Wash. DC/Baltimore Retail and Restaurant Development

[Balmurfan]

Hello pepperoni. Inner Harbor East Delicatessen and Pizzeria is opening this month in the spot at 1001 Fleet Street that once held the short-lived Elevation Burger.

Alex Smith, a partner in both the old and new businesses, says he thought workers and residents in the neighborhood could use a deli and pizza place as a casual alternative to the fine-dining restaurants. Smith says he closed Elevation Burger franchise after running into issues with the corporate parent.

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant will seat 90 inside and 40 outside. The restaurant will serve salads, sandwiches, cheese steaks and brick-oven pizza for lunch and dinner and waffles and pancakes for breakfast. The restaurant will be outfitted with 10 plasma screens, showing ESPN, MSNBC and sports programs.

"I think it's a great concept," Smith says. "It's so different from anything else in the area. We hope it's different than what's going on now."

Smith says he chose Harbor East because he lives in the area and has been involved in other businesses, including the Haagen Dazs ice cream shop, which he owns. His grandfather, bakery mogul John Paterakis Sr., is also one of the master developers of Harbor East.

He declined to say how much he and his two business partners invested in the new venture. However, the Baltimore City liquor license board granted the business a new Class "B" liquor license that is available to business owners who invest at least $500,000 in a restaurant that seats at least 75.



Source: Alex Smith, Harbor East Deli and Pizza
Writer: Julekha Dash

[Balmurfan]

There are lots of places to grab a burger or a slice of pizza. But how many quick, casual places can serve up a flatbread?

That's why business owner Bassam Sares is opening Sandella's Flatbread Café this month in Charles Village — and not your local greasy spoon.

"I was looking for a healthy concept in that area," Sares says.

The franchise currently has 19 locations throughout the U.S. but the store at 3202 St. Paul Street will be the first one in Maryland. And Baltimore City could get a second Sandella's. Sares is eyeing the Mount Vernon neighborhood for another location.

Sares declined to say how much he is spending to open the store but franchisees pay between $150,000 to $250,000 in a new restaurant, according to the corporate office.

The 1,400-square-foot restaurant's flatbread includes the Brazilian Chicken Grilled Flatbread and the Pesto Chicken Grilled Flatbread. It also sells paninis, wraps and salads that cost around $7, with a side order and drink.

"It's something new and healthy," Sares says of the flatbreads. "There are too many pizza places and too many burger joints. We need something new and healthy. I think this is the new thing."

The neighborhood appealed to Sares because it holds a mix of residents and students. It's also been his home since 1993, when he moved to Baltimore from New York.

"It's a very nice neighborhood," Sares says. "It's a safe neighborhood. It's full of life and action."

Source: Bassam Sares, Sandella's Flatbread Cafe
Writer: Julekha Dash

[Exrexnotex]

There is one at UB. Good food. Does anyone have any info on that new Greek restaurant and lounge who will be opening in Harbor East?

[Tricia_Lvs_Baltimore]

Qdoba to open first Baltimore City location in Brewer's Hill

Baltimore Business Journal - by Rachel Bernstein Staff
Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Qdoba Mexican Grill has inked a deal to open its first Baltimore City location in Brewer’s Hill.

The fast casual Mexican food chain signed a lease for 3,000 square feet at 3500 Boston St., in the Broom Factory building, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

The Brewer’s Hill spot will be the 15th Qdoba location in Maryland. The exact date for the store’s opening was not immediately available.

To start a Qdoba, owners tend to spend at least $550,000. That includes buildout, construction, training, marketing and 90 days worth of operating capital.

The chain is seeking other expansion sites in Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard counties, according to Cushman & Wakefield.

Last year, the Wheat Ridge, Colo.-based chain said it wanted to open 40 new franchise stores in the Baltimore area.

Kyle Durkee of Cushman & Wakefield represented Qdoba in the deal, while Jamie Lanham of Artios Retail represented the landlord, Harbor Enterprise Center.

Details of the deal were not disclosed.

