Cheese Galore & More Relocating to Former HarborQue in Federal Hill, Adding Beer and Wine
Cheese Galore & More will be relocating from the Cross Street Market to the former HarborQue space at 1125 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill. HarborQue closed in April, launched a food truck, and continues operating its BBQ catering business.
Sharon Johnson opened Cheese Galore & More about seven years ago. The business sells gourmet cheeses, crackers, pasta sauces, olives, Zeke’s Coffee, and paninis. With a large kitchen, a small, bar, a dining area, and a seven-day beer and wine license, which Johnson is purchasing from HarborQue, Cheese Galore & More will expand its offerings at the new location.
Cheese Galore & More plans on adding light fare including cheese plates, charcuteries, open-faced French bread sandwiches, and shrimp salad, along with its signature paninis. Cheese Galore & More is also working with HarborQue to keep their signature Carolina-style pork BBQ at the location. Johnson said she has become friends with HarborQue owner Kelley Stewart during the transition.
Johnson noted that the kitchen is larger than she needs, but that space will be nice for putting together trays and gift baskets.
The HarborQue space occupies the first floor of two rowhomes. One side will be dedicated to groceries and beer and wine to go, and the other space will have the cheese counter and bar seating.
Cheese Galore & More used to partner with Big Jim’s Deli on wine and cheese pairings on Third Thursdays, so Johnson plans on brining back some of those pairings and events at the new space. Johnson said she is hoping to give some of the former customers of Big Jim’s and Regi’s a place to go. She joked it will likely be more a mature crowd.
Johnson said the opportunity came to be when she started looking at other options in the area after learning the Cross Street Market could get closed down completely during renovations. She liked the HarborQue location for a while, but didn’t think she could pull it off. But, she kept thinking about it, and brought on a silent partner to move forward.
Johnson will perform light renovations to the space that will include a new gray color on the exterior, and new painting and shelving on the interior.
Cheese Galore & More’s last day at Cross Street Market will be on June 15th. Johnson is hoping to reopen on Charles St. around July 1st.
“I’ve always wanted to expand our offerings at Cheese Galore & More, and this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” said Johnson.
Cheese Galore & More’s former location at Cross Street Market (before relocating within the market)
HarborQue locationÂ
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.
