2014 was a great year and a very busy one in South Baltimore. Here are the 10 most popular SouthBMore.com articles from this last year:
#10. SoBo Market to Open at Former Rayzers Bar, 6/27
SoBo Market will feature foods similar to SoBo Café, but the offerings will be more casual, highlighted by many sandwiches and small plates. They will also have many to-go items such as fresh baked loaves of bread and rolls, homemade pastries, coffees and espressos, prepared foods, salads, milk, and eggs, as well as beer, growlers, wine and liquor. SoBo Market will have a bar and a dining area, and the owners are constructing a new kitchen.
SoBo Market has been open on Thursdays for cocktails and the owners are hoping to open fully in early 2015.
#9. South Baltimore Development Updates (Photos), 10/8
SouthBMore.com took a look at the updates of many construction projects around South Baltimore, including 2 East Wells, Heath Street Lofts, Key’s Overlook, and more. All of these projects have come a long way since this October article.
#8. South Baltimore Business Roundup, 9/22
SouthBMore.com’s South Baltimore Business Roundups are always very popular (as you’ll see by this list). This one was highlighted by Federal Hill being featured on House Hunters Renovation, the Tilted Pig losing its liquor license, and Federal Hill retail news.
#7. South Baltimore News and Business Roundup, 7/29
This roundup was highlighted by news of Big Matty’s closing thus leading the way for the new Southside Diner, Langermann’s on Light closing its doors, questions about the future of Walgreens, and information about a new apartment project in Otterbein.
Langermann’s on Light is currently searching for a new restaurant group to take over its space and the Walgreens now has a For Lease sign in the window. The former Big Matty’s space at 838 E. Fort Ave. recently applied to transfer the liquor license from the former Thornton’s Pub to its space.
#6. Liquorice Now Open in Riverside, 7/28
Liquorice opened in July at the former home of Lime at 801 E. Fort Ave. in Riverside.
The food menu at Liquorice includes sandwiches, salads and small plates. It has a variety of different sandwiches including a reuben, bahn mi, croque monsignor, cubano, pulled pork, crab melt, and caprese. It also offers an Italian, Persian and pulled chicken salad, and its small plates include fruit and cheese, charcuterie, and pate.
The drink menu includes an extensive list of craft cocktails using light and dark liquors, as well as wine and draft beer.
Liquorice experienced a bit of an ownership change this fall.
#5. Preparations Begin for Wells St. Extension of the Charm City Circulator Purple Route, 7/11
In June, SouthBMore.com found out the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) and Veolia Transportation were preparing to launch an extension of the Charm City Circulator’s Purple Route, extending it to Wells St. to the south and to University Parkway (Charles Village/JHU) to the north.
With this expansion, South Baltimore would see the addition of three new Circulator stops, which were proposed for the northwest corner of Heath St. and Light St. (adjacent to the Riverside Neighborhood), the northeast corner of Wells St. and S. Charles St., and the southeast corner of S. Charles and Fort Ave. The first two stops would be added to existing MTA bus stops, but the third stop would have to be created thus eliminating three to four parking spots.
It was recently revealed that the Charm City Circulator was running on a $11.6 million deficit. This extension has yet to be implemented and it remains to be seen if the plan will be effected by the budget shortfall.
#4. The Local Fry to Open on Cross Street in Federal Hill, 9/2
The Local Fry will be opening very soon at a space in the former M&T Bank on Cross St.
Headed up by husband and wife team Kevin and Elizabeth Irish, The Local Fry will focus on specialty fries, as well as buffalo wings, salads and more. Kevin, a native of Ireland, and Elizabeth, a native of the Baltimore area, previously lived in Ireland before moving back to the United States in 2009 when they were given the opportunity to run a wing and sub shop in West Baltimore. “We had a lot of good times there and learned a lot about what goes into running a successful food business. After four years there, we decided to sell and try a new restaurant concept that we could build from the ground up,” said Kevin Irish.
#3. Caves Valley Partners Plans $250 Million Sharp-Leadenhall Development, 6/10
A massive $250 million development was announced for a three block stretch of Sharp-Leadenhall and South Baltimore.
The plan calls for several hundred residential units, 300,000-square feet of office space, 60,000- to 70,000-square feet of retail, and close to 2,000 parking spaces. Preliminary economic projections anticipate between 800 and 1,000 jobs during construction and approximately 1,200 full-time jobs when the project is complete and fully leased.
Caves Valley Partners has recently partnered with Eugene Monroe and Hanover Co. on the project and are expecting a Fall 2015 groundbreaking.
#2. In Like Flynn Tavern Set to Open at Former J. Patrick’s Pub, 6/3
J. Patrick’s Pub was a Locust Point staple at 1371 Andrew St. for many years. The Flynn family took over the space in June of this year, opening In Like Flynn Tavern.
There will be both similarities and differences between In Like Flynn Tavern and J. Patrick’s, which was open at the Andre St. location since 1987. Live Irish music performances will continue and they are looking to continue that family friendly atmosphere of J. Patrick’s. “We want everyone to feel at home, enjoy a great meal, have great conversation over a few drinks, and of course take in some great music. If we can provide all of this, I think we have done Mr. Byrnes great justice by taking over J. Patrick’s, which was a cornerstone of this neighborhood for years,” said Ritchie Flynn (co-owner).
#1. South Baltimore Business Roundup, 11/19
Out of the many South Baltimore Business Roundups, this was the most popular and most viewed story of 2014. The roundup included information about a new casual Mediterranean restaurant taking over the Crazy Lil’s space, new ownership at Delia Foley’s, the lounge section of Garden Restaurant being up for sale, and political news.
Crazy Lil’s is currently closed and undergoing a renovation, and there are no changes at the Garden Restaurant lounge to date.
