Robin Godwin: HomeSlyce Federal Hill Relocating to 2 East Wells

HomeSlyce is relocating its ‘Federal Hill’ location, but is only moving less than two blocks away. HomeSlyce, which is currently at 1741 Light St., will move in the next two months to the 2 East Wells apartment building. It will occupy the the 2,000 sq. ft. retail space that was last home to Baltimore Soup Company.

HomeSlyce owner Haluk Kantar told SouthBMore.com that his business has six months left on its current lease and needs a more modern space. He said the current building “really needs a lot of upgrades” and that the new space is “perfect.” He is excited to be a little closer to the boom of new residential around Wells St.

Kantar said they were looking around Cross St. in Federal Hill, but said it was never a fit as they want to be more of a restaurant than a bar. He noted many South Baltimore residents eat at HomeSlyce before going out in Federal Hill.

HomeSlyce is changing up its theme a bit at the new location. It will no longer have a bar, but it will have a self-service draft wall with 10 beers, three wines, and three mixed drinks.

HomeSlyce, which started in South Baltimore, currently has six locations and is planning several more with another location opening soon in Clarksville. All the locations will transition to this new draft wall model.

“When we originally started HomeSlyce, we wanted to be a little different,” said Kantar. “There have been a lot of restaurants opening up that are similar to us with high-end pizza in a bar environment. It will be 10 years for us next April, and we need to do more things to make us a little bit different.”

He also talked about the “huge labor shortage” and said this new concept plays into that perfectly.

Kantar said customers can have the option of having full-service, self-service, or something in between. Customers can order from an app and have food arrive at their table, or have a server.

For the customers who were used to sitting at the bar and chatting with neighbors, there will be a communal table Kantar hopes will accommodate that crowd. He said while customers can still get beer, wine, and mixed drinks, one big change is customers will no longer be able to order shots.

“We want to focus more on food again,” said Kantar. He said carryout is now about 60 percent of his business and he expects that to be the new norm.

The food menu will remain the same with HomeSlyce’s gourmet pizzas, Slyces, calzones, wings, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and desserts.

The dining room from Baltimore Soup Company will remain in the same spot, and the former ordering counter will be where the kitchen and draft wall will be located. Customers will be greeted by a host who will assist with orders and use of the draft wall.

HomeSlyce will have access to about 8 to 10 parking spaces in the garage. Kantar noted there is more street parking at this location than in front of the soon-to-be-former location, and said this will make life a lot easier for his delivery drivers and customers.

Kantar said its Federal Hill location has been a “home run location” and he’s happy to commit to the area for many more years. “It’s is a great community,” he said.