South Baltimore Business Roundup

This South Baltimore Business Roundup is brought to you by Len The Plumber:

Idle Hour Closed Indefinitely

Idle Hour at 201 E. Fort Ave. posted the following message on its Facebook this week, “Apologies to Idle friends and family, but the Idle Hour is closed until further notice. We will keep you posted as more information is available.”

Idle Hour has a structural issue with its building and SouthBMore.com and the community should know more very soon as they posted the following yesterday on Facebook:

All right folks. Not a lot of info to share, but an update. We’ve got an insurance claim in the works. Keep your fingers crossed. We’ll know more in 24-48 hours. Thank you again for all the support.

Due to its popularity, there was discussion by some of its patrons of starting a crowdfunding campaign to help with possible repairs.

Tiki Barge for Sale

News broke on Saturday that the actual barge at Tiki Barge, also a popular destination in the area, was for sale. However, the owners have said that if the actual barge sells, they will buy a new one to replace it. From the Baltimore Business Journal:

Whether or not the barge sells, owner Dan Naor said he will continue to operate a pool bar at the same location. If the current Tiki Barge sells, Naor plans to replace it with a newer barge of the same size, with the same amenities. In that case, the barge’s buyer would have to relocate it to make room for the updated Tiki Barge.

But if it doesn’t get scooped up, the current barge will still open for business April 15.

The current Tiki Barge was built in 1987.

“It just makes sense to have something that is newer,” said Naor, who is chief operating officer of Baltimore Marine Centers.

Anthem House Coming to Locust Point

The 275 apartment unit mixed-use development at 900 E. Fort Ave. will now be called Anthem House. From an article in the Baltimore Business Journal:

In an interview, Bozzuto said the name was created after a process with his company’s partners on the project, Solstice Partners LLC and War Horse LLC. The three real estate development companies also hired Revolver New York, a brand development agency, to assist in the naming.

“We really wanted to come up with something unique, and we thought long and hard about it,” (Toby) Bozzuto said. “Together we came up with this name and I really like it.”

He called the name “partially a nod to Baltimore history, part rallying cry,” saying that “an anthem is both individual and deeply personal, like your living space.”

A groundbreaking is expected in the next month.

South Baltimore Featured on ‘Dream Home’

A South Baltimore renovation was featured on the Baltimore Sun’s ‘Dream Home’ feature this weekend. The home was renovated by Federal Hill-based Building Character. From the feature:

He settled on his 1,900-square-foot rehab on Sept. 15 — for which he paid $385,000 — and moved in five days later.

Lucas’ front door opens onto the living room, part of his 15-foot-by-60-foot first-floor interior. Nine-foot ceilings with recessed lighting and an open floor plan give the illusion of a much wider area.

“[My] favorite room is the living room,” he said. “[My] choice of furniture, fabric and colors make it the most appealing to the eye — warm and inviting, contemporary, but not losing the classic rowhome feel.”

Make sure to check out the pictures!

New Businesses in Hollins Market

Kurvy Gurl Apparel has opened in a storefront adjacent to the Hollins Maket at 40 S. Carrolton Ave.

Also, a new coffee shop is coming to 1247 W. Lombard St., across the street from Primo Chicken. A zoning sign is on the side of the window seeking a variance to use the first floor as a coffee shop.  We are being told it will be an Ethiopian-themed coffee shop.

Pigtown Main Street Property Redevelopment 

A property in the heart of Pigtown Main Street appears slated for redevelopment as 919 W. Barre St., a property featured in the recent Business District Strategic Plan, has a zoning sign on the facade seeking a two-story rear addition for dwelling units, along with the first story commercial space.

About the Author: Kevin Lynch

Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.