Sweat Peaz Southern Kitchen Opens in Federal Hill

Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen opened this month at 1026 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill. The 4,000 sq. ft. storefront was the former home of Fat Larry’s before it closed in 2017.

Sweet Peaz serves Southern dishes including fried chicken, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, BBQ ribs, broiled salmon, turkey wings, turkey burgers, oxtails, fried fish, and sides including mashed potatoes, green beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, and candied yams.

Sweet Peaz is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night, and soon will add brunch hours. Sweet Peaz is currently open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12pm to 8pm, Thursday from 12pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 2am, and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Sweet Peaz will offer earlier hours and a brunch menu on Sundays in the near future.

After 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the late-night menu will focus on turkey burgers, fried chicken, fried fish, shrimp, and french fries.

The building no longer has a liquor license as it was sold to Shoyou Sushi. Sweat Peaz will sell homemade iced tea and lemonade.

Owner Fatimah Ames opened Sweet Peaz to honor her late mother. After high school, Ames tried nursing school and then beauty school, before getting into the clerical side of healthcare. However, Ames was still not completely happy and wanted to go to culinary school. Ames’ mother was concerned about another career change for her daughter, but Ames was sure this is what she wanted to do. Ames’ mother died soon after this decision and Ames was adamant about keeping her promise to her mother of finishing culinary school and naming a restaurant after her mother one day. This is now a reality as Sweet Pea was Ames’ mother’s nickname.

Ames grew up in New York City and Virginia Beach, and her mother is from Alabama and her father is from Eastern Virginia. Ames said Southern cooking was a big part of her household growing up. She carried on that tradition at family functions by cooking her family’s Southern food recipes. One day a friend encouraged her to start doing catering. She followed that advice and eventually opened a small carryout storefront in Harlem called ‘Sea to Soul,’ which was open for a few years starting in 2011.

Ames, who was raising her own three kids along with three younger siblings, moved to Georgia, but soon after wanted to be closer to family and moved to Baltimore where her father had relocated after retiring. Ames finished her business degree last year and currently has a catering business that has moved its operation into Sweet Peaz.

Ames chose Federal Hill because she fell in love with the space at 1026 S. Charles St. Its layout features a kitchen and carryout area in the front and a large two-story dining room in the back, which reminded her of SoHo in New York City. There is a back bar and patio that will not initially be open at Sweet Peaz.

Ames also loves the space because her and her now-husband had their first dance next-door at Nobles two years ago.

Ames renovated the floors and bathrooms in the restaurant space and lined the walls with black and white photos of Baltimore and New York City. Sweet Peaz also honors The Soup Kitchen, which was the former long-time restaurant in the space that was run by Wayne Brokke, who still owns the building.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/23/sweat-peaz-southern-kitchen-opens-in-federal-hill/

Photo Tour of the Nearly-Completed Reconstruction of the Key Highway and Light Street Intersection

Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) reconstruction of the Key Hwy. and Light St. intersection is nearly complete and is now being used by cars and pedestrians. The project started in January 2018 and will be 99% complete by the end of December, according to DOT Public Relations Officer Kathy Dominick.

District 11 Councilman Eric Costello told SouthBMore.com in an email, “DOT will be having a “Semi Final Inspection” in January at which time they will create a “Punch List” but at this moment we need to remove some old signal poles at Light/Hughes/Key and some small masonry things over at the sidewalk in front of the shopping center.”

He added, “In addition to the above from DOT, I am working with them on getting some railings installed around the bio-retention area in front of Christ Church Harbor Apartments. That is an accident waiting to happen for our seniors. No determination has been made on this request yet.”

In 2012, a traffic circle was proposed for the intersection but the project became too large and expensive, and presented concerns regarding pedestrian safety, according to City officials. It was scrapped and the project went in a different direction. “They are able to use the same amount of money to make improvements from Conway all the way to Covington, as opposed to just that one intersection,” former Councilman William Cole told SouthBMore.com in 2013.

Rendering from the previous plan

Project engineers also said at a public meeting in October 2017 that a traffic circle would be a safety concern for blind pedestrians in the area.

