Baltimore is home to a plethora of top-notch thrift and consignment stores, as any bargain hunting fashion plate can attest. Whether you’re looking to declutter your closets or score something new-to-you to rock, we’ve got you covered for the best spots around town to both drop off and pick up.

Goodwill Fells Point
Out of several locations in the area, the Goodwill location on Broadway offers the best selection for contemporary brands like Anthropologie and Stuart Weitzman. Although the store size is smaller than others, they make up for it by carrying a diverse range of sizes. If you love the Goodwill hunt and are willing to pay a couple dollars more for quality designers and materials, then this location is worth a visit. 715 S Broadway, 410-327-2211

Value Village Thrift Store
Larger than your average thrift store, Value Village boasts two levels of organized men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing. Looking through their inventory is like taking a trip through the decades, with a selection including modern designer labels as well as vintage finds. In the heart of Highlandtown, this store is known for its tidiness and consistency. Reasonable prices mean most customers never leave empty handed. 3424 Eastern Ave., 410-327-5300

Uptown Cheapskate Timonium
For those who like to get an idea of what’s in store before stopping by, Uptown Cheapskate keeps its customers in the loop by regularly posting new finds on their Facebook and Instagram pages. The store maintains a rotating stock of designer brands like Tory Burch, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade, with a variety of new and vintage pieces. This is the spot for young adults looking for a large selection of secondhand designer apparel and accessories. 2143A York Rd., 410-560-5890

Redeux Consignment
Redeux Consignment is a mecca for those looking to buy quality or designer merchandise for a fraction of the retail cost. Everything you’ll find in this Roland Park consignment store is a top-tier brand and in suitable condition for resale. For up-to-date fashion, browse their large selection of sizes in products ranging from women’s clothing and shoes to bags and accessories. 5002 Lawndale Ave., 410-323-2140

The Wise Penny
Run by the Junior League of Baltimore, The Wise Penny on York Road is a thrift store with a mission. Proceeds from sales of the shop’s new and gently used merchandise go towards funding the Junior League’s charitable projects in the community. But that’s not the only thing to love about The Wise Penny—its already deeply discounted designer and household items go on even further sale multiple times throughout the year. 5902 York Rd., 410-435-3244

A Day N June
What began as a pop-up vintage shop is now a full-time thrift store on Pulaski Street. A Day N June has used and vintage clothing sourced from trade shows in L.A., New York, and other thrift stores across the country—all handpicked by owner Lindsey Brown. Brown’s favorite vintage clothes and accessories are far from ordinary, incorporating street style elements and vibrant colors. 208 S Pulaski St., 443-314-8995

Second Chance
If you find yourself mid-home décor project and looking for something unique to bring your space to life, Second Chance should be your go-to. Established as a nonprofit to preserve the Baltimore region’s architectural heritage, Second Chance focuses its efforts towards reclaiming materials for public use. In the massive warehouse near M&T Bank Stadium, you will find antiques, lighting fixtures, building supplies, indoor and outdoor furniture and more, as far as the eye can see. 1700 Ridgely St., 410-385-1700

Tried But True
Mothers and moms-to-be looking to avoid spending a fortune on maternity wear swear by the children’s and maternity selection at Tried But True in Cockeysville. In the business for more than 30 years, the resale boutique has a wide range of kid-focused wares including strollers, baby furniture, toys, and infant- to toddler-size clothing. Everything is in good condition and available for a reasonable price and can be consigned when kids inevitably outgrow their pieces. 10914 York Rd., 410-666-9265

Vogue Revisited
Vogue Revisited in Roland Park boasts an array of quality name-brand inventory for all sizes, with new apparel arriving daily. Their curated selection is super-organized, making it easy to find everything from high-end designer boots to top-of-the-line bags, all resold at a below-retail price. They also accept new or gently worn items like clothing, jewelry, or shoes that are on-trend and in good condition for consignment. 4002 Roland Ave., 410-235-4140

 

Lately, you might have been hearing about something called “love languages.” But what exactly is a love language? Turns out, we all have one, and it’s a great way to understand how our loved ones best receive love. We asked Raffi Bilek of The Baltimore Therapy Center to explain what love languages mean and how we can all become fluent in them.

What is a love language?
A love language is a particular mode of communicating love to another person. Most people have one way of receiving love that resonates with them more than another. I might appreciate it if you make me a coffee, but I really feel loved if you give me a back rub. You, on the other hand, may feel much more loved from the coffee than the massage.

What are the different types?
The innovator of the concept of love languages, Dr. Gary Chapman, laid out five of them that broadly cover all the ways people might communicate their love to each other. They are words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, gifting, and physical touch. Words of affirmation include compliments, verbal appreciation, and any positive thoughts shared between partners. Quality time means doing activities together or doing nothing as long as it’s together. Acts of service are instances where you are taking care of tasks for each other, such as washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, packing their lunch, or anything else that is taking care of their needs. Gifts are tangible tokens of your love: jewelry might be an option, but so would a simple homemade fridge magnet. Physical touch, then, is hugs and kisses, back rubs, sexual touch, even a pat on the arm in passing.

How can we find out what our love language is?
For some people, it’s enough to look at the list and see the right one jump out at you. For other people, it might take a little more thought. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to figure it out on the official Five Love Languages website.

Once we know our love language, how do we use that information?
It can be helpful to communicate this to your partner. People generally try to give in the way they want to be given to. But, if your partner is a gifts person, they may show their love by showering you with gifts—that may not feel fulfilling to you. Letting them know that you appreciate the presents, but what you’d really like is to go out on a picnic together, will save you both the pain and frustration of not feeling connected.

Can this be applied to family and friends as well as romantic partnerships?
Yes, love languages are relevant to all relationships.

