Federal Hill Carryout Closes
Federal Hill Carryout at 1538 Light St. closed its doors at the end of the year. The carryout and delivery restaurant that specialized in pizza, subs, Greek dishes, and late-night food was under its second ownership as Federal Hill Carryout. The space was previously home to Uncle Pete’s Grille and J&P’s.
UMB Live Near Your Work Program Targets SoWeBo
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is offering grants for eligible employees who buy homes in the nearby Southwest Baltimore neighborhoods of Barre Circle, Franklin Square, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Pigtown/Washington Village, Poppleton, and Union Square. From UMB:
The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Live Near Your Work (LNYW) Program is a homebuying assistance benefit for University employees that offers money toward the down payment and closing costs of homes in select Southwest Baltimore neighborhoods, including the purchase of a home requiring major renovations. Applications for the LNYW Program will be available Jan. 29, 2018.
UMB will contribute $16,000 per eligible participant. In addition, participants will be eligible to receive a matching grant of up to $2,500 from the Baltimore City Live Near Your Work Program.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Coming to Harborplace
Annapolis-based restaurant Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is opening a location at the Pratt St. Pavilion in Inner Harbor’s Harborplace. From Baltimore Business Journal:
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls serves five versions of the culinary treat on rolls imported from a signature lobster roll bakery in New England, Beck said. The meat is caught off the Maine coast and cooked and picked there before being shipped south.
Beck said the company is also planning to expand this coming year to Reston, Virginia, and historic Charleston, South Carolina.
Over a five-year period, Mason’s could grow by up to 30 franchises, he said. The upfront cost for a franchisee is no more than $275,000, depending on the location.
Mason’s also has a location at Belvedere Square in North Baltimore.
Harborplace is currently undergoing a renovation by new owner Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp.
More Changes at Harborplace
There are a lot of changes taking place at Harborplace with its redevelopment in full swing. This includes the closing of Urban Outfitters which closed its two-story store in the Light Street Pavilion on January 7th. Urban Outfitters is closing several stores throughout the country, according to Baltimore Business Journal.
Other changes include Hooters soon relocating within the Light Street Pavilion to a first-floor space facing Light St. With the redevelopment, Light Street Pavilion will maintain its mall-style layout with interior entrances to stores.
The Pratt Street Pavilion will have large footprints with stores being accessible from Pratt St. and the Inner Harbor. It will also have a second floor market called the Market at Harborplace.
Blackwall Hitch Coming to Pratt Street
Another Annapolis-based restaurant is coming to Downtown as Eastport’s Blackwall Hitch is opening in a retail space at 700 E. Pratt St. From Baltimore Business Journal:
As one of Baltimore’s older office buildings gets ready for a $15 million re-do to install an industrial-chic SoHo look, the work has attracted a new upscale restaurant tenant.
Blackwall Hitch recently signed a deal to move into 10,300 square feet of space on the ground level of 700 E. Pratt St., the former Candler Building located across the street from the Inner Harbor waterfront.
The restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating and is expected to open this fall.
Punch! Expanding to D.C.
Federal Hill boutique Punch! is opening a second location in Washington D.C. from its Instagram:
Punch owner Cydney Vigliotti also owns a boutique in owns a boutique in Texas.