Baltimore Grows

The news that Starbucks was planning on closing approximately 600 under-performing stores was accompanied with concern by some Baltimore City residents.? Starbucks, which was a relative late-comer to Baltimore compared to other major US cities, is seen by some as a bellwether to a city’s economy.? Starbucks is disparaged by some for supposedly? putting smaller coffee shops out of business, but others feel that? Starbucks helps other shops by? getting more? people hooked on the caffeinated drinks and by spurring other retail developments.?

Regardless of how you look at it, Starbucks has largely spared Baltimore? Area? from? the? closings sweeping across the nation.? The only two locations within the city limits that will close are the locations at Harborplace and Belvedere Square.

Personally, I was surprised to hear the Harborplace location was closing. Whenever I was there, the place was packed with tourists.? Rumor has it, that General Growth which manages the leasing at Harborplace has raised the rent? to push out some of the current retailers in an effort to bring in more “high-end” retail.? California Pizza Kitchen also recently fell victim to high rent at Harborplace and shut its doors.? With this economy, General Growth might just end up with a bunch of vacant storefronts.?

For a list of all Starbucks stores that are closing, follow the link below:

http://i.usatoday.net/money/industries/food/starbucks-list.pdf

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Looking for more BYOB spots? Check Metromix.com: http://baltimore.metromix.com/restaurants/article/high-5-byob/312314/content

For outdoor films, see this story on Metromix.com: http://baltimore.metromix.com/movies/roundup/fresh-air-films/417854/content

Keeping with the theme…here’s another way to save a buck or two: Go to BYOB restaurants. The Winesource in Hampden has started putting together a list of BYO places. Follow this link: http://www.the-wine-source.com/byor.htm

Be sure to call ahead and double check.? For instance Dogwood recently got their liquor licence and I don’t think it’s BYO anymore.? Also I think Joy America in the American Visionary Arts Museum may have closed.

To add to the list, recently opened Grano restaurant in Hampden is also BYOB.? Grano is at 1031 W. 36th St. 443-669-3429, and serves simple, but delicious, pasta dishes.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

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If the economy has you worried, don’t fret too much.? Baltimore has tons of stuff to do that’s absolutely free.? Here’s just to name a few.? If you’ve got suggestions of free stuff that’s fun, please post it as a comment.

1) Free Movies - In locations all across Baltimore…grab a blaket or a folding chair and catch a free film after dusk.? Films are offered in Federal Hill, Fells Point, Charles Village, and Little Italy.? Follow this link for a schedule:? http://baltimore.about.com/od/events/a/freefilms.htm

2) Free Museums - In case you hadn’t heard, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Gallery are free now.? If you haven’t been since high school…then you’re in trouble and you should go.? http://www.thewalters.org/? and? http://www.artbma.org/

3) Artscape - It’s the biggest festival of its kind in the Nation and it’s this weekend!? It’s even bigger this? year since it’s expanded to the Station? North? area. ? www.artscape.org

4) Go to the park - Federal Hill, Patterson Park, and Ft. McHenry (free as long as you don’t go into the fort)? are rich in history.? Get a local history lesson instead of heading to Gettysburg.

5) Ride your bike - Check out Baltimore’s Gwynns Falls and Jones Falls bike trails and see the city from an angle you’ve never seen before.

6) Look at trees - Well…more than just trees…Cylburn Arboretum is a hidden gem in Baltimore City. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/index.htm

7) Brush up on your poetry - Visit the Edgar Allen Poe House and Gravesite http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/historic/poehouse.php? and http://www.nps.gov/edal/

8.) Climb the Washington Monument (the one in Baltimore of course) -? They ask for a $1 donation, but it might as well be free.? The view is almost as good as the World Trade Center but a fraction of the cost.? http://www.baltimoremuseums.org/washington.html

9) Hampton National Historic Site - Ok this one isn’t in Baltimore City…it’s in Towson, but it’s free if you can afford the tank of gas out there.? http://www.nps.gov/hamp/

10) Inner Harbor - Chances are that you probably haven’t been there in a while.? Chill out and watch the tourists go by.? http://www.baltimore.to/baltimore.html

11) Visit the library - The central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library is huge.? Maybe it’s time to check it out if your days of sipping lattes at the Barnes and Noble? are through.

12) Visit your local market - Lexington Market, Cross Street, Broadway, Hollins, Northeast…etc.? Baltimore’s historic markets are always bustling with activity and interesting sights and smells.? It’s tough to get away without buying something, but prices seem a bit cheaper than going to the grocery store.

I actually surprised myself coming up with this many items.? Again, add a comment if there’s something that you know of that I didn’t post.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Where’s the best place to eat crabs in Maryland? It’s a topic that always brings up interesting discussion and debate. Baltimore Magazine recently published their annual (I think it’s annual) list of top crab houses in Maryland. And the Baltimore Sun also recently put up their top 10 crab house list. There’s 16 on Baltimore Magazine’s list, 6 in Baltimore city (or very close) and 10 in various counties. 6 crab houses made both lists.

