wetland sill as well as a floating boom to minimize floating debris in the wetland. Once the wetland reconstruction is underway, construction of new utilities, roads, landscaping and bike paths will commence in the spring of 2010. Construction of a luxury apartment building by the Landex Companies will begin a year later in 2011.

"The shoreline reconstruction is the first step in making 25 acres of the Westport Waterfront site ready for building construction," says Turner. Our master plan goes beyond a traditional mixed-use community. We're targeting platinum certification under the US Green Building Council's LEED for Neighborhood Development program and the soft shoreline will enhance our efforts." wetland along approximately 900 linear feet of the Patapsco River.

The wetland reconstruction is part of Turner and Baltimore City's strategy to restore the ecology of the Middle Branch, which is home to abundant populations of fish, birds and other wildlife but has suffered from degradation due to decades of industrial development. Restored wetlands improve water quality by filtering contaminants while also providing important habitat for juvenile fish that provide food for larger fish and birds. Wetland restoration in the Middle Branch is a key priority of Baltimore City as it focuses on the redevelopment of the Middle Branch watershed as Baltimore's "green harbor." Turner is planning additional wetland areas in Phase II of his project as part of the development's overall green infrastructure.

Although the recession meant it took a little longer than originally expected to raise the money to start the project, Turner says he expects the project to continue without any additional delays.

"[Now that we've begun] we expect the project to continue to develop. We've still got some hurdles to get through because it's a very complicated financing mechanism to do these types of projects. There are hurdles to get over but every time we accomplish one the next one is easier. The first one is always the most difficult, so as we progress it gets easier," he explains.

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company will act as construction manager for the shoreline reconstruction, wetland installation and infrastructure construction.

Source: Patrick Turner, Turner Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI) has picked Allen & O'Hara Development Co, a subsidiary of Education Realty Trust (ERT) to design, develop and manage graduate student housing for nursing students, medical students and fellows from the adjacent Johns Hopkins Medical Institute (JHMI) and other students from Universities in close proximity to the new housing.

Though Johns Hopkins University currently provides limited housing for the graduate students on the medical center campus, the state-of-the-art 20-story high-rise apartment building will house the more than 4,000 students currently enrolled at the JHMI schools will be the primary residents of the new state of the art 20-story, high-rise apartment community. A portion of the current housing will be taken out of service when the new project opens.

"Education Realty Trust and its subsidiaries are delighted to have been chosen to execute all the aspects of this graduate student housing project for the prestigious Johns Hopkins Medical Institute," says Tom Trubiana, Chief Investment Officer for ERT. "Being an integral part of the major urban re-development project untaken by EBDI is very exciting and gratifying as well. It requires a significant amount of collaboration and cooperation to develop quality housing at affordable rents. We couldn't be more pleased with the efforts of all of our partners to make this project a reality."

The graduate student housing project is just one component in the EBDI's 88-acre urban redevelopment that will include 1.1 million square feet of life science technology space, 400,000 square feet of office and retail space, 2,100 mixed income housing units, parking and a seven-acre campus with a pre-kindergarten to eighth grade public school. The Graduate Housing Project will be located at the corner of Ashland Avenue and North Wolfe Street, across from a three-acre open green space park.

The graduate student high-rise will include 321 apartments (572 beds) in a unit mix of primarily 1-bedroom/1-bath, 2- bedroom/2-bath and efficiency units in proportion to indicated demand levels. The project will also feature various amenities for residents including a green roof for socializing and gathering, a fitness center, as well as meeting and study rooms. The units will have hardwood floors, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, along with washers and dryers in each unit and high speed internet access linked directly into the University computer system. Allen & O'Hara will seek LEED's Silver certification for the project.

Allen & O'Hara has selected Marks, Thomas Architects as the lead firm on the architecture and design of the project, and Clark Residential as the general contractor. Both companies have extensive experience in the development of projects in the Baltimore area. Local developer, The Otis Warren Company, has been chosen to assist Allen & O'Hara in the development process. Site entitlements have been obtained, design is well underway and construction is scheduled to begin in June 2010 for a June 2012 opening.

Commencement of construction is subject to execution of final definitive agreements and the ability to securing acceptable financing from several options that are currently being evaluated.

Source: Education Realty Trust
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Jasmine Asian Bistro, the popular Pikesville restaurant, has opened a second location in Timonium at 2141 York Road, just across from the fair grounds. According to John Phang, manager, the owners chose the area because of customer demand.

"We have a lot of customers there and we chose a really good location with a party room large enough for 50 people."

The new restaurant is larger than the original and features a first for Baltimore two tatami rooms - Japanese style dining room - where diners may remove their footwear and relax against a bevy of pillows at the tables that rise just a foot or so above the floor. Each room can seat up to 10. The sushi bar is also larger, seating up to10.

Although the menu still includes many of the favorites fans of the Pikesville restaurant enjoy, there have been a few changes.  "We still sell the best of the best of Asian food - Chinese, Japanese sushi, Thai and Vietamese, but we've made a few additions," Phang says.

Business at the new location, which opened Dec. 14 has been picking up, attracting more customers. "We're doing pretty good now. We even have plans to open new location," he says.

Milan, will officially open on Jan 15, welcoming guests for drinks, small plates or multi-course dinners seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.with extended bar and late dining hours until 1 am.
 
"We are excited to be a part of Baltimore's developing culinary scene and to be able to share the talents of Chef Carey with customers" explains Peter Mooradian, General Manager at Milan.