[Balmurfan]

Baltimore might be 958 miles from Miami, but that hasn't stopped a small business owner from bringing some South Beach flair to downtown. South Beach Sandwicherie opened last month in the 222 E. Saratoga Street apartment complex .

Co-owner Adam Gardner says he took the concept from a friend who owns a sandwich shop in Miami, where Gardner lived for six years.

In the sun-soaked, palm-tree lined city, sandwich shops offer a salad on a sandwich, a tasty trend Gardner has duplicated at his Baltimore store. South Beach Sandwicherie offers a host of salad toppings for every sandwich: lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, onions and cornichons, just to name a few.

Sandwiches are topped with a French vinaigrette dressing whose ingredients Gardner holds close to the vest. "I learned [the recipe] from a French guy but I added my own twist to it," he says. "It's all about the secret sauce and the bread."

South Beach Sandwicherie offers a choice of croissant, baguette or wheat bread. Sandwiches cost between $6.50 and $8.95, for a prosciutto and mozzarella — the store's specialty. The shop also sells smoothies.

Gardner likes the location because he can count on steady daytime traffic from workers at Mercy Medical Center, the courthouses, government and office buildings. South Beach Sandwicherie has also carved a niche as a late-night munchie spot for the club crowd and late-night workers. Open until 2 a.m. Thursdays, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, the store gets business from folks going to Sonar and the bars at Power Plant Live, as well as hospital workers on the late shift.

Gardner and his two partners Keith Showstack and Lydell Owens invested $50,000 to open the 800 square foot store. "It's taken off a lot better than I expected," Gardner says.

The shop features paintings on the wall depicting Miami's Art Deco buildings that fill South Beach. Baltimore graffiti artist Billy Mode painted the artworks.

We've got more about what's happening in Downtown.

Source: Adam Gardner, South Beach Sandwicherie
Writer: Julekha Dash

[Balmurfan]

After working for other retailers for more than 20 years, collage artist Luana Kaufmann decided it was time to strike out on her own. The Baltimore native opened Emporium Collagia, a 300 square foot store in Fells Point.

The shop features a variety of home decor items including, custom frames, collage designs, jewelry and a host of eclectic home goods, including soaps, Italian stationary and pencils made of twig. Kaufmann has also repurposed wine bottles that are sandblasted with words like knowledge, understanding, patience, and joy. Shoppers will also find candles for each of the 12 zodiac signs. When the candle has finished burning, the candleholder is now a shot glass and with a drink recipe.

After retail stints as a buyer for furniture stores Bluehouse and Thomas Craft Furniture as well as with the sales department at Nordstrom, opening her own store allows Kaufmann to blend her retail experience with her artistic skills.

"It feels like an exciting integration of all the stuff that I've done," Kaufman says. "It's a neat integration of retail and display and merchandising that I adore. I love being a buyer."

Kaufmann says she felt Fells Point was the ideal neighborhood for the store. "It's one of the most charming neighborhoods in the city. There's lots of great buzz and vitality in the area."

The store is next to the Cat's Eye Pub and Ann Street Pier — a location Kaufmann enjoys. "I have an extraordinary view of the water," she says.


Source: Luana Kaufmann, Emporium Collagia
Writer: Julekha Dash

[Balmurfan]

Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood will soon be home to a brewpub that takes its inspiration from the Northern European country known for waffles and chocolates.

Paul Kopchinski, a Maryland Native who currently residents in New York City, will open De Kleine Duivel by July. Kopchinski will spend about $100,000 renovating the former Nutty Pub at 3520 Chestnut Ave.

With a Flemish mother whose family lives in Antwerp, Kopchinski says he knows a thing or two about Belgian food and drink. The menu will consist of classic Flemish and French dishes, includes mussels and French fries, or moules frites. Other items will include Flemish beef stew, fish stew and homemade chocolates and, of course, Belgian waffles.

