H&M and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Close at Harborplace
The Light Street Pavilion of Harborplace at the Inner Harbor is left with only two tenants as H&M and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. closed in recent weeks. The only two businesses that remain open in the once-filled pavilion, which is stuck in a receivership, are Hooters and Neighborhoods Urban Goods.
The Pratt Street Pavilion, which is also part of Harborplace, has also struggled with newly-vacant retail spaces in recent years.
H&M told Baltimore Business Journal this week:
“Assessing and reviewing our store portfolio to adapt to changing customer behavior is something that we have done ever since we opened our first store,” an H&M spokesperson wrote in an email. “While physical stores will always remain important to us and something we continue to invest in, having the right stores in the right location is vital to ensure our long-term and sustainable growth.”
Baltimore Business Journal reported on Bubba Gump last month:
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at Harborplace was shut down by the Baltimore City Health Department earlier this month due to permitting issues and the restaurant’s owner said Wednesday afternoon it will not reopen.
“Sadly, we are closed for good,” said Luke Kosters, an attorney and executive for Kelly Companies based in San Diego, which operated the Harborplace Bubba Gump restaurant.
Bump Gump also operated the Gump on the Run carryout restaurant in the pavilion.
Bubba Gump is involved in a lawsuit with the complex’s receiver and blamed the poor condition of the property as a reason for the restaurant’s struggles.
The Harborplace pavilions have been stuck in receivership since June 2019. Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation took over ownership of the Light Street and Pratt Street Pavilions at Harborplace in 2013 and began renovations in 2017. But, the renovations dragged on and tenants began to leave the complex in recent years. This included Banana Republic, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Philly Pretzel Factory, Urban Outfitters, Build-A-Bear, M&S Grille, Noodles & Company, Five Guys, and La Tasca.
Businesses that remain open at Harborplace are Hooters and Neighborhoods Urban Goods at the Light Street Pavilion, and The Cheesecake Factory, Uno Chicago Grill, Tir Na Nog Irish Restaurant & Pub, IT’SUGAR, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Crystal Cove, Crepe Lena, Tobacco Etc., Bombay Beadz, and recently-opened Life in Charm City in the Pratt Street Pavilion.
Waterfront Partnership President Laurie Schwartz told SouthBMore.com last fall the ownership situation at the shopping pavilions will be resolved “hopefully by the end of year.” She added, “it’s coming.”
There have been no announcements at this point.
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.