Dubbing itself, a unique dining destination "where food meets fashion," the restuarant, located at 1000 Eastern Avenue on the cusp of Little Italy and Harbor East will offer its guests an blend of modern Italian cuisine infused with Mediterranean flavor prepared by Executive Chef Stephen Carey. The innovative menu includes fresh grilled steaks, hand-made pastas, bruschetta, flatbreads and Italian-inspired sushi ("sushi Italiano"), as well as top-rated Italian and world wines and blended cocktails inspired by world-renown fashion designers.

Milan's menu was inspired by the Italian and Mediterranean travels of its owner, Smitty. "Everything he saw and tasted while traveling which he documented in a journal, we've used to try and recreate that with this menu. We've created menus that showcase traditional Italian recipes with modern technique," explains Stephen Carey, Executive Chef at Milan. "We're bringing something fresh and innovative to the Baltimore dining scene."

A selection of appetizers, antipasti, bruschettas, flatbreads and salads are available for guests including a selection of three ($12) or five ($19) cured meats and fresh cheeses; Aragosta Pasta e Caci, lobster mac and cheese with chiocciole pasta, smoked gouda b�chamel, white truffle essence, and citus pistacio gremolata ($12); and Caprese di Fungi, portabella mushroom, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, fresh basil and an imported balsamic reduction ($7).

Perhaps the most unusual item on Milan's menu is its "Sushi Italiano," or Italian sushi, an infusion of both Italian and Japanese cuisine. Similar to Crudo, delicate slices of raw fish typcally served with olive oil in Italy, are recreated at the restuarant, and are served with either three ($9) or six ($17) varieties of fresh fish and include Salmon with lemon caper aioli, Hiramasa with a blood orange balsamic glaze, Arctic Char with a basil pesto, Hamachi with roasted red pepper puree, Yellowfin Tuna with red pepper oil and sea salt and White Tuna with lemon oil and pine nuts.

"Crudo is very traditional Italian food, but just hasn't made much over to the U.S. yet. We're the first place to do it in Baltimore. In Italy it's the freshest fish you can have, but raw. I paired each one with a different sauce that would complement that dish. We do sushi rolls by taking the fundamental Japanese sushi and fusing it with Italian and Mediterranean ingredients. We do the rice and nouri but the inside of the rolls are anything but Japanese," says Chef Carey.

Other selections of sushi Italiano include Uva Fogliame Con Salmone, seared salmon, fresh mozzarella, saut�ed mushrooms, sundried tomato, grape leaves and lemon caper aioli ($12) and Milan Rotolo, Avocado, sun dried tomato, fried calamari, nori, seasoned rice, white tuna, yellowfin tuna, basil pesto, and blood orange balsamic glaze ($18).

The menu also includes the traditional pasta and dinner entr�e selections including Ravioli Deconstruito, cold water lobster, jumbo lump crab, shrimp, house made pasta, swiss chard, and pink peppercorn cream sauce ($28). Risotto Capasanta, seared scallops, wild mushrooms, fire roasted corn and white truffle essence ($22), Vitello, 14 oz. veal porterhouse with a wild mushroom risotto cake and smoked tomato demi glace ($38); and Bistecca Con L'Osso, Milan's 20 oz. dry rubbed USDA Choice bone-in ribeye with Yukon gold mash and melted leeks ($42).

House made desserts include Torta di Formaggio, honey ricotta cheesecake with a balsamic strawberry compote and candied rosemary ($8); Milan's Tiramisu ($8); Grand Marnier Cr�me Brulee ($8); and Piatoo di Fromaggio, a selection of Italian cheese ($12).

Milan also offers an extensive selection of specialty cocktails, top-rated wines and bottled domestic and imported beers. Original martinis inspired by the finest fashion houses include the Dolce & Gabbana, Godiva Milk Chocolate Liqueur, Stoli Raz Vodka, a splash of club soda and fresh raspberries ($11) and Gucci Envy, Absolute Apple Vodka, Sour Apple Liquor, and a splash of Midori and pineapple juice ($10). Other handcrafted cocktails include the Passion of Milan, Captain Morgan Passion Fruit, fresh brewed iced-tea, and a splash of lime juice ($8) and a variety of flavorful mojitos ($10-12). Select cocktails will be served at special prices during Milan's happy hour, offered seven days a week from 5-7 pm.

Source: Chef Stephen Carey, Milan
Writer: Walaika Haskins

It's a beautiful news for fans of Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. The so-called lifestyle center will welcome About Faces Day Spa & Salon as well as Reveal MedSpa to the two million square foot mixed used development that includes restuarants, retailers and services along with office space, luxury condos and apartments. 

Visitors to Maryland planning a longer than usual stay now have a new option. The new Marriott Residence Inn located in Hunt Valley, Maryland is now accepting guests. Developed by Skye Hospitality the hotel features 141 suites.

"We are very excited to introduce the Residence Inn brand to Hunt Valley. The Residence Inn is specifically designed to provide everything travelers need to thrive while on long stays," remarked Bill Bello, Skye Hospitality's president.

The hotel is in the heart of Hunt Valley, adjacent to the Light Rail Station, one block from the Hunt Valley Towne Centre and near the area's largest corporations. Hotel guests, whether on business or leisure travel, are also close to attractions such as Oregon Ridge Park, NCR Trail, Pimlico Race Track - Home of the Preakness, Timonium Fairgrounds, Smithwick Horse Farm, Hayfields Country Club and the Hunt Valley Country Club.

In addition to the 141 suites, the hotel offers guests a small conference room to help serve the corporate community's meeting needs. The lobby features separate nooks offering a semi-private location for impromptu meetings and casual conversations over coffee. Guests will also enjoy luxury bedding, complete in-room kitchens, an indoor pool and complimentary amenities such as WiFi, a breakfast buffet, evening social hours and grocery shopping service.

Source: Marriott Residence Inn
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