WHAT YOU NEED:

A LOVE LANGUAGE: Step one is to figure out how you prefer to receive love.

COMMUNICATION: Let your loved ones know how you prefer to receive love and ask them to do the same.

PRACTICE: Once you know your loved one’s love language, begin trying to express your love to them in meaningful ways.

In the midst of such a tragic year, Baltimore-based entrepreneur Kalilah Wright was hit with personally devastating news earlier this month. Her mentor and friend, Cici Gunn, a fellow business woman and financial advisor known as “The Six Figure Chick,” passed away on August 14.

The news hit Wright especially hard. Gunn had been her source of inspiration, and she was always there for Wright to turn to in times of need. (In a memorial post to Instagram, Wright recalls a time when Gunn gave her money to buy a new laptop after being robbed. “Your kindness and generosity never cease to amaze me,” Wright said.)  

In addition to her friendship, Gunn’s valuable lessons on social media management helped Wright grow her own apparel company, Mess In A Bottle. 

“She taught me how to teach others,” says Wright, who uses some of Gunn’s practices in what she calls “The Tee Class”, a now-virtual learning platform where she teaches others how to launch their own T-shirt businesses. 

Now, she’s channeling all of the inspiration from Gunn into continuing the growth of her company, which has come a long way since its inception in 2015.

Throughout the past five years, Mess in a Bottle has struck a chord on social media, amassing more than 140,000 Instagram followers. It’s been featured on “Shark Tank” and celebrities like Serena Willams and Insecure’s Yvonne Orji have donned the Baltimore brand that showcases empowering phrases such as “A Black woman created this” and “As strong as the woman next to me.”

Suffice it to say, Wright is not afraid to speak her mind—or wear it, for that matter. It’s something that she considers a form of activism.

The native of Jamaica moved to Baltimore from Brooklyn, New York to attend grad school at Morgan State University. Following graduation she worked for Under Armour, but after the Baltimore Uprising in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray, she felt a call to empower others through clothes. 

“I started Mess In A Bottle as a form of communication and as a conversation starter,” says the 36-year-old business woman. And she’s had no shortage of inspiration to spark some of those important conversations this year.  

Even in the midst of the coronavirus, the self-proclaimed fearless Black woman isn’t slowing down. In August, Wright opened her first brick-and-mortar store on Howard Street boasting the brand’s signature black-and-white aesthetic. Although she’s currently only offering curbside pickup, Wright plans on an official grand opening in 2021.

As a woman who started the business on her own, she says that it’s been “very rewarding to see this grow from a one-person company to now having employees and management.” 

We talked with her about being a Black female business owner, keeping momentum in the middle of a pandemic, and how clothing can be used as a form of activism.  

You talk about how you were inspired to start your company after the Baltimore Uprising in 2015. What was going through your mind when you launched Mess in a Bottle?
I was an architect working for Under Armour, and I felt like the people needed a way to have a voice throughout the riots. So, I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless. People felt unheard and unseen. That was one of the reasons for the riots. I wasn’t nervous about jumping into entrepreneurship because I had been dabbling in it. I was just ready. It felt like the right time for me to really explore my creativity.

What are some of the milestones you’ve reached since then?
We will be in a [yet to be revealed] mass retailer in 2021. We have hit more than a million dollars in sales. We’ve been on television with Mark Cuban. I’ve had celebrities wear my garments. We’ve also gained a very high traction within our community where we have almost 150,000 followers on social media.

How has COVID-19 impacted your businesses?
It didn’t negatively impact the business per se. It really forced us to strengthen our foundation, as well as our processes. But we’ve done really well, and we’ve opened a storefront during the pandemic. We have managed to hire 16 Black women on our team and ninety percent of our production happens in our Baltimore facility. 

I recently read that you’ve been marching and peacefully protesting in support of Black Lives Matter, but some may call apparel a form of protest, too. What does activism look like for you?
I don’t think there’s one way to protest. There’s a lot of silent protestors, people who may not want to be vocal, but they want to get their message into the world. Wearing your message is definitely a form of activism.

Tell me about one of your favorite pieces on sale right now? How did that go from being an idea to an actual product that people can buy?
Right now, we are putting up a shirt that says, “She Black,” in support of Kamala Harris, who was recently selected as Joe Biden’s running mate. The premise behind it is that we have a lot of people who are now questioning who she is and whether she is of African descent, and I’m like, “She Black, period.” Sometimes I just go off of how I feel. It’s mainly the words that I say that end up becoming a message. 

Describe your personal style.
I am a fan of a rip in a jean. I love a nice beautiful head wrap or scarf. I’m always with my round-frame glasses. I’m a good mix of classic with a little bit of art and punk rock. It’s just my way of being very clean and chic.

Who are some people that you look up to?
I love Black culture. I’m a huge fan of Black creatives such as Lena Waithe, Yvonne Orji, and Bozoma Saint John. Those are all Black women who are pioneers in their industry who inspire me.

What are some challenges you’ve faced?
It’s always difficult having a company and transitioning through inventory and figuring out startup capital. As a minority-owned and woman-owned business, we might not have as much access to capital. Those are things that get really difficult, but we have been able to strategically grow the business and the brand. 

Where do you see Mess in a Bottle—and yourself, for that matter—in the next five years?
I see myself and Mess in a Bottle being on the shelf of a mass retail company and continuing to expand and grow into a lifestyle brand.

Sometimes with increased popularity, you have to deal with the possibility of criticism. Have you had to deal with any major backlash?
You know, not really. People are very supportive of us being a Black-owned, woman-owned, immigrant-owned company. They support us having a voice and being able to lend our voice in whatever capacity.

