Culinary Architecture Expands its Specialty Grocery Store in Pigtown

Pigtown specialty grocery store Culinary Architecture at 767 Washington Blvd. has expanded into the adjacent retail space at 765 Washington Blvd. This retail space, which adds about 1,800 sq. ft. to Culinary Architecture’s footprint, was the former home of HomeFree USA.

Culinary Architecture is using its original retail section at 767 Washington Blvd. to expand its commercial kitchen with additional prep space and for bulk items sold at the store. 765 Washington Blvd. is now the new retail space for its groceries and carryout shop.

Culinary Architecture has expanded its grocery offerings with the additional space. Owner Sylva Lin says she wants the store to be a resource and inspiration for home cooks. She wants customers to come in and talk about recipes and get inspiration for their meals. Culinary Architecture is offering “restaurant quality” products to consumers.

The store has a large selection of meats, cheeses, sauces, flours, grains, starches, teas, and coffees, as well as a vegan cheese and charcuterie counter. It has Italian, Asian, vegan, gluten-free, and local produce sections, as well as a large selection of local and craft ice cream.

Culinary Architecture also has a coffee, kombucha, and craft soda bar. It also features a reverse osmosis water filtration system for customers to get drinking water.

Lin said they try to carry as many local products as possible. There is a section dedicated solely to South Baltimore-based products.

Culinary Architecture will offer different carryout items each day including burritos, sandwiches, savory pies, and cookies. There is some outdoor seating in front of Culinary Architecture, and Lin is hoping to add more in the rear yard of the property.

The basement at Culinary Architecture offers different home goods and soon will offer high-quality kitchen equipment.

The bulk of the business at Culinary Architecture comes from its corporate catering business. Lin said this stability allows the business to expand its retail offerings.

Partner businesses also use the commercial kitchen at Culinary Architecture.

Culinary Architecture is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

Lin said she’s hoping to host more events in the backyard at Culinary Architecture in the future. And, there is a large space behind the building she would like to use for tailgate events and craft events.

There is additional building space in the rear of the property where Lin would like to expand into in the future for additional event and commercial kitchen space. She’d love to see Culinary Architecture as a resource for other business owners looking to fill Pigtown storefronts with food businesses.

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.