The new plan, which was first presented in 2013 and has since undergone some changes, does away with the traffic circle and adds several new medians, green spaces, traffic lights, and curb bump-outs. The project specifications are listed as:

• Full Depth Roadway Reconstruction with Complete Rail Track Removal
• Concrete Roadway Repairs
• Installation of New Traffic Signals – Key Highway @ Light Street, Key Highway @ William Street; Key Highway @ Covington Street – ACPS/CPS Crosswalk Revision
• New Signing and Pavement Markings
• Storm Drain Improvements, Stormwater Management
• Increase to the Capacity of Existing Conduit System
• Replacement of Water Line
• Median Installation along Key Highway from Battery Avenue to Covington Street
• Removal of Existing Berm between Key Highway and Rash Field (Battery Avenue to Covington Street/Rusty Scupper)
• Gwynns Falls Trail Extension
• Landscaping, Sidewalk & ADA Upgrades, Gwynns Falls Trail Extension

A southbound lane of Light St. has been eliminated between Lee St. and Key Hwy. with a sidewalk extension. Cars traveling southbound into Federal Hill on Light St. now have a separate lane which is divided by a new median. There continues to be a traffic signal at southbound Light St. and Key Hwy. to protect pedestrians. This stretch also has a new bike lane.

An existing median at Hughes St., Key Hwy., and Light St. was expanded, eliminating a small stretch of Hughes St. that connects to Light St. This median has a new walkway.

New curb bump-outs surround the off-street parking along the south side of Key Hwy. Many new trees and plants were added along sidewalks and medians.

STV is the designer of the project, and Manuel Luis Construction Company, Inc. was rewarded the $6,325,113.50 contract from DOT.

Redevelopment of the adjacent Rash Field is expected to begin in January 2020.

Screenshots from Google Maps of the previous intersection 

 

Picture of project renderings from an STV poster

Light St. and Key Hwy. intersection 

New light at William St. and Key Hwy. 

New bioretention in front of Christ Church Harbor Apartments on the 600 block of Light St. 

New streetscaping, medians, and bioretention around the shopping center on the 200 block of Key Hwy.

New median on Key Hwy. between Federal Hill Park and Rash Field 

Gwynns Falls Trail extension in front of Rash Field

An existing bike path section on the 600 block of Light St. was repaired as tree roots had disrupted the surface. 

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/20/photo-tour-of-the-nearly-completed-reconstruction-of-the-key-highway-and-light-street-intersection/

The Harak Law Firm Relocates to Federal Hill

David Harak moved The Harak Law Firm, LLC from Downtown to 1400 S. Charles St. in recent months. Harak purchased the 4,263 sq. ft. building in August.

The Law Offices of Bryan A. Bishop remains on the second floor of the three-story building. Harak has his offices on the third floor. The first floor has additional space for Harak, as well as shared amenity spaces including a kitchen and conference room.

Harak renovated the building with new flooring, paint, artwork, a new roof, and new HVAC units. He is adding a rooftop deck so he can work outside and enjoy views of Baltimore.

1400 S. Charles St. was an apartment building prior to 2008 when it was converted to law offices.

Harak said he was looking around Baltimore for a new office and fell in love with the Federal Hill neighborhood. He said it’s safe and that “people say hello here.” While he has clients all over the state and often works on the road, he said he loves Baltimore and the gravitas of having a firm located in the city.

The Harak Law Firm is a plaintiff’s firm servicing clients with legal matters in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and legal malpractice. Harak started the practice in 1997 and said he relies on word of mouth to get clients, mentioning the close relationship he’s had with many past clients. Harak said he was motivated to become a personal injury lawyer after his father was a victim of medical negligence while Harak was attending the University of Maryland School of Law.

The Harak Law Firm has two longtime employees who Harak said are like his family.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/18/the-harak-law-firm-relocates-to-federal-hill/

Tuesdays Under 250: Two-Bedroom Home on Battery Avenue for Under $200,000

Welcome to Tuesdays Under 250! Each week SouthBMore.com will showcase a home on the market listed for $250,000 or less.

This two-bedroom home in Federal Hill features hardwood floors, exposed brick, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a double vanity, a subway tile shower/tub, vaulted ceilings, and a back patio.

