Robin Godwin

Friday, August 6, 2021

TWISB Episode 15: Discussing New Restaurants, Local Business News, and Real Estate Investments

On Episode 14 of This Week in South Baltimore, Kevin and Nate discuss new COVID-19 mandates; new restaurants that have opened in South Baltimore adding barbecue, Mexican food, and southern cuisine; local business news including a new gym, new dog training studio, and a change of ownership at Federal Hill Ace Hardware; and real estate investments that include park improvements, new townhomes, and a theatre project.

Subscribe here on iTunes (and make sure to give us a 5-star review!): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-south-baltimore/id1522759483

Podcast archive on SouthBMore.com: https://www.southbmore.com/baltimore/podcasts/

The post TWISB Episode 15: Discussing New Restaurants, Local Business News, and Real Estate Investments first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/06/twisb-episode-15-discussing-new-restaurants-local-business-news-and-real-estate-investments/

Thursday, August 5, 2021

Federal Hill Ace Hardware Now Employee Owned

Federal Hill Ace Hardware, which is part of the A Few Cool Hardware Stores (AFCHS) group, is now employee owned. AFCHS owns 13 stores in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. area including Canton Ace Hardware and Waverly Ace. All 13 AFCHS stores are moving to the employee-owned model.

AFCHS owners Gina Schaefer and Marc Friedman are selling their company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP allows business owners to sell their company to a trust which then allocates shares of that trust to eligible employees. Since stock is only made available to employees, the business therefore becomes “employee owned.”

ESOPs offer employees stake in a company through a stock allocation that accrues value over time, much like a 401(K) plan. The amount of stock distributed is determined by the number of employees receiving shares and each employee’s individual salary. This comes at no cost the employees. When eligible employees leave AFCHS, they are cashed out the value of their shares.

Schaefer and Friedman will transfer ownership of the organization over the next several years through the ESOP’s trust under the name “The Cool Hardware Company.” The upfront transfer of 30 percent of the company’s ownership took place on August 1, 2021.

AFCHS has more than 250 employees.

In a press release, AFCHS said: “The benefits of this transition from privately-owned to employee-owned include increased staff engagement in decision making processes, personal wealth building, and an active investment in the success and health of the business.”

“The ESOP model allows us to give back to the employees who have done so much for our company, while still aligning with the culture we’re proud to have built over the last 20 years of business,” said Schaefer.

AFCHS started in 2013. Federal Hill Ace Hardware opened in 2007 and expanded from about 8,000 sq. ft. to approximately 12,000 sq. ft. in 2017.

Photo from Federal Hill Ace Hardware

The post Federal Hill Ace Hardware Now Employee Owned first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/05/federal-hill-ace-hardware-now-employee-owned/

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Smokin Joe’s Smokehouse Cafe Coming to Federal Hill

Smokin Joe’s Smokehouse Cafe is opening an 800 sq. ft. space at 1448 Light St. in Federal Hill. It was former home of Blooming Deli, which closed in April. Smokin Joe’s is a BBQ restaurant from eastern North Carolina native Jacqueline Murphy.

Smokin Joe’s had a location in La Plata, offered catering, and was a staple at different farmers markets and events, including the Pigtown Festival for the past 10 years. However, Murphy said COVID wiped out most of her business. Now, Smokin Joe’s is starting all over with this new location in Federal Hill.

Smokin Joe’s will sell eastern North Carolina’s signature, vinegar-based pulled pork, along with other meats including brisket, smoked chicken, pit beef, smoked corned beef, smoked lamb, and smoked tuna steak. It will also sell southern Maryland stuffed ham, a local delicacy she picked up while in La Plata.

Sides will include hush puppies, biscuits, collard greens, kale, cabbage, green beans, roasted potatoes, coleslaw, potato salad, and smoked vegetables such as zucchini and asparagus.

Plates can be ordered as sandwiches or platters, and as combo meals with sides.

Smokin Joe’s will also add a southern-style breakfast menu. This will include its Breakfast Shake which is a cup with grits, eggs, sausage gravy, and meat of choice.

Drinks will includes fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, sodas, and waters.

Smokin Joe’s will have seven seats inside and seven outdoor seats in front of the restaurant.

Murphy said she hopes to open by the end of this week.

The hours will be Sunday to Monday from 11am to 8pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm.

The post Smokin Joe’s Smokehouse Cafe Coming to Federal Hill first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/04/smokin-joes-smokehouse-cafe-coming-to-federal-hill/

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Crime Map, the following crimes were reported in the last 30 days.

