Bourbon-Focused Restaurant ‘Copper Shark’ Coming to Locust Point
A bourbon-focused restaurant with a seasonal menu is coming to the Foundry on Fort Avenue complex at 921 E. Fort Ave. in Locust Point. Copper Shark will be filling a space that was occupied by Wine Market and then Ludlow Market for many years.
Copper Shark is a new concept from Mid-Atlantic Eateries (MAE), which has three locations of the Eggspectations franchise including one in Ellicott City and two in Northern Virginia. MAE opened its first Eggspectations in Ellicott City 19 years ago.
MAE Controller Neal Shaivitz told SouthBMore.com the company had been toying around with launching a new concept for a couple years. MAE then began pursuing the idea in late-2019, but COVID-19 pushed it back.
Merritt Companies is the landlord for Eggspectations’ Ellicott City location and approached MAE about the 4,400 sq. ft. restaurant space it had at the Foundry on Fort Avenue.
Shaivitz said they fell in love with the “old world charm” of the space with its exposed brick, columns, and pulley system in the ceiling. They also love the large parking lot, as well as the Locust Point neighborhood and all the real estate investment it’s attracting.
Shaivitz said the menu at Copper Shark will be a “chef-driven, one-page, seasonal menu.” MAE is working with chef Matthew Audette.
The bar will have an extensive bourbon, whiskey, and cocktail list as well as a variety of wine and beer offerings.
“The food quality and service will be higher-end, but not the price point,” said Shaivitz. “We want people coming in three times a week – not a special occasion place, but a neighborhood place.”
MAE is taking on a complete renovation of the space, including turning the liquor store space from Wine Market into a new bar room. Shaivitz said this gives the bar a bit of separation and gives more room for tables in the dining room.
Copper Shark will have a larger dining room and a private dining space. MAE is also expanding the outdoor patio by taking out some of the grass and replacing it with more concrete. The outdoor space will have a fire pit and tables. Shaivitz said they had to reimagine this space in the era of COVID-19.
Copper Shark hopes to open in January. It will be open everyday for dinner and eventually lunch and weekend brunch. Shaivitz anticipates the bar staying open later than the kitchen.
A spokesperson for Merritt Companies told SouthBMore.com the office and retail complex is now 94 percent leased.
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.
