South Baltimore Business Roundup

Volo City Partners with FXWell 

South Baltimore-based adult sports company Volo Sports has announced a new partnership with FXWell. Volo City launched a new Volo Pass which gives members access to pick-up games, league drop-ins, tournaments, and weekly events for $35 a month. Through the FXWell partnership, Volo Pass members will now also have access to free fitness classes such as yoga, spin, athletic conditioning, and bootcamps at the Under Armour Performance Center at the Under Armour Headquarters in Locust Point and 10 Light Street Downtown.

“Our players are looking for fitness programming that will improve their performance on the field,” said Gio Marcantoni, founder and CEO of Volo Sports, in a press release. “Like Volo, FXWell is a full lifestyle brand focused on helping players take their game to the next level.”

“Our goal is simple – positively impact as many lives as possible,” said Nate Costa, founder and president of FXWell, in a press release. “Partnering with Volo Sports gets us that much closer to achieving our goal, but also sets a new one in our sights. Getting YOU closer to YOURS, the journey starts here.”

Nalley Fresh Closes Inner Harbor Location

Local fast-casual chain Nalley Fresh has closed its location at 400 E. Pratt St. in Downtown/Inner Harbor. The retail space now has a ‘for lease’ sign up in the window. Nalley Fresh was the first business to occupy this retail space which was part of a retail addition to the building in 2015.

Nalley Fresh’s first location at 120 E. Baltimore St. remains open.

Octapharma Plasma Opens at Mount Clare Junction 

Octapharma Plasma has opened at the Mount Clare Junction shopping center in Pigtown/Mount Clare. It fills a space vacated by YouFit.

From Octapharma’s website:

Octapharma Plasma, Inc. is a U.S.-based company that collects plasma used to create life-saving medicines for patients around the world. We run more than 150 donation centers in the U.S and employ more than 3,500 people nationally.

Connect RN Signs Downtown Lease

Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that Boston-based connectRN has signed a 17,000 sq. ft. lease at 1 E. Pratt St. in Downtown/Inner Harbor where it will bring 80 employees. This is a new market and office for connectRN.

From the article:

The five-year-old company operates a health care workforce platform that allows nurses and nursing aides to find available nursing shifts and collaborate online at a time when nursing — and all of the health care industry — is strained amid the pandemic. connectRN serves as an online agency to help hospitals fill nursing shifts through its network.

Will McCullough, a broker with Lee & Associates who worked on the deal, said connectRN sought to locate downtown because of its proximity to area hospitals.

Dream Factory Studio Opens in Federal Hill

Dream Factory Studio has opened at 905 Light St. in Federal Hill. From its website:

At The Dream Factory you are treated like the STAR YOU ARE! In an Exclusive Private Lounge & Recording Studio! Smoke Hookah, Sip some wine, Have the DJ play your favorite song, or sing your favorite song. Even better you can record your next hit! This is an experience that go far beyond karaoke. You Create the Vibe! We Provide the Experience!

Groundwork Welcomes Second Cohort of Students

Groundwork Kitchen welcomed its second cohort of students to its culinary workforce program last week. Groundwork Kitchen is a $10-million, 14,000 sq. ft. culinary arts training center, restaurant, and carryout shop at 925 Washington Blvd. in Pigtown.

From a press release:

The 10 students, who range in age from 19 to 40 years old and are residents from across the Baltimore area, will participate in the free 12-week program before entering Baltimore’s culinary workforce.

Also from the press release:

In December, the first cohort of 14 students graduated from the program. They are working with program staff to obtain employment with local hotels, restaurants, human service organizations and hospitals. Through the program, it is anticipated that Paul’s Place will provide 122 jobs and nearly $12.2 million in annual economic activity to the City of Baltimore, according to an economic impact study by Sage Policy Group that the organization commissioned in 2018.

Applications are currently being accepted for those interested in participating in the program at http://groundworkkitchen.com/. The training program is open to adults 18 year or older. No previous food service experience is necessary.

Mayorga Organics Develops Compostable Pods

Mayorga Organics, an organic coffee company that will be moving its production and headquarters to Pigtown/Carroll-Camden Industrial Area, has developed compostable coffee pods for Keurig or espresso makers. The pods are made of plant-based, non-plastic material.

Mayorga introduced the product via a video on social media.

The post South Baltimore Business Roundup first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2022/01/20/south-baltimore-business-roundup-186/