1232 Battery Avenue
Federal Hill 
Price: $194,900
Tax: $4,859
910 sq. ft.
-2 BD/1.5 Full Bath
Off Street Parking: No

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/17/tuesdays-under-250-two-bedroom-home-on-battery-avenue-for-under-200000/

South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)  Crime Map, the following crimes were reported from 12/7/19 – 12/13/19:

Ridgely’s Delight

BURGLARY (FORCE) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 21:00 6XX MELVIN DR ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

NONE

Sharp-Leadenhall

NONE

Federal Hill

NONE

Federal Hill South/Riverside

BURGLARY (FORCE) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 03:21 17XX BELT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

BURGLARY (FORCE) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 22:00 8XX E FORT AVE OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 20:00 16XX WEBSTER ST APT/CONDOMINIUM

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 18:00 14XX COVINGTON ST STREET

South Baltimore Neighborhood

NONE

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

NONE

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 15:30 18XX WHETSTONE WAY STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 17:00 13XX LOWMAN ST Unknown

BURGLARY (ATT. FORCE) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 23:40 16XX E CLEMENT ST STREET

Pigtown

ROBBERY – FIREARM MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 17:55 13XX W OSTEND ST STREET

ROBBERY – KNIFE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 21:32 2XX SCOTT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 07:11 9XX RAMSAY ST OTHER-OUTSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 20:00 11XX SARGEANT ST STREET

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

LARCENY- OTHER MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 01:30 15XX RUSSELL ST OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 13:03 15XX RUSSELL ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 06:50 18XX WASHINGTON BLVD CONVENIENCE

Hollins Market

NONE

Union Square

NONE

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/17/south-baltimore-crime-updates-165/

A Renovated ‘Ropewalk’ Reopens with Duckpin Lanes, Arcade Games, and a New Menu

Ropewalk Tavern reopened last week after being closed since July for renovations. Now in its 25th year of business in Federal Hill, Ropewalk returns with a concept the ownership group feels will “cater more to locals and families in South Baltimore.” The restaurant now has mini duckpin lanes, arcade lanes, more low-top tables, more beer taps, and a new menu.

The Ropewalk team is building off the success of its beach bars in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia that have different activities like playgrounds, corn hole, ring toss, and fire pits. They also opened a new restaurant in Ocean City over the summer called Alley Oops which has a shark tank, mini duckpin bowling, and around 50 games.

A spokesperson for the Ropewalk team said Alley Oops has been a fantastic experience and they are already planning a second location at the former OC Brewing Co. on 55th St. in Ocean City.

The Ropewalk team used its experience at Alley Oops to determine what games would likely work best at Ropewalk. However, if a game doesn’t work out at Ropewalk, it can be moved to one of the Alley Oops locations. Ropewalk will look to add more games to the second floor after figuring out what is popular.

Ropewalk is four rowhomes wide, and the front of the middle two buildings have been filled with games including a very large Connect Four Hoops, four skee-ball machines, two mini duckpin machines, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, bubble hockey, and bubble soccer. There are new pool tables on the second floor and third floor.

Ropewalk will add four more duckpin machines to the second floor if the first-floor units are popular. The lanes on the second floor will likely be a bit longer than the ones on the first floor.

Ropewalk has all new flooring, paint, bar tops, blinds, Samsung televisions, and draft beer lines. The front bar on the northern-most building now has 32 draft lines. The other bars at Ropewalk Tavern each have 16 draft lines.

The back room, which is in a building that dates back to the 1700s, was painted white to brighten it up. It now has all low-top tables that are more family- and dining-friendly. Dueling pianos and DJs will continue to play in this room on weekend nights.

The new menu is a “bar menu” featuring .59 cent wings all the time. The wings tap into many of the flavors rolled out when the team started and used to own Delia Foley’s. The menu also has burgers, sandwiches, and tacos.

“With games and discounted food, we thought we could bring people in earlier, but still be a late-night place,” said the Ropewalk spokesperson.

The front signage was updated and the buildings that used to say McFaul’s now say Ropewalk in a logo with bowling pins. A new hanging Ropewalk sign with a bowling pin reads “Eat, Drink, Play.”

The team is excited to open in time for the Ravens playoff run as well as to host its 25th Ronald Reagan birthday party on February 6th.

Many of Ropewalk’s staff and bartenders are returning.

Ropewalk is open Tuesday to Thursday from 430pm to 2am, Friday from 2pm to 2am, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2am.

Photos courtesy of Ropewalk Tavern

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/16/a-renovated-ropewalk-reopens-with-duckpin-lanes-arcade-games-and-a-new-menu/

‘Vagrant Coffee’ Takes Over ‘3 Bean Coffee’ in Federal Hill, Will Also Open a New Pigtown Location

Vagrant Coffee started as a traveling pop-up and catering coffee business in 2017 and has since grown to have four brick-and-mortar shops in its portfolio. It opened Cafe @ 1100 in Pigtown in January; took over Milk & Honey Market in August, which has a location in Station North and will be opening a location next year in Pigtown; and took over 3 Bean Coffee in Federal Hill on October 1st.

