The popular Dangerously Delicious Pies, which was born in Canton and now resides on Light Street in Federal Hill, will be opening a second location in Hampden this June.  The new location will be at 3547 Chesnut Ave, just off of the Avenue at Hampden. 

http://www.dangerouspies.com/

Supposedly owner Rodney Henry still has dreams of opening a third location in Fells Point that would carry alcohol and be a venue for live music.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

This project illustrates a good point… People seem to get in a dither when projects in Baltimore’s inner harbor get delayed or seem like they are not moving forward. Take for instance the two remaining vacant lots on the harbor 414 Light and 300 Pratt….these projects will get built some day…it’s inevitable…the land is too valuable. 

 The 1.6 billion dollar State Center project should come with more fan fare than most of the other developments we hear about in Baltimore, as this project has the potential to transform Baltimore in a way not seen since the development of the Inner Harbor or Charles Center. 

Click HERE to read the Maryland Daily Record Article

Click HERE to read the Baltimore Sun Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore’s Station North Neighborhood seems to have been getting a lot of attention recently.  It seems as if the area will be getting some more attention very soon.  The Baltimore Examiner reports that the Station North Master Plan will be unveiled at the end of May.  Could this be Baltimore’s next hot area?

Click HERE to read the article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Daily Record reported yesterday that a group of investors hopes to redevelop the run-down North Ave Market in Baltimore’s Station North Arts District.  This plan will complement other recently announced development projects in the area, including a plan to create a new Chinatown nearby.  From the Daily Record:

“In a part of the market where a retail clothing operation stood until about a year-and-a-half ago, a new bar called the Wind-Up Space is slated to open May 6. The bar will feature performances of independent music, art shows and film screenings.

The market’s main stall area, which was once home to the Sacred Zion Full Baptist Church, will be converted into an artists’ collective, featuring craftspeople from the Baltimore Glassworks and the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, and a coffee shop and bookstore operated by the Baltimore Chop, Schechter said.”

Read the Full Article…

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates just gave approval for the purchase of 2.5 million dollars worth of property in the Charles Station North neighborhood which could clear the way for future development.  The deal includes the long sought after Chesapeake restaurant and other properties along Charles and Lanvale Streets.  The Baltimore Development Corp had already selected a developer for the project, however, it’s unclear whether that developer is still involved.  Renderings and a description of the initially planned $50 million project, called Chesapeake Square, are still posted on Peter Fillat Architects website http://www.pfarc.com/chesapeake.html

“Occupying nearly an entire city block, this mixed-use complex will provide new retail, office, residential and parking facilities in the Charles North neighborhood of midtown Baltimore. The Chesapeake House Restaurant, which has been vacant for years, will be converted into street-level retail that will bring a sense of “feet on the street” to the already vibrant block of North Charles Street. The second level will consist of retail space also, and will be integrated with the first level in a mezzanine arrangement. On the third level of the building, office space is being inserted and will connect to an addition planned for the back of the site. Eleven floors of residential condominium space and eleven townhomes comprise the residential component of this project.”

 The project, which is literally a stones throw away from Penn Station, is well poised to take advantage of the transportation centric movement.  The proposed building is also adjacent to the Charles Theatre and several lively bars. 

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

A late night coffee shop, something Baltimore needs more of, has just opened up in Hampden.  “El Rancho Grande”, which is supposedly the antithesis of the average coffee shop, is open Monday through Friday from 6pm to 2am and from 3pm to 9pm on Sundays.   Don’t look for fancy latte’s here and I wouldn’t expect it’d be the type of place to study or flip open your laptop to catch up on e-mails, as El Rancho is supposed to be relatively bohemian in nature.  Looks like it could be a great place for a low key evening out on the town or a unique finish to one of Hampden’s off-center restaurants and cafes.  Look for the turquoise, orange, and purple facade (since there’s no sign).   Also look for an occasional music act.   If anyone makes it over there, please post a comment and let us know how it is.   http://www.myspace.com/itsabigranch

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Thanks to Kate for brining this article from the Daily Record to our attention.  Chinatown in Baltimore - sounds like a great idea.

When most people look at the area surrounding the intersection of North Charles Street and North Avenue, they see vacant row houses, a few large condemned buildings, a fried chicken restaurant and cracked, buckling pavement.

When Tony Cheng looked at it, he saw Chinatown.

The Washington-based restaurateur and businessman, who once owned a restaurant near Mount Vernon Place, has been buying up property in the Station North area of the city with the intention of attracting Chinese and other Asian business owners to a redeveloped arts and entertainment district.

Full article