Trohv owner Carmen Brock and I both joke we gave birth the last week of October 2006. Carmen to an amazing shop on the Avenue, and me to my oldest son, Milo. Throughout every milestone—from the terrible twos to the angsty double digits to the Bar Mitzvah stage just this past year—we were both proud mamas.

So hearing that Trohv is closing next month feels like a death in the family. It makes my heart ache. I feel like I should be sitting shiva.

When Trohv—then called Red Tree—opened on the Avenue in 2006, it immediately became a favorite spot for holiday shopping, special gifts (the first thing my daughter, Willa, uttered when she heard about Trohv closing was, “But where will we get your Mother’s Day gifts now?”), items for the home, beautiful jewelry, and funny cards.

“When we first opened up people were trying to figure out what we were and what we were doing,” recalls Carmen. “People would come in asking for wigs, hair dryers, and sports bras—I loved that so much,” she laughs.

In my 14 years at Baltimore magazine, first as Style Editor and now as HOME and Weddings Editor, I have probably pulled 6,000 items to photograph for various shoots. Carmen always said yes. Even if I busted through the door breathless, gasping “trivet”—something vital I thought was missing from my latest styled shoot that was happening in five minutes—she would always say, “no problem” and have me quickly on my way. We’ve pulled tables and chairs and vases and books and jewelry and baskets. I remember at one point, the late Baltimore magazine executive editor Dick Basoco calling me into his office, “No. More. Trohv,” he admonished. That only lasted a few weeks before I was back there again.

Since I’ve known Carmen for so long, I was honored to be sent a Google document to sign up for shifts and help out the last few weeks the store is in business. The crowds have been huge (lines wrap around the block with only a few customers inside at a time) and if it could help Carmen and her associates, including Dawn Hudson and Bree Fischvogt, of course I would do it. My daughter and I spent a few hours there this past Sunday zhuzhing, rearranging, and, yes, shopping. Even with everyone coming and going and wanting to bask in the light that is Carmen, she made my daughter feel like she was number one. She gave her tasks, trusted her to answer the phone, and wrote everything Willa would need to know on a scrap of paper in her beautiful handwriting. That is the Carmen aura: freshly baked doughnuts, puppies, and a bouquet of peonies all wrapped into one.

I was also able to witness so many approaching Carmen—it’s so hard not to wrap her in a big hug—and telling her “this shop was my favorite.” Or “I bought my most beloved gift here.” Or “I came to a pop-up and it was amazing.” Ohh, the pop-ups. So many good ones.

“We did this ‘Beers and Spears’ event in 2012 where we featured Union Craft—they were really new—and Gordy’s Pickles,” Carmen remembers. “It was a really fun thing to do.” And then there were all the events with Damian Mosley from Blacksauce Kitchen. And truly one of the best gatherings involved Krystal Mack and the release of Cherry Bombe: The Cookbook. Krystal brought together local female chefs and they “all came to the shop and made amazing food,” Carmen recalls.

In my forever memory, a beautiful blanket Carmen gifted my daughter at her birth in 2009, is now my 9-year-old’s most beloved lovey. It’s probably in 17 million family photos and will always make me think of Trohv. (That and the smell of rose hips and anytime anyone mentions store windows—Trohv’s were the best.)

And on Facebook, so many stories of artists and makers repeat over and over that Carmen always welcomed them. “Trohv is one of my favorite shops anywhere and Carmen is the sweetest person on earth,” commented Elisa Shere. “They were the first ‘big’ store that approached me about wholesaling my jewelry after I quit my ad agency job.”

My friend Kate Beck posted, “It feels larger than the fact that Carmen was one of the first to make shelf space in her beautiful shop for my jam, and the enormity of her generosity towards me (and my little business) at that time. Larger than the faith they had in my quirky creativity when I borrowed items for photo shoots. And larger than the smiles, hugs, and high fives received time and time again when I went in there to chat about another nutty new business idea…”

I don’t want to give up valuable space in my Trohv eulogy to address the why. But I will say it didn’t have to be like this. Small businesses should have been given a lifeline. Now, this city, specifically Hampden, won’t be the same. It’s hard to believe all these empty storefronts are the only answer.

Trohv is the heart and soul of this community—sponsoring Stoop Stories, Pile of Craft, Skatepark of Baltimore, among a million other things. Hosting crafters and dreamers. Always saying yes. The ripple effect of this closure will be felt by many.

Asking Carmen what her next move will be is like asking a newly engaged bride when the wedding day is…we have to give it some time. I have my own fantasies that involve a Champagne bar and a curated selection of items. Or pairing up with a local chef for a restaurant and mercantile combo, like Jacoby’s in Austin. I just know Carmen won’t be sidelined for long.

“It has been the joy of my life to have a small business in Baltimore,” Carmen says. “For me, Trohv felt like a laboratory that sort of became a personal love story, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to have worked, hustled, lived, and loved the many creative people in this beautiful town. So many people have been involved: friends, families, community members, and artists, and they are all a really big part of raising Trohv.”

And even though there have been tears, there are also big belly laughs. “We have enormous pieces of furniture and often they come wrapped in big cardboard boxes,” Carmen says. “It became a tradition: I started hiding inside of them. So when a person on staff and sometimes a customer—it was always during open hours—came in, I would jump out of it or wait until they opened it and try to move it,” she says laughing.

The thing that is most genuine about Carmen, aside from her wanderlust and wanting the world to be a better place, is that she truly gets joy from other people. She’s fueled by their energy. It’s hard for her to take a compliment because she wants to put the attention on YOU.

But Carmen, please listen up. I hope you understand why you are so loved. I hope you know the huge imprint you leave behind. Thank you for Trohv.