Ridgely’s Delight

LARCENY, 600 S FREMENT AVE, THURSDAY, 7/7/2021, 14:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 300 PENN ST, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 4:00

Stadium Area

LARCENY, 1200 S HOWARD ST, TUESDAY, 7/19/2021, 21:00

Barre Circle

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 800 W LOMBARD ST, TUESDAY, 7/12/2021, 3:00

Otterbein

LARCENY, 600 S CHARLES ST, TUESDAY, 7/12/2021, 21:00

LARCENY, 400 LIGHT ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/27/2021, 1:00

Sharp-Leadenhall

ROBBERY – STREET, 100 W CROSS ST, SATURDAY, 7/2/2021, 1:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 100 W HAMBURG ST, TUESDAY, 7/12/2021, 15:00

BURGLARY, 100 W CROSS ST, FRIDAY, 7/15/2021, 7:00

LARCENY, 100 W HAMBURG ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/20/2021, 6:00

LARCENY, 100 W HAMBURG ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/20/2021, 20:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1100 LEADENHALL ST, SATURDAY, 7/23/2021, 21:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, RACE ST & W OSTEND ST, TUESDAY, 7/26/2021, 13:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1000 LEADENHALL ST, THURSDAY, 7/28/2021, 19:00

BURGLARY, 100 W OSTEND ST, SATURDAY, 7/30/2021, 2:00

BURGLARY, 1100 S HANOVER ST, SATURDAY, 7/30/2021, 2:00

Federal Hill

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1000 S CHARLES ST, SUNDAY, 7/10/2021, 1:00

AUTO THEFT, 0 LIGHT ST, MONDAY, 7/11/2021, 4:00

LARCENY, 800 S HANOVER ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/13/2021, 13:00

LARCENY, 1200 LIGHT ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/20/2021, 0:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 1200 S CHARLES ST, THURSDAY, 7/21/2021, 3:00

LARCENY, 0 W MONTGOMERY ST, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 21:00

LARCENY, 1100 S CHARLEST ST, SATURDAY, 7/23/2021, 23:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, S CHARLES ST & E HAMBURG ST, FRIDAY, 7/29/2021, 14:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 100 E HAMBURG ST, FRIDAY, 7/29/2021, 18:00

Federal Hill South/Riverside

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1700 JOHNSON ST, SATURDAY, 7/9/2021, 17:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1800 JOHNSON ST, MONDAY, 7/11/2021, 17:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1700 JACKSON ST, SATURDAY, 7/16/2021, 0:00

LARCENY, 100 E OSTEND ST, SUNDAY, 7/17/2021, 13:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1600 COVINGTON ST, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 5:00

ROBBERY – STREET, E GITTINGS ST. AND RIVERSIDE AVE, SATURDAY, 7/23/2021, 0:00

ROBBERY – STREET, E GITTINGS ST. AND RIVERSIDE AVE, SATURDAY, 7/23/2021, 0:00 (MORE INFO HERE)

South Baltimore Neighborhood

ROBBERY – STREET, E BARNEY ST & S CHARLES ST, SATURDAY, 7/23/2021, 5:00

ROBBERY – RESIDENCE, 1500 PATAPSCO ST, SATURDAY, 7/30/2021, 11:00

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 200 E PRATT ST, FRIDAY, 7/1/2021, 17:00

AUTO THEFT, 700 EASTERN AVE, SUNDAY, 7/3/2021, 1:00

LARCENY, 300 LIGHT ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/6/2021, 2:00

AGGRAVATED ASAULT, 300 LIGHT ST, FRIDAY, 7/8/2021, 18:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 200 E PRATT ST, FRIDAY, 7/15/2021, 1:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 700 EASTERN AVE, SUNDAY, 7/17/2021, 0:00

LARCENY, 400 KEY HWY, THURSDAY, 7/21/2021, 19:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 400 E PRATT ST, SUNDAY 7/24/2021, 19:00

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

AUTO THEFT, TOWSON ST. & MARRIOTT ST, MONDAY, 7/4/2021, 3:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, KEY HWY & MCCOMAS ST, FRIDAY, 7/8/2021, 0:00

LARCENY, 1600 WHETSTONE WAY, WEDNESDAY, 7/13/2021, 2:00

Pigtown

LARCENY, 1400 WARD ST, TUESDAY, 7/5/2021, 14:00

AUTO THEFT, 1000 BAYARD ST, THURSDAY, 7/7/2021, 15:00

AUTO THEFT, 1400 WASHINGTON BLVD, 7/11/2021, 7:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 500 ARCHER ST, MONDAY, 7/11/2021, 20:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1100 NANTICOKE ST, FRIDAY, 7/15/2021, 18:00

AUTO THEFT, 1100 JAMES ST, SATURDAY, 7/16/2021, 13:00

LARCENY, 1300 CLEVELAND ST, SATURDAY, 7/16/2021, 17:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1100 NANTICOKE ST, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 20:00

BURGLARY, 1400 WASHINGTON BLVD, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 22:00

LARCENY, 600 ARCHER ST, SUNDAY, 7/24/2021, 11:00

AUTO THEFT, CARROLL ST & PARKIN ST, SUNDAY, 7/25/2021, 22:00

LARCENY, 800 RYAN ST, TUESDAY, 7/26/2021, 23:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1300 S CAREY ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/27/2021, 11:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 900 MCHENRY ST, THURSDAY, 7/28/2021, 0:00

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1500 RUSSELL ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/6/2021, 6:00