I’ve only been to 6 on the list, so I’ll have to try some others this summer. If I had to pick one place in the world to eat steamed crabs it would be Cantler’s on the Magothy River. If I had to pick one place in/near the city it would be Mr. Bills for quality, or Nick’s for atmosphere and outdoor seating. Curious to hear your comments on favorite places. I did have some “wet”crabs at Nicks once, but got them to take them off the bill. I’ve had crabs from Harris’ a few times and they’re always good.

I’m surprised L.P. Steamers made both lists. I’ve eaten there a couple times and been disappointed. I also happen to live about 100 feet from the restaurant - most of my neighbors have the same opinion. I had the worst cream of crab soup I’ve had in my life there. Perhaps we should give their crabs another chance. I’m also surprised Bo Brooks didn’t make the list. I’ve never eaten there but I know it’s a popular spot for crabs.

Baltimore Magazine’s Top Crab Houses

• Cantler’s Riverside Inn, Annapolis
• Harris Crab House, Grasonville
• L.P. Steamers, Locust Point
• Mike’s Bar & Crab House, 3030 Old Riva Road, Riva
• Nick’s Fish House, 2600 Insulator Drive, Baltimore
• CJ’s Crabhouse and Grill, 10117 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills
• Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn, 200 Eastern Boulevard, Essex
• The Crackpot Seafood Restaurant, 8102 Loch Raven Boulevard, Towson/Parkville
• Reter’s Crab House and Grille509 Main Street, Reisterstown
• The SeaSide Restaurant Crab House and Lounge, 224 N. Crain Highway, Glen Burnie
• Canton Dockside, 3301 Boston Street,
• Costas Inn, 4100 North Point Boulevard, Dundalk
• Gunning’s Seafood Restaurant, 7304 Parkway Drive, Hanover
• Obrycki’s, 1727 E. Pratt Street
• Ocean Pride Restaurant & Carryout, 1534 York Road, Lutherville

Baltimore Sun - Dining at Large’s Top 10 Crab Houses

• Cantler’s near Annapolis
• Captain James Landing between Canton and Fells Point
• Costas in Dundalk
• Gunning’s in Hanover
• L.P. Steamers in Locust Point
• Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn in Essex
• Nick’s Fish House in Baltimore
• Obrycki’s downtown
• Pier Street Marina in Oxford
• Schultz’s in Essex

Two recent newspaper articles highlighted development efforts in the Park Heights neighborhood and at the BCCC campus downtown.? Follow the links below.

http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/news/jt/cover_story/heights_of_redevelopment/

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.redevelop09jul09,0,7957844.story

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The Baltimore Business Journal reported that H&S properties is planning a 280 room Westin Hotel as part of their Harbor Point project adjacent to Harbor East. The article also seems to confirm that the developers will be courting a high end department store, possibly Barneys, to anchor the retail portion of the project. Previous rumors suggested that H&S was also courting Neiman Marcus. With this news, it seems that the Southeast side of the harbor could become the new mecca for shopping in Baltimore, desperately needed since the decline of Howard street over the past few decades.

Click Here to Read the Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

When Rolling Stone Magazine recently named Baltimore as having the nation’s “Best Scene”, it left many people scratching their heads.? How could Baltimore be considered as having the best music scene when most national acts pass up the city for larger venues in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.?? Yet another segment of people agreed with Rolling Stone,? and say they got it right…but? about two years late.?

The latter segment of people are probably those that are familiar with Baltimore’s vibrant and thriving underground music scene.? This scene is led by loosely organized groups that often times draw hundreds of mostly young participants to dilapidated old buildings and warehouses in parts of town most people would never recognize to see performances that range from hip-hop to electronic, folk to jazz.? Typically the shows are never advertised and sometimes the locations of the events are passed by word of mouth to those “in the know”.? While not outwardly apparent, this scene is poised to build up Baltimore as a major player in the national music arena while energizing the city’s young residents and fostering even greater activity for Baltimore’s nightlife.? While it’s hard to gauge the scope of this scene, it’s possible to get somewhat of an idea by exploring some of its pillars.? Here’s to name a few:

Wham City - Music, art, performance, writings…this organization is mainly? know by it’s annual Whartscape festival (scheduled this year for July 17th through 20th).? Most of the events take place in and around the Station North neighborhood.? http://www.whamcity.com/

Charm City Arts Space -? All volunteer organization based out of a dilapidated rowhouse in the Station North neighborhood.? ? There’s no sign and the place looks like it’s about to fall down, so you’d? never notice the place if you were to walk or drive by.? They have art and music events a few times a week.? http://www.ccspace.org/index.php

The Talking Head Club - Originally located in? a small building? on an alley downtown, they’re currently operating out of Sonar at 407 E. Saratoga.? The original building had no windows and appeared to be abandoned (which is probably why it shut down). http://www.talkingheadclub.com/

While not all people are likely to appreciate this? unique part? Baltimore culture,? we can appreciate it for adding to the city’s quirkiness, coolness,? and as some would say “charm”.? After all, this is not anytown USA…this is Baltimore…this is to be expected.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

All great cities have one, so if Baltimore is (or is going to be) the Greatest City in America, then we better get one too! See the information below regarding the potential for a Baltimore Design Center.? Also visit http://alterurban.com/bdc.htm

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com