As shops around the city remain closed, many have struggled to sustain business in the interim, causing them to shift their models. Some have created full-fledged online stores, while others have developed curbside delivery options. And the shoppers? Well, chances are you’re one of them. We all miss our regular hangouts, getting brunch with friends, and maybe checking the latest inventory at our favorite shops on the way home.

Among the creative solutions that local boutiques have come up with are care packages. (Or self-care packages depending on who you’re shopping for.) Whether ordering a box of hair supplies or a basket of home décor treasures, here are a few options to support Baltimore’s small shops while keeping calm at home.

For The Pick-Me-Up

A sweet mix of stuck-at-home goodies, the “limelight” package from Hunting Ground is a box packed with all of your self-care needs. They’re free to ship and the contents bundle price of $88 comes to 20 percent-off retail costs.

For The Hair Care Refresh

Just because your salon is closed, doesn’t mean you have to forgo regular upkeep. Thanks to Ash & Oak salon, hair care kits are being made to help you keep your locks at bay in the meantime. Smaller kits range from $56-$75, while larger “quarantine kits” have been offered for limited times.

For The Manicure Mayhem

The horrors of broken nails, chipped gel, and overgrown manicured polish are no joke. If you’re missing your manicurist, fear not—Melly Mani is delivering gel/dip removal kits. You’ll receive a box of all the necessary tools, as well as some polish to maintain your nails from home.

For The Distraction

Isolating at home gets old. To keep yourself occupied, or cheer yourself up, check out the “quarantine kit” items at Brightside Boutique. Various items include home organization, greeting cards, and cocktail mixes. Whatever you’re needing to get you through these lonely times, they’ve got you covered.

For The Local Supporter

Show some love to Baltimore makers with the help of The Codex Club. Stock up on candles by Knit Soy Metal or refresh your home with some handmade wood pieces by Jon’s Design Company. If you’re interested in building your own kit, just reach out to the shop through social media.

For The Ones You Miss

Canton gift shop Best Day Ever is offering an assortment of items for all the special people in your life. Send a friend a birthday care package, or one to your child’s favorite teacher. They’re simple gestures to tell those you miss that you’re thinking of them.

The first time Baltimore-based novelist Laura Lippman got dressed up for Twitter, she didn’t know it would turn into a regular thing.

The Twitter hashtag #DistanceButMakeItFashion was conceived by journalist (and connoisseur of all things glamorous) Rachel Syme. Fashion had been one of the first things to go by the wayside during the pandemic, so Syme thought it would be nice for people to occasionally get out of their yoga pants and into something a little fabulous. She proposed doing it every Sunday.

“And I was like, sure, I’ll do that,” Lippman says with a chuckle. “It just seemed funny and silly…I did it and it felt fantastic, like weirdly wonderful. I posted a photo of me that evening in this very fancy nightgown and robe that I literally wore on the Orient Express.”

A couple of days passed and Lippman decided to do it again.

“I reached into my closet and pulled out these over-the-knee red suede boots and paired them with a plaid dress and I put up a photo and wrote, ‘Oh Rachel what have you wrought?’”

From there, more outfits came—a coat dress with velvet applique tights and knee-high gray suede boots. A leopard-print coat with giant red sunglasses. An outfit—pink pants and a black top—styled by Georgia Ray, Lippman’s daughter with writer/producer David Simon.

“There are these really nice memories in my closet. I’ve been enjoying them,” Lippman says. (It doesn’t hurt that she’s more or less been the same dress size for 25 years.)

At one point, Lippman started telling the story behind the outfits—a dress she wore to the Emmys, another dress she wore to the premiere of The Sopranos at Radio City Music Hall—and she thinks she’ll continue with that practice.

“They’re almost like little writing prompts,” she says.

The response to the outfits has been very positive—although Lippman says she has filters set up on Twitter to minimize the appearance of bots or trolls.

“I’m sure there are some people who think it’s obnoxious,” she laughs. “There’s always someone who hates you online—that’s just a given!”

Lippman has really appreciated the ritual of creating the outfits, but she also wants to make it clear that she’s “achingly aware” how “lucky” she is.

“Knock wood, no one in my house is sick and no one close to us is sick,” she says. “For now, we don’t have to worry about our pay checks. I don’t know how to be luckier than that right now.”

So does Lippman recommend that everyone get in on the #DistanceButMakeItFashion phenomenon?

“I recommend that people do whatever makes them feel good right now,” she says.

The directions have seemed clear. Throughout the past few weeks, Governor Larry Hogan has addressed the state with a series of executive orders, each giving more stringent restrictions to businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. One by one, businesses deemed “non-essential,” such as restaurants, malls, casinos, and small shops, have shut down. What’s left are hospitals, grocery stores, and pharmacies.

But, where do medical cannabis dispensaries fit into all of this?

The question of whether dispensaries should be deemed essential is unsurprising. Throughout the nation, many haven’t had the luxury of knowing whether they’d stay open as typical medical facilities have. States such as Colorado and Massachusetts have closed recreational cannabis shops. Nevada closed dispensaries, both recreational and medical, completely.

But according to Hogan’s executive order released on March 23, Maryland dispensaries are now considered an essential business as a subcategory of healthcare providers.

The road to legalization in Maryland hasn’t been simple. Although the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) was created to regulate dispensaries and cultivators in 2013, it took nearly five years until Maryland’s medical cannabis industry was fully operational. Still, regulation over processing and quality-maintenance remain a cause of debate, on both federal and state levels.

However, local dispensary owners maintain that people from all walks of life, elderly and young, rely on medical cannabis as medicine.