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSELL ST, FRIDAY, 7/8/2021, 3:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 1500 RUSSELL ST, SATURDAY, 7/9/2021, 6:00

HOMICIDE, 1800 S MONROE ST, SUNDAY, 7/10/2021, 17:00

AUTO THEFT, 1500 RUSSELL ST, MONDAY, 7/11/2021, 11:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1800 RUSSELL ST, WEDNESDAY, 7/13/2021, 9:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, WICOMICO ST & S MONROE ST, 7/17/2021, 12:00

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSELL ST, SUNDAY, 7/17/2021, 2:00

LARCENY, 1500 RUSSELL ST, SUNDAY, 7/17/2021, 22:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 2100 HAINES ST, THURSDAY, 7/21/2021, 15:00

LARCENY FROM AUTO, 1500 RUSSELL ST, SUNDAY, 7/24/2021, 12:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1500 RUSSELL ST, MONDAY, 7/26/2021, 4:00

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, 2000 HAINES ST, FRIDAY, 7/29/2021, 4:00

Hollins Market

ROBBERY – STREET, S CARLTON & W LOMBARD ST, 7/4/2021, 3:00

ROBBERY – COMMERCIAL, 1200 W BALTIMORE ST, TUESDAY, 7/12/2021, 16:00

AUTO THEFT, HOLLINS ST & S SCHROEDER ST, FRIDAY, 7/22/2021, 22:00

ROBBERY – STREET, 1000 W PRATT ST, SATURDAY, 7/30/2021, 20:00

Union Square

AUTO THEFT, 0 S CALHOUN ST, THURSDAY, 7/7/2021, 2:00

BURGLARY, 1300 W LOMBARD ST, SATURDAY 7/9/2021, 14:00

AUTO THEFT, 0 S STRICKER ST, FRIDAY, 7/29/2021, 22:00

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

The post South Baltimore Crime Updates first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/03/south-baltimore-crime-updates-208/

Tonight: National Night Out Events in South Baltimore

National Night Out, which takes place tonight, is “an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.”

Below are some National Night Out events taking place in South Baltimore.

Federal Hill Main Street at 42 E. Cross Street: 5pm-8pm

From Federal Hill Main Street:

Bring your family and friends, enjoy a fun night with DJ, fire truck, police vehicles, games, face painting, balloon artist, bubbles, and more. The event will be held on the north side of E Cross Street. near the Cross Street Market.

Otterbein/Sharp-Leadenhall Event at Solo Gibbs Park: 6pm-8pm

From Otterbein Community Association:

An annual community-building campaign to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Building safer neighborhoods through prevention, education and community partnership.

Hosted by South Baltimore Partnership. A community-based organization located in historic Sharp-Leadenhall. Their mission is community engagement through active resident participation in programs and events.

Ridgely’s Delight at Conway Park: 6pm-9pm

From Ridgely’s Delight:

National Night Out is an annual event that encourages people to get outside to meet their neighbors and interact with police and fire fighters. The event is meant to strengthen neighborhood spirit and build partnerships in an informal setting.

Bring the roommates, the kids or just yourself and enjoy an evening of socializing. The Ridgely’s Delight Association will be providing hot dogs, burgers and veggie options and we ask neighbors to bring a side dish or dessert to share. BYOB.

Dogs are ok, but must be kept on a leash.

National Night Out ‘Summer Pup Social’ at Henry Park – Federal Hill South: 5:30pm-7pm

From Federal Hill South Neighborhood Association:

The post Tonight: National Night Out Events in South Baltimore first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/03/tonight-national-night-out-events-in-south-baltimore/

Monday, August 2, 2021

Tree Falls in Federal Hill Business District

Amid a day of rain storms, a large tree fell on the 1000 block of Light St. in the Federal Hill Business District on Sunday afternoon. The tree was located in front of Brendali Italian Ristorante and Rhea Eyebrow Threading.

The tree fell towards the street and damaged a parked car.

The tree has been chopped up and a stump now remains in the tree pit.

Photo courtesy of Will Fagg of Tinybrickoven

The post Tree Falls in Federal Hill Business District first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/02/tree-falls-in-federal-hill-business-district/

Speed Humps Added to Warren Street in Federal Hill

New speed humps were recently added to the100, 200, and 300 blocks of Warren Ave. in Federal Hill. Warren Ave. is one of the main thoroughfares to get to Federal Hill Park.

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) President Beth Whitmer said her organization put in an urgent request for speed humps after a homicide and late partying occurred in the park last year. “With the current issues we have with speeding cars, cars going the wrong way on one-way streets, and dirt bikes, the request got more attention,” she said.

Whitmer said Councilman Eric Costello and Liam Davis, the legislative affairs manager at Baltimore City Department of Transportation, were helpful in expediting this request.

Whitmer said FHNA has requested a speed hump study for Covington St. as well.

The post Speed Humps Added to Warren Street in Federal Hill first appeared on SouthBMore.com.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2021/08/02/speed-humps-added-to-warren-street-in-federal-hill/