Josh Dew and Jared Cate are the co-founders of Vagrant. Dew told SouthBMore.com the mobile business grew to the point where it made sense to start acquiring other cafes. Dew and Cate met when they both worked at Ceremony Coffee Roasters and decided to team up after learning that a lot of people were requesting baristas for special events. They started a mobile cafe out of a Mini Cooper and started attending events and farmers markets. The mobile cafe remains an important part of their business as they have added brick-and-mortar locations.

Vagrant Coffee roasts its own beans at another coffee shop in Canton. Dew says Vagrant sources its beans from all over the world and looks to create a medium blend.

Vagrant was involved in the relaunch of Milk & Honey Market at the Nelson Kohl Apartment building 10 E. Lanvale St. in Station North since its opening in December 2018. It started as a consulting agreement with Milk & Honey Market using Vagrant’s products, and the company later took over the business in August.

Milk & Honey Market was owned by Dana Valery who is the wife of Ernst Valery, a principal with SAA/EVI which developed Nelson Kohl and developed Bath House Square at 906 Washington Blvd. in Pigtown where the second Milk & Honey Market will open. Dew said he hopes to partner with SAA/EVI to open more cafes in its buildings.

Dew said the Pigtown location of Milk & Honey Market could open in January. The 1,700 sq. ft. cafe will follow the same model as the Station North location. It will serve drip coffee drinks and lattes, along with nitro cold brew, kombucha from Baltimore’s Wild Kombucha, and tea from Baltimore’s Wight Tea Company. Food will be “classic American lunch fare” including turkey sandwiches and chicken salad served on bread from local bakeries, salads, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries, and hash from Baltimore’s Stone’s Throw Hash.

Milk & Honey Market will open on a block that has seen significant investment including the under-construction Groundwork Kitchen restaurant and culinary arts training facility, Bath House Square, and businesses including Suspended Brewing Company, Mobtown Ballroom, and REEF Kitchens.

“Pigtown is a very interesting place and very up-and-coming,” said Dew, who added that they are following through on the Valery family vision of opening a business to benefit the community.

Milk & Honey Market is open Monday to Friday from 630am to 630pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm in Station North. The Pigtown location will have similar hours.

3 Bean has been undergoing renovations at its space at 209 Key Hwy. and will be rebranded with the name Vagrant Coffee when its new sign is installed in the near future. Vagrant upgraded the food menu with the same items served at Milk & Honey Market. Vagrant kept 3 Bean’s staff in place during the ownership change.

Dew said the 3 Bean location is “very strategic” as well as “beautiful” with its views of the Inner Harbor. He noted its location across from Rash Field and the Inner Harbor allows them to sell coffee to tourists, and its location near I-95 and Downtown allows them to be an easy stop for commuters entering and leaving the city.

Work is wrapping up on the reconstruction of the Key Hwy. and Light St. intersection. Dew said they are excited the work in front of the shop has been completed, but that it also allowed Vagrant to coordinate renovations to the shop while exterior work was taking place. The front parking area of 3 Bean now has a protective median that separates it from Key Hwy., an effort by Baltimore City Department of Transportation to make the entire intersection more pedestrian-friendly.

A redevelopment of Rash Field will begin early next year, and Dew said they are excited to be the coffee shop that serves Rash Field and they are looking to make a strong connection with the park.

Cafe @ 1100 is located in the lobby of 1100 Wicomico and mostly serves the tenants of the 416,000 sq. ft office building, according to Dew. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm.

Vagrant Coffee currently has 24 employees.

Dew said another location in South Baltimore is a possibility and they are interested in opening a location in Port Covington near City Garage and South Point.

3 Bean Coffee

New median and reconstructed Key Hwy. in front of 3 Bean Coffee 

Future location of Milk & Honey Market at Bath House Square in Pigtown 

Cafe @ 1100

The Vagrant Coffee Mini Cooper. Photo courtesy of Vagrant Coffee’s Facebook page

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/13/vagrant-coffee-takes-over-3-bean-coffee-in-federal-hill-will-also-open-a-new-pigtown-location/