“Business is booming despite what is going on around us,” says Jaclyn Dolaway, owner of Federal Hill dispensary Pure Life Wellness. “It’s a combination of panic that we’re going to close, so patients are prepping and following the rules: loading up, getting their [medicine], and staying home. And then a lot of people need to deal with [the stress], so people are turning to products like CBD that can help anxiety.”

Mackie Barch, the owner of downtown Baltimore dispensary Culta and chair of CANMD, said that “the MMCC and the CANMD have been working very closely” since the early stages of the outbreak in Maryland. According to Dolaway, the MMCC has communicated persistently about maintaining CDC guidelines of social distancing and cleaning, even prohibiting deli-style operations where patients can see and smell products before purchasing.

While dispensaries are operational, Barch notes that it’s been tough managing sales levels and precautionary sanitation measures. To accommodate the needed changes, the team at CANMD has made suggestions to the MMCC when it comes to providing statewide instruction. “I have to give kudos to the MMCC as they have been working very hard to be as flexible as possible and understanding that there are constraints within the regulations,” he says.

Though not all recommendations were approved, such as allowing cross-badging, a policy change that would allow workers at one dispensary to use their ID to work at another dispensary, the MMCC has permitted Maryland dispensaries to offer curbside pickup. Medical cannabis delivery is legal in the state of Maryland, but only a few locations offer the service due to concerns over driver safety, so curbside pickup offers another solution.

Keeping patients and staff distanced, limiting the number of people who are allowed in the store at one time, and sanitizing door knobs and counters in between patient visits seem to be the only ways for dispensaries to balance both safety and business.

While sales are strong across the state—for now, supply is keeping up with demand—other issues are arising. Human capital has places like Culta concerned.

“It’s an incredibly stressful time for families,” Barch says. “Many have lost their jobs. Many people are stuck at home with kids, elderly parents, family members with special needs—without childcare, any help, or normal resources.”

Additionally, because cannabis plants need daily care, staffing has to be flexible, allowing overnight or weekend shifts for caretakers so they can at least retain some work hours. According to Barch, many cultivators have had to realign staffing strategy. Some have instituted shift work—if one group gets sick, the other can step in.

For others, it’s about taking it one day at a time. At Pure Life, Dolaway praises her staff for working diligently, keeping a positive attitude, and taking new safety measures seriously. Their items come prepackaged, and they’re encouraging online orders to speed up in-store service due to the limited number of people allowed inside. But there’s still that underlying concern.

“We all have our own families at home that we’re concerned about,” she says. “We have to go home and take the precautions so that we don’t get our family members sick after exposing ourselves to all of these people.”

Barch doesn’t think the steady sales will subside, but it’s certainly not business as usual. In the long-term, it’s a waiting game.

“We have to be cognizant that the longer this goes on, the longer it’ll hurt our customers economically,” he says. For now, he’s confident that local dispensaries can be counted on to remain open regardless of what happens next.

In an effort to decrease the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Hogan took Maryland’s social distancing efforts a step further by ordering the closure of bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms.

We are all feeling a bit on edge and, while our wellness sanctuaries have just closed, it continues to be important to prioritize our mental and physical health.

“Exercise helps keep you focused and centered. I know it helps me reset my mind when I’m getting stir crazy,” says Reed Sothoron, general manager and personal trainer at the Under Armour Performance Center. “It can be tough to workout from home…we join gyms and classes for accountability. But, with all these changes, we’re going to have to get creative. We can use this time with ourselves to cultivate practices that better our bodies and minds.”

Baltimore has already begun, proving that, as a community, we can make the best of a challenging situation. Local gyms, studios, and personal trainers are taking their support online, providing digital access to their services with streaming videos, workout ideas, customized programs, and more.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to support your favorite local businesses. And joining digital workouts and sharing with others helps your local gyms and instructors.

As Sothoron reminds us, “If you believe in the person you’ve been working with, continue to support them if you can. You helping out, even a little bit, could be the way to help them get through this.”

Here, we round up a list of available and planned opportunities from the fitness community in Baltimore. Be sure to check back throughout the week as we continue to update with more classes

Reed Sothoron, will be hosting a daily workout at 5:45 p.m. on his Instagram page. “With routines mostly in disarray, I want to help create some normalcy and focus for people,” he says.“Go in your backyard or down to your basement and we’ll get in a good sweat for the day.”

Free Baltimore Yoga is taking some of their regularly scheduled classes online. You can currently follow a 30-minute surrender yoga flow with Emily Fleming. Check on their Facebook page for virtual sessions Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. and Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.

Knockout Fitness has committed to doing two virtual workouts for those at home. This week, they will be sharing a workout at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. every day on their Instagram and Facebook pages. In addition, you can also follow co-founder Jason Nissley on Instagram for daily workout moves. They will also be working on meal plans and personalized home workouts. Reach out directly for more information.

YogaWorks is offering access to their online platform, MyYogaWorks, for free until further notice with code ONLINE.

November Project Baltimore has shared a simple (but intense) workout for all on their Instagram page, and they plan to share additional at-home workouts Wednesday.

Nick Rodricks, local instructor and runner, plans to share workouts every Tuesday and Saturday morning on his Instagram page. He promises, “they will be goofy. They will be tough. And I’ll be joined by a Baltimore fitness legend for each one.”

Jason Williams of Charm City PT, is hosting a Morning Movement class via ZOOM for $10 Thursday at 5:00 p.m and Friday at 12:00 p.m. He also has a variety of workouts, meditations, and stretches available for home-use on his YouTube page and on the free Insight Timer app. Stay tuned to his Instagram for announcements about more live classes.

Marissa Walch, local fitness and wellness professional, is offering free flows and workouts on her YouTube channel, as well as small group, outdoor workouts where students can stay at least six feet apart.

Oksana Koval of Fitness by Oxy will be setting up online live workouts, private training, and small outdoor workouts. She has multiple barre, bootcamp, and TRX video workouts on her Instagram page that you can try at home. She will also be creating a two-week customized plan for people based on their at-home equipment. Reach out directly for more information.

Katie Ficca, local vinyasa, aerial, and SUP yoga instructor, has begun sharing videos on her Instagram page and plans to create more yoga and family workouts for those working from home with kids.

Alexa Bedingfield, former owner of the LIFT Baltimore studio, will be offering her minimal-equipment workouts through a 30-day at-home plan. She’s bringing together some of the past workouts from LIFT and will be offering the plan for $30 via her Instagram.

Sokol Baltimore will be posting a daily video on their Facebook page of a new exercise move meant for all ages.

Movement Lab will be offering virtual one hour NIA classes on Facebook Live and Vimeo to join on your own time.

Barrevolution in Timonium is hosting virtual classes through their website. Some of their instructors are creating five to 30-minute on-demand video workouts for clients to download and complete from home.

Reflex Functional Fitness will be hosting live workouts on their Instagram page Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m. and Saturday at 9:00 a.m. All classes will be Reflex-style HIIT, but modified to be completed at home.

Industry Athletics, including CrossFit Federal Hill and CrossFit Harbor East, will be providing live workouts on their Facebook pages, as well as through Zoom and SugarWOD.

Charm City Fitness is offering daily classes on Facebook Live and Vimeo. Reach out directly and check back on their Instagram page for more information.

M. Power Yoga has live streaming now available on ZOOM, starting Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday will also have class at 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 pm. Online classes will be free to members and available for purchase to others for $10 drop in. To participate, you must sign up online on their website.

Rev Cycle Studio will be hosting daily live workouts through their Instagram account. Check Instagram for the detailed schedule.

Maryland Athletic Club will be offering a virtual club for members with hundreds of classes lead by some of their top fitness professionals.

Core Cycle Studios will be taking their classes to Burn Along, an online fitness platform. They are offering access for free if you email heather@corecyclestudios.com. There will also be private one-on-one barre, cycle, and yoga sessions. Email for further details.

FX Studios is now offering free access to their digital fitness app using the promo code: fitfromhome.

Towne Barre in Towson will be offering virtual classes every day. In order to participate, you must download the ZOOM app and sign up online through their website (as you would for a one of their normal studio classes). All students signed up for the virtual class will receive an email prior to class with a link to the live stream.

Core Power Yoga is offering free, on-demand classes on their website Additionally, special member-only classes will be launching March 19th.

Pilates House is uploading mini mat Pilates workouts to their website You can also schedule a virtual private class with one of their instructors by emailing contact@pilateshousebaltimore.com.

Mantra Fit in Severna Park is offering free daily bodyweight metabolic strength workouts in their Get Mantra Fit community group on Facebook Anyone is welcome to join.

Baltimore Yoga Village is offering live streaming of their yoga classes on ZOOM.

SoulBody, a Baltimore based barre program, can be found on the fitness-sharing app BurnAlong with many of their local instructors. Once logged in, search “soul body” to find classes.

Bamboo Moves Yoga is streaming live classes to their Facebook page and Zoom. Check the page daily for updates on time and instructor. In addition, they have uploaded free class videos to their YouTube page for access any time.

Fit2Go, local Baltimore in-home personal training team, is streaming live home workouts daily on their Facebook page. They also have an extensive database with full home workouts and exercise tutorial videos on their website that they are updating regularly.

When Julie Lilienfeld looked around her vintage and consignment store, Wishbone Reserve, on Sunday, she could tell that something was off. The streets outside the Hampden shop were empty, there was plenty of parking on Falls Road, and the number of customers browsing through the store’s antique wares had dropped significantly since the day prior.

That was when Lilienfeld and co-owners Athena Hoffberger and Ryan Haase realized that they needed to prepare for their business to take a financial hit as the coronavirus and its effects continue to impact Baltimore communities.

“This is the kind of experience that you see documentaries about, but you don’t think will actually happen during your lifetime,” Lilienfeld says.

As the city braces for the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, small business owners are concerned about how directives for limiting exposure to the virus—including “social distancing,” public-school closures, and event cancellations—will hurt their bottom lines and, ultimately, the lifespan of their business. On Friday, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young sent a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan asking him to make federal funds available to Baltimore-based small businesses through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

Due to the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation that people avoid crowds or large gatherings as much as possible, Pamela Hubbard, the co-owner of Lobo, says that her Fells Point corner bar has experienced a significant decline in business throughout the past two weeks. While Hubbard says the restaurant staff has always taken sanitation precautions, such as regular hand washing and wearing gloves, she’s worried about how Lobo can financially sustain a weeks or months-long slowdown in table turnover.

“You can prepare for a refrigerator to break or having to pay someone to fix your plumbing, but the cost of a pandemic is not something you have funds set aside for,” Hubbard says.

While Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest statements only cancelled public gatherings of more than 250 people, many business owners, like Daven Ralston of Charm City Books, made the decision to adjust their event schedules for the safety of themselves and their customers.

“We host tons of events each month, so it’s concerning to think about what that will do to sales heading into the spring,” says Ralston, who opened the Pigtown bookstore in November. “It’s a scary precipice to be balancing.”

A number of local shops and service providers have communicated directly with consumers about the additional measures they’re taking to keep their still-open storefronts clean and safe. On Thursday, Letta Moore, the owner of KSM Candle Co., sent out a message to her email subscribers to notify them about temporary changes to her in-house workshops, such as switching from glass stemware to disposable cups.

