South Baltimore Business Roundup

BMI’s Crane Painted Green 

The Baltimore Museum of Industry (BMI) celebrated the completed renovation of its 100 ft. shipyard crane last month. The renovation included painting the crane green, which was the color selected after asking voters to pick between red, orange, green, or blue. In 2016, the museum launched the Save the Crane campaign with an online, crowd-sourced fund drive to fully restore it.

The crane was built in 1942 and was instrumental in Bethlehem Steel’s World War II shipbuilding effort. The crane remained in active service until 1982 when the yard closed. Following the closing, the BMI, which eager to help Baltimore hold onto its shipbuilding heritage, pursued the crane as a donation. The shipyard’s new owners obliged and the property’s last-standing crane was disassembled, sent down the Inner Harbor on barges, painted, and reassembled where it stands at the BMI today.

Rooster & Hen Begins Construction 

Cross Street Market’s Maryland Farm Store Rooster & Hen has started construction on its 1,800-plus sq. ft. stall at the southeast corner of the market adjacent to the Light St. entrance.

Rooster & Hen opened in Catonsville in 2016 as a small food market specializing in local, organic produce. It has since expanded its product selection and become a venue for live music and art workshops, as well as pop-ups and other events featuring emerging local food artisans and small businesses.

In its new space, directly across from Ceremony Coffee, Rooster & Hen will sell fresh produce and flowers; pantry items including condiments, herbs and spices, baking needs, bulk nuts, and snacks; pickles and ferments; baked goods and snacks; frozen foods; and a selection of house-made prepared foods.

New Dog Park Opens at McHenry Row 

A new dog park has opened at McHenry Row adjacent to the new Courtyard by Marriott, which will open in the coming weeks. The dog park is triangular shaped with a black metal fence, gravel surface, and benches. A temporary dog park that opened next to McHenry Row on the South Baltimore Little League property has closed.

Tinybrickoven Now Offering New York-Style Slices, Espresso  

Tinybrickoven, a pizza and gelato shop in Federal Hill, is now offering New York-style pizza slices to go along with it Neapolitan-style pies that cook in just over a minute. Owner Will Fagg purchased a New York-style Bakers Pride deck oven to make the New York-style pies and slices. Tinybrickoven offers several topping options by the slice and slice and soda combo specials.

Tinybrickoven is now also offering espressos; affogato, which is gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it; and house-baked cookies.

Enchantment of the Sea Returns to the Port of Baltimore 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s ‘Enchantment of the Seas’ is returning to the Port of Baltimore.

From a Maryland Port Administration press release:

The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore will welcome back Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Enchantment of the Seas cruise ship in April 2021 after its current Baltimore-based ship, Grandeur of the Seas, is reassigned for other cruising opportunities. Enchantment of the Seas was previously based at the Port of Baltimore from 2010 to 2013 while Grandeur of the Seas underwent a renovation. Grandeur of the Seas will continue to be based at Port of Baltimore until April 2021. Enchantment of the Seas is a slightly larger vessel. It will also offer year-round cruising to the Bahamas, Bermuda and Caribbean, as well as fall voyages to New England and Canada.

“We are excited to welcome the Enchantment of the Seas back to Maryland and the Port of Baltimore,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Royal Caribbean’s decision to continue year-round sailings is a strong vote of confidence in Maryland and our cruise market. The Port of Baltimore’s cruise terminal enjoys a wonderful location off Interstate 95, allowing convenient access from the Mid-Atlantic into the Midwest.”

Last year, 218,849 passengers sailed on 94 cruises from the Port of Baltimore. Nearly 400 jobs are generated by cruise activity in Maryland, including more than 200 direct jobs at the Port. About $90 million in economic benefits to Maryland is generated by cruise activities through local spending, hotels, dining and entertainment.

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) recently completed significant renovations to the Port of Baltimore cruise terminal, including an enclosed, temperature-controlled breezeway that protects passengers from the weather and links the terminal to the ship. Other improvements include expanded restrooms, a new VIP lounge, new carpeting and new ticketing kiosks.

The Enchantment of the Seas is a 2,446-passenger ship that began service in 1997. It has been refurbished twice, most recently in 2013. It offers amenities such as pools and whirlpools and a bungee trampoline. It also offers the diverse dining options favored by passengers for years.

“Grandeur of the Seas will be leaving the Royal Caribbean International fleet in early April 2021 to join our Spanish partner Pullmantur Cruceros,” said Jonathon Fishman, manager of corporate reputation for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Later that month, Enchantment of the Seas will replace Grandeur in the Port of Baltimore and offer year-round sailings, starting with her spring 2021 season.”

B&O Railroad Museum Locomotive Restored 

The B&O Railroad Museum, in partnership with The Conrail Historical Society, has restored a locomotive. From an October press release:

In partnership with The Conrail Historical Society, the B&O Railroad Museum will unveil the newly restored Conrail SW7 8905 on Nov 2, 2019 as part of the historical society’s “Conrail Day.”

The CRHS and the B&O Railroad Museum have raised $6,000 to restore the locomotive to its 1980s Conrail paint scheme, making it the first piece of Conrail painted equipment at the museum. The restoration pays homage to Conrail’s operational history in the Baltimore region and brings a much needed update to the historic locomotive’s façade.

“We are so pleased to have partnered with the Conrail Historical Society to return the 8905 to its rightful colors,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “It has been a great partnership.”

The locomotive, which the B&O purchased to carry museum guests along the historic first mile of commercial railroad ever laid in the United States, will resume its regular operations carrying thousands of passengers along the rails each year.

This is the organization’s first membership event at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Stellar B. Relocates

Salon Stellar B. has relocated from 525 E. Fort Ave. to a home-based studio in Owings Mills.

Stellar B.’s former building is now for sale.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/11/04/south-baltimore-business-roundup-165/