Kopchinski, who attended the French Culinary Institute, will design the menu but will hire someone in to cook the food. He anticipates having five entrees and a couple of appetizers. As far as beer goes, De Kleine Duivel will only sell Belgian beers, about a dozen on draft and 30 bottles. Kopchinski will concentrate on smaller boutique brewers rather than the larger brands.
"It's a country that takes it beer very seriously," Kopchinski says of Belgium.

Kopchinski has hired woodwork artist Tim Ely to create Art Nouveau style lighting, furniture and paneling in the 1,000-square-foot space.
Why Art Nouveau? One of the originators of that style was a Belgian architect named Victor Horta.

Kopchinski moved out of Maryland 12 years ago after graduating college but was eager to return once he found the Hampden spot.
"It's sort of a homecoming for me," he says. "I looked at a lot of locations and the only place I would consider doing this in Hampden. It's almost like a small town that is right in the middle of a major city. There's a sense of community among business owners that appeals to me a lot."

The business ownerconsidered opening the brewpub in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, New York , but commercial real estate prices were too steep. Kopchinski also considered Frederick, Asheville, N.C., and Roanoke, Va. before settling on the spot that used to be the Nutty Pub.

Though the economy has not been kind to many restaurants, Kopchinski is confident that his Belgian brews will soak in the crowds.
"People like to drink in Baltimore. Drinking is recession proof. "

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Paul Kopchinski, De Kleine Duivel

[vivo]

Gino's affiliated with the old Gino's Giant may be coming to Towson!

http://www.ginosgiant.com/nrn.html

[PeterSmith]

Mount Vernon is getting a new market and a new restaurant. Milk & Honey Market is opening in the retail space on the ground floor of the Professionals Arts building at Read Street and Cathedral Street, and Creme is opening in the former space of Xia on Charles Street. Creme already has a DC location.

Possible bad news is that just a few weeks after the "For Sale" sign came down on the Brass Elephant building a "For Lease" sign has appeared in the Brass Elephant's window. All the Brass Elephant decor is still inside, but it looks like the restaurant may not be reopening.

[Dank City]

Seasons 52 comes to North Bethesda Market
Washington Business Journal - by Jeff Clabaugh

The JBG Cos. has signed Orlando-based restaurant chain Seasons 52 as a tenant at its North Bethesda Market development in Montgomery County.

The small chain, which emphasizes a menu of seasonal foods and large wine selections, will open its North Bethesda Market location in the summer of 2011. North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike is across from White Flint Mall.

It will be Seasons 52’s 15th location and its first in the D.C. area. The seven-year-old company has locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

“Seasons 52 has been recognized as a forward-thinking concept with proven consumer appeal, and it has capitalized on the growing consumer interest in fresher, seasonal foods that offer positive lifestyle benefits,” the company said in a news release announcing its Washington location.

Each of its locations includes a piano bar and a wine list that includes more than 60 wines by the glass.

JBG broke ground on its mixed-use North Bethesda Market project in late 2007, which includes 400 rental apartments, retail space and the county’s tallest building — a 24-story apartment tower.

[Exrexnotex]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

Mount Vernon is getting a new market and a new restaurant. Milk & Honey Market is opening in the retail space on the ground floor of the Professionals Arts building at Read Street and Cathedral Street, and Creme is opening in the former space of Xia on Charles Street. Creme already has a DC location.

Possible bad news is that just a few weeks after the "For Sale" sign came down on the Brass Elephant building a "For Lease" sign has appeared in the Brass Elephant's window. All the Brass Elephant decor is still inside, but it looks like the restaurant may not be reopening.

Charles St. is the dining "destination" in the city. All kinds of cuisine, diferent price ranges, atmospheres, etc. It seems llike there is place to grab a bite on every block.

Also, Top Chef season 7 premiers next week. For the third consecutive season a Baltimore chef is featured as a contestant

[rockin'.baltimorean]

Originally Posted by Dank City

Seasons 52 comes to North Bethesda Market
Washington Business Journal - by Jeff Clabaugh

The JBG Cos. has signed Orlando-based restaurant chain Seasons 52 as a tenant at its North Bethesda Market development in Montgomery County.

sounds like a restaurant that ray lewis might be affiliated with......lol.