“If small businesses are explaining to their customers what they’re doing to combat the virus, take heed and have a little trust in them,” Moore says. “We’re boosting our efforts and it’s not cheap for us either, so I hope people consider continuing to go out and supporting the businesses when possible. Don’t give up on us.”

To combat the decrease in foot traffic and loss of revenue associated with in-house events, local purveyors are finding new ways to meet customers where they are. Several retailers, such as Brightside Boutique and Six2Six Society, are offering free or discounted shipping for online orders, while others, like Wishbone Reserve, are posting their merchandise to Instagram so buyers can shop virtually. Ralston says that she and Joseph Carlson, Charm City Books’ programming and outreach director, will deliver books and puzzles via their tandem bicycle to area customers for free.

Chanel Fleurimond, who runs Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine with her husband, Leo, says that while they don’t usually fill many delivery orders from their food stall in Cross Street Market, they plan to ramp up their efforts if business to the communal eatery remains stagnant. Fleurimond says that if people don’t want to risk visiting the Federal Hill food hall, getting Sobeachy’s traditional Haitian dishes delivered to their home is a great way to continue supporting the local venture.

Hubbard adds that purchasing a gift certificate to a local bar, restaurant, or coffee shop to be used at a later date can help boost cash flow to businesses during this slow economic period.

“[Lobo is] turning six years old this summer and we were looking forward to planning our party, and now, so quickly, a wrench got thrown into that,” Hubbard says. “People need to be aware that your favorite places to go or eat in the city are already feeling the impact of this, and will continue to have to make hard decisions about their entire business because of it.”

In light of the extremely uncertain and ever-changing circumstances, members of the small-business community are also leaning on one another, as well as local customers, for support. On Thursday, the event technology service Pixilated and networking community Startup Soiree created an online forum for Baltimore-based business owners and employees to address COVID-19-related concerns, ranging from software tools to minimize the coronavirus’ impact to links to local resources.

“We talk so much about the importance of community to local bookstores, but it really is like a relationship and a family, especially in Pigtown,” Ralston says. “If another business is hurting, we have to reach out and support them in any way we can.”

Earlier this week, the Wishbone Reserve store leaders posted a message to their Instagram followers that led with the phrase, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” While the English proverb is typically used to describe March weather, Lilienfeld says that, deep down, she wanted the line to send a message of positivity to the shop’s worried customers.

“I don’t want people to be sympathetic; that’s not really what we’re looking for. We want them to know that them coming into [Wishbone Reserve] has been paying all of our bills,” Lilienfeld says. “We want to be truthful with people and say that we’re scared, too.”

Amid the outbreak of the coronavirus, several small businesses battle with the prospect of having to close. After several closings and social separation measures were announced across the U.S. earlier this week, vintage home store Wishbone Reserve in Hampden posted an announcement online that it would remain open and increase sanitary precautions. This spurred reactions from boutique owners around Baltimore.

Brightside Boutique has since echoed a similar sentiment, vowing to remain open and keep events scheduled as planned, “We will be closely monitoring government updates and guidelines, and will keep customers informed. We hope, if you are healthy and able to do so, that you continue to join us for the upcoming events, shop, and support small businesses,” reads an online post.

While some stores have shut down their brick-and-mortar doors, others remain open, and many have provided avenues to shop virtually. Here is a roundup of boutiques that have formally announced their opening status so far:

OPEN IN-STORE AND ONLINE:

• Brightside Boutique *Offering 15-percent-off and free shipping.
• Match Made Stores *Open by appointment only and offering 15-percent-off online purchases using code: spring15.
• Plantacea *Only two customers allowed in shop at a time, offering curbside delivery.
• 2910 on the Square *Reduced hours Tuesday-Friday 12pm-6pm, Saturday 11am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm as well as offering delivery.

ONLINE ONLY:

• A Style Studio *Offering free shipping on all orders.
• Arrow Clothing *Continuing their online-only operations as usual.
• B.Willow *Options for pickup or local delivery within 20 mins of the shop and waived $15 delivery fee.
• Becket Hitch *Offering online shopping and in-store private appointments.
• Best Day Ever
• Bottle of Bread
• Boutique W
• The Codex Club *Offering free shipping.
• Domesticity *Offering curbside pick-up and same-day delivery.
• Doubledutch Boutique *Offering 20-percent-off sale items and free shipping or curbside pick-up for online sales. In-store private appointments are available.
• Found Studio Shop
• Get Shredded Vintage
• Hunting Ground
• Ma Petite Shoe
• Milagro *Offering free shipping.
• Milk and Ice Vintage
• Mint & Major *Offering 20-percent-off online using code: MAJOR20, free shipping on orders over $25, curbside pick-up and drop-offs.
• Poppy & Stella
• Raina Dawn *Offering curbside pick-up and in-store private appointments.
• Six2Six Society
• South Moon Under
• Wishbone Reserve

OPEN IN-STORE ONLY:

• Amaryllis
• Forward Moda
• Keeper’s Vintage
• Matava Shoes
• Panache *Reduced hours 10am-4pm with in-store private appointments, curbside pickup, and free delivery available.
• Pandora’s Box
• Wee Chic *Reduced hours 10am-4pm.

CLOSED:

• In Watermelon Sugar *Offering in-store private appointments or curbside pick-up.
• Ruth Shaw
• Sassanova *Offering in-store private appointments, drop-offs, curbside pick-up, and free shipping.
• Shops at Kenilworth
• Tortuga

OPEN

South Moon Under Reopening in Towson: If you were worried that South Moon Under was going to be closed before you start your spring shopping spree, here is some relief: The Shops at Kenilworth in Towson leaked a preview of their South Moon location completely renovated and restocked with all of your spring wardrobe needs. We spotted racks of bikinis and beachy crochet sweaters, as well as dressing rooms designed for the perfect try-on selfie. They’ll be back and open for business before the first weekend of March.

EVENTS

How to Build a Sustainable Wardrobe at Impact Hub: Practicing a sustainable lifestyle is tricky, especially when we talk about fashion. Trends cycle in and out every month, making it oh-so easy to shop and drop clothes. But if you’re kicking off your spring cleaning with the idea of rebuilding a more environmentally friendly closet, this event might just be the talk to tune into. Head over to Impact Hub on March 3 to learn how fashion affects the environment and how you can do your part in making conscious shopping decisions.

Women of Spectrum at the Maryland Historical Society: Back in October, we let you know about the Maryland Historical Society’s epic fashion collection displayed through the “Spectrum of Fashion” exhibit. In honor of Women’s History Month, on March 7—the 100th anniversary of the signing of the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote—MDHS will be offering hour-long tours of the exhibition highlighting the stories of the women behind the clothes. Learn about the Duchess of Windsor’s iconic 1970s two-piece, the stunning designs of one of America’s earliest modern designers Claire McCardell, and other great female Marylanders.

B.Willow & Greedy Reads Book Club: Plants and books—what more do you need? Two of Baltimore City’s most popular small businesses, B.Willow and Greedy Reads, have teamed up to give us something that we didn’t know we needed: A book club. “Our mission is to not only be a resource for plants and plant care, but also to promote societal awareness of the mental and physical health benefits one can acquire through engaging with nature,” B.Willow posted in an announcement of the event on March 20. This month, it’s all about the healing nature brings as readers delve into The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. There will be wine, a discount on plant purchases, a 10-percent discount for buying your copy of The Nature Fix at Greedy Reads, and a visit from Williams herself via Skype. All $5 ticket proceeds will benefit to Blue Water Baltimore.

Colorstrology, Birth Charts, and Jewelry Making at Keeper’s Vintage: Vintage shopping takes a turn on March 21 as Keepers Vintage brings jewelry designer Rachel King into her Hampden shop to offer a free discussion on colorpsychology, birthstones, and crystal cleansing. The talk will be followed by a jewelry-making workshop (for the cost of $40), in which King will teach attendees how to create necklaces or bracelets. It’s a pop-up that aims to have you leave feeling good about your energy with a stunning handcrafted necklace or bracelet to boot.

Valentine’s Day might not be your favorite holiday, but, if nothing else, it’s a reason to dress up and celebrate. Whether you’re spending the evening with your partner, gathering your crew for a night out, or honoring the occasion with a bottle of wine at home, the holiday is a great excuse to get yourself a brand new outfit. We’ve gathered pieces to make you look and feel fabulous this Valentine’s Day, regardless of how you spend it. Casual, chic, or cozy—you choose your vibe:

Galentine’s Day

Maybe you’re single and not ready to mingle, but you want to take advantage of the season of love. Grab your closest pals and hit the town! Dinner, drinks, and dancing await you. What to wear? Simple. Something bright, young, and beautiful.

ROMANTIC DINNER

Though Valentine’s Day might not be your anniversary, it’s a momentous occasion for couples nonetheless. A nice dinner for two requires a look that is elegant but not over-the-top fancy. Heels, a new dress, and a smoky eye are all it’ll take for this type of date.

CASUAL DATE NIGHT

Valentine’s Day isn’t for everyone, but it might be hard to ignore the many restaurant and bar deals. The perfect look for this means decking out your go-to jeans and booties outfit with a stylish twist like pleather pants and statement shoes.

CHILLIN’ AT HOME

Need an excuse to buy that pajama set you’ve been eyeing up? Now is your chance. Loungewear is the easiest way to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day. Something soft, trendy, and totally worth spending the evening at home is exactly what this Valentine’s vibe is all about.

OPEN

Skincado Expands to Baltimore: One of Washington, DC’s top organic beauty brands has finally made it’s way to Baltimore. Owner Sara D’Amelio began her beauty journey back in 2013 after revolutionizing her beauty routine to include only natural ingredients and training as a holistic esthetician. In 2018, she brought organic beauty to DC with Skincando. This year, she announced her plans to join Baltimore’s beauty scene, exclusively selling her products at Mint & Major.

Brightside Opens New Location: This just in: one of Baltimore’s beloved boutiques is branching out. Brightside Boutique’s humble beginnings as a small shop in Federal Hill is now a nostalgic memory. The boutique then expanded to Fells Point in 2014, Hampden in 2017, Annapolis in 2018, and now, in March 2020, a fifth location will open in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. “Shaw is one of the last neighborhoods in D.C. that has a local, neighborhood feel to it,” says Rachel Cooper, Brightside’s director of operations. “It’s home to so many up-and-coming breweries and restaurants with emerging chefs, craft-cocktail bars, and amazing venues like the 9:30 Club and Howard Theatre. We’re really excited to be a part of it.” Stay tuned for more from Brightside Boutique’s own brand Brightside The Label, as well as upcoming events.

EVENTS

Boxing & Beauty Event @ Knockout Fitness: Need an reason to workout and an excuse to splurge on beauty products? This might be the collaboration you’ve been dreaming of. Knockout Fitness is hosting Boxing & Beauty, an event that offers a one-hour workout followed by an afternoon of all things beauty and style. Shop for spring essentials with Arrow Clothing, experience The Loft’s newest Nanofusion treatment, and even try botox from Belcara Health. And if this isn’t enough, there’s also going to be makeup demos and styling from Manty Makeup and Corbin Salon. Perhaps the best part? It’s the day after Valentine’s day—a perfect way to treat yourself.

Self-Care Sundays @ The Loft: One thing we love about The Loft? There’s