New Co-Working Space Opens on Pigtown Main Street, Restaurants Coming Soon
Photo from Kinglet
Marc Smith and his company Magnum Construction have been working and investing in Pigtown for the last 16 years, and they are hoping their latest project can fuel more growth in the area. Their property at 788 Washington Blvd., which was formerly Gallery 788 and Carousel Cleaners, is now reopened as a co-working space for local entrepreneurs. The space will again go by the name Gallery 788.
Smith and his wife own more than 10 buildings in the neighborhood, which include apartments and retail and warehouse spaces. They are constantly fielding calls from prospective office and retail tenants who are oftentimes just too early in their business to take on $1000/month in rent. So Smith figured a co-working space would be a great way to offer small growing businesses some brick and mortar space, and help incubate businesses that will fill bigger spaces around the neighborhood in the future.
Gallery 788 will have Wi-Fi, tables, desks, chairs, and space for about seven people working at once. Smith also noted they will have display racks for startup retail businesses. The monthly rent will be $165 per person or $1,540 per month to occupy the entire space. The spaces are being offered through Federal Hill-based real estate website Kinglet.
Smith owns, and has renovated, many of the retail properties on Pigtown Main Street including the spaces for 2 Chic Boutique, Pigtown Main Street, Cafe Jovial, Anna’s Astrology Shop, and a space that is currently vacant at 767 Washington Blvd. Smith is holding on to the space until he finds a well-funded tenant. He is hoping for a restaurant, which the space would suit well.
“There is a little bit of retail energy in Pigtown right now, but it is definitely lagging behind the residential growth,” Smith told SouthBMore.com. “We definitely need one more destination retail business in the area.”
Smith also noted that two new restaurants are in the works from higher-end operators at the former Jigg’s Tavern on 737 Carroll St. and the Former Tilted Pig at 771 Washington Blvd. Smith felt both would be a boost for the area.
Magnum Construction will also be the contractor for the redevelopment of 919 W. Barre St., a property that was showcased in the Pigtown Main Street Business District Strategic Plan. Work is expected to begin mid-summer.
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.