[PeterSmith]

A "For Lease" sign finally popped up in the El Patron restaurant space on Madison and Charles. That location, while officially still open, had been darkened and closed for a while now. It's a great location and space, so they shouldn't have any trouble filling it.

[Balmurfan]

Restaurant owner Alan Suissa wants to take you on a trip to North Africa.
And you won't need your passport.

Suissa and business partner Kenny Mahil opened French-Moroccan restaurant Tangiers Bistro Bar and Martini Lounge earlier this month in the Canton neighborhood.

Born in Casablanca, Suissa wanted to recreate the cuisine of his French Moroccan Jewish heritage. What makes it distinct from traditional Morrocan fare is that that is spicier and relies heavily on cumin and less on dried fruits like apricots and prunes.

The small plates, or mezze, dishes include fried spicy eggplant, grilled lamb and beef sausage and salmon tagine. The dishes cost between $5 and $11. Suissa's grandmother, who was born in Tangiers, is the inspiration for the food, along with his mom and aunt who work in the kitchen.

Suissa and Mahil spent about $100,000 to renovate the 200-seat Canton spot at 845 S. Montford Ave. Suissa declined to say how much the partners paid for the property, formerly Red Fish restaurant. The 5,000-square-foot building is valued at about $474,000, according to state property records.

Having worked for the World Bank and the Washington Post Co.'s food and beverage divisions, Suissa is now making his first foray into the Baltimore market.

He liked the heavily trafficked location, facing Boston Street and in between Fells Point and Canton Square. He also likes the waterfront location.

"I fell in love with the building and location," Suissa says. "I heard from many people that the area is up and coming."

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Alan Suissa, Tangier's

[Balmurfan]

An ice cream company in Montgomery County is licking its way into the Greater Baltimore market, with plans to open three stores in July.

Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. also has it sights set on a fourth store at the Maryland House in Harford County's Aberdeen next year.
The Silver Spring company hopes to eventually become the dominant retail ice cream shop in Greater Baltimore.

The new stores in downtown Baltimore will open at the Charles Plaza food court at 222 N. Charles St. and apartment complex Horizon House at 1101 N. Calvert St. The third will open at Towson Town Center, 825 Dulaney Valley Rd. Each store will employ between eight and 10 workers.

"Baltimore no longer has a home grown ice cream brand," says Luke Cooper, managing director of Deal Metrics LLC, the venture capital firm that operates Gifford's. "We want to become that brand."

Cooper describes the Towson Town Center store as its flagship location. The company plans to carry its full line of flavors at the 600-square-foot shop. Cooper expects that the store will get steady foot traffic year-round and thus less prone to the seasonal dips that are typical for ice cream shops.
"Hopefully we won't have the dry months in the winter," Cooper says.

Cooper says the Charles Plaza food court was appealing because it attracts a wide cross-section of Baltimoreans — from doctors to lawyers to city workers and janitors. "There's a great confluence of eclectic backgrounds and people eating there," Cooper says.

Gifford's invests between $300 to $500 per square foot on each store, Cooper says. So for a 600 square foot store, the company will spend between $180,000 to $300,000 for a 600-square-foot store. The Baltimore City stores will be smaller, at around 230 to 400 square feet.

While some other Baltimore ice cream companies have shrunk their retail presence in recent years, Gifford's executives think they can stay ahead by keeping their shops small — and expenses low — and getting the best prices from their suppliers.

In February, Gifford's opened an outlet at the Inn at Colonnade hotel in Charles Village. The company has four Washington, D.C.,-area locations.

Starting next year, the company could open stores in additional Maryland travel plazas, operated by concessionaire HMS Host Corp.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Luke Cooper, Gifford's

[Exrexnotex]

Originally Posted by Balmurfan

Restaurant owner Alan Suissa wants to take you on a trip to North Africa.
And you won't need your passport.

Suissa and business partner Kenny Mahil opened French-Moroccan restaurant Tangiers Bistro Bar and Martini Lounge earlier this month in the Canton neighborhood.

Born in Casablanca, Suissa wanted to recreate the cuisine of his French Moroccan Jewish heritage. What makes it distinct from traditional Morrocan fare is that that is spicier and relies heavily on cumin and less on dried fruits like apricots and prunes.

The small plates, or mezze, dishes include fried spicy eggplant, grilled lamb and beef sausage and salmon tagine. The dishes cost between $5 and $11. Suissa's grandmother, who was born in Tangiers, is the inspiration for the food, along with his mom and aunt who work in the kitchen.

Suissa and Mahil spent about $100,000 to renovate the 200-seat Canton spot at 845 S. Montford Ave. Suissa declined to say how much the partners paid for the property, formerly Red Fish restaurant. The 5,000-square-foot building is valued at about $474,000, according to state property records.

Having worked for the World Bank and the Washington Post Co.'s food and beverage divisions, Suissa is now making his first foray into the Baltimore market.

He liked the heavily trafficked location, facing Boston Street and in between Fells Point and Canton Square. He also likes the waterfront location.

"I fell in love with the building and location," Suissa says. "I heard from many people that the area is up and coming."

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Alan Suissa, Tangier's

This building is cursed, no restaurant ever lasts. Let's hope this one does.

[pepperjack]

Originally Posted by Balmurfan

Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood will soon be home to a brewpub that takes its inspiration from the Northern European country known for waffles and chocolates.

Sounds like a version of Dr. Granville Moore in DC. Anything Belgian is ok by me...

[Balmurfan]

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Greg Brown has always been into eating healthful foods and working out. He eventually became a vegetarian, cooking meatless meals that became part of the catering company he formed in 2004.

Now, Brown and fhis iancé Naijha Wright are taking the soy rib tips, collard greens seasoned with smoked tofu and soy curry chicken to a new restaurant called Land of Kush. The 1,200-square-foot business will open at 840 N. Eutaw Street Aug. 1.

The pair spent about $55,000 to start the 20-seat restaurant.

Brown began selling vegetarian food when a friend was searching for a caterer to serve meatless meals at Jazzy Summer Nights, the downtown music event formerly held on the first Thursday of each month.

Though it ended last year, the event gave Brown a small but loyal following of fans. He says he would often sell out of food there and at another summer event, Artscape.

Land of Kush will serve a mix of Southern soul-style cooking and ethnic foods, the tofu and soy mimicking Vietnamese, Indian and West Indian flavors. "I have friends from different cultural backgrounds and that's the kind of restaurant I want to open," Brown says.

He chose the Mount Vernon neighborhood for his new restaurant because the area's diverse mix of residents."I like just walking in that area," Brown says.

The neighborhood is also home to Maryland General Hospital and various state office buildings, whose workers will hopefully patronize the Land of Kush, he says.

Brown expects area residents and students from the University of Baltimore and the Maryland Institute College of Art to become customers, given the restaurant's low prices. Sandwiches will cost around $5 while dinner entrees will cost about $10.

Source: Greg Brown, Land of Kush
Writer: Julekha Dash

[rbird7282]

Originally Posted by Dank City

Seasons 52 comes to North Bethesda Market
Washington Business Journal - by Jeff Clabaugh

The JBG Cos. has signed Orlando-based restaurant chain Seasons 52 as a tenant at its North Bethesda Market development in Montgomery County.

The small chain, which emphasizes a menu of seasonal foods and large wine selections, will open its North Bethesda Market location in the summer of 2011. North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike is across from White Flint Mall.

It will be Seasons 52’s 15th location and its first in the D.C. area. The seven-year-old company has locations in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

“Seasons 52 has been recognized as a forward-thinking concept with proven consumer appeal, and it has capitalized on the growing consumer interest in fresher, seasonal foods that offer positive lifestyle benefits,” the company said in a news release announcing its Washington location.

Each of its locations includes a piano bar and a wine list that includes more than 60 wines by the glass.

JBG broke ground on its mixed-use North Bethesda Market project in late 2007, which includes 400 rental apartments, retail space and the county’s tallest building — a 24-story apartment tower.

One of my best friends will be the general manager there when it opens. He is currently working at one of their other locations. Sounds like a great concept and wonderful food. (along with an award winning wine list) Can't wait!

[Tricia_Lvs_Baltimore]

Retailers are popping up at Baltimore's new Legg Mason tower
by Liz Farmer
Dolan Media Newswires

BALTIMORE, MD -- It has the high ceilings and warehouse fixtures of an Urban Outfitters store — but for once it’s actually more for function than design.

The new J.S. Edwards store in Harbor East’s Legg Mason tower isn’t going urban after 27 years in Pikesville. But the high-end men’s clothier is the latest Baltimore area shop to join in the “pop-up” store trend.

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to test the harbor waters, so to speak,” owner Edward Steinberg said Wednesday. “The people in the Legg Mason building are our customers. And it’s not just locals; we wanted to see what the tourist traffic would be. … It’s a neat way to introduce yourself to a market that is not familiar with you.”

Pop-up stores have become popular in New York City in recent years, and began making their way south in numbers last holiday season. Some stores only open for a few days — such as Target’s three-day stint in Washington, D.C.’s Georgetown last December — and some stay several months.

The J.S. Edwards in Harbor East opened in June and will close on Sept. 1. In the 1,600-square-foot-space, the clothier has forgone selling its men’s suits — the main attraction at its 3,000-square-foot Pikesville location — in favor of selling its casual wear.

“It’s a great model because of the buzz and energy created when a space is constantly changing,” said Christopher Janian, development manager at H&S Properties Development Corp., which is developing the $3 billion Harbor East project with Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse. “The idea of having a store or exhibit whose term is finite creates a sense of urgency.”

The J.S. Edwards store is not the first incarnation of this space that looks out on the traffic circle fed by busy President Street. Before this it was home to a 25-year retrospective exhibit and show by Baltimore-born artist Marque Cornblatt. During the holidays the entire, 7,300-square-foot storefront space was shared by five retailers: dresscode by Gita, Doubledutch Boutique, Di(e)ce Boutique, Shine Collective and Patrick Sutton Home.

The leases are percentage-based, meaning the retailers’ rent is based on a percentage of their sales. The building owner also has a right to recapture the space should it find a permanent tenant. The pop-up store also lets the landlord and the retailer try out their respective products at minimum risk, making it a win-win, said Trout Daniel & Associates Principal Rene Daniel, who helped broker the deal for J.S. Edwards.

“It gives [Steinberg] a look to see whether sportswear would work for him in Harbor East,” Daniel said. “And it gives the landlord a chance to see if that kind of retail works for that space.”

So far, the foot traffic and sales haven’t been overwhelmingly spectacular for the clothier. But they haven’t been poor, either, said Steinberg.

“The tourist season has been OK, but unfortunately the heat has hampered us a bit,” he said. “When it’s 100 degrees out, nobody wants to come out of their hotel room.”

Next door to J.S. Edwards (or on the other side of the curtain hanging from the ceiling), Patrick Sutton Home has enjoyed the space so much the owner stayed on after the holidays and has expanded its pop-up footprint to take up the remainder of the storefront.

After eight years in a Federal Hill townhouse, the retailer and interior design shop has closed its storefront there in favor of trendier — and roomier — waters. According to sales associate Vicki Hopkins, Sutton is looking for a permanent home in Harbor East to house its retail and interior design business (which is still in Federal Hill).

“There’s just more people here and if you have a bigger audience you’re bound to make more sales,” Hopkins said.

Janian said H&S Properties is looking for a permanent tenant to fill the space, but with its appeal as a pop-up storefront, he can afford to be selective.

“It’s really getting the right mix in there so the feeling is not like that of a mall, it’s more like the SoHo shopping experience where it really creates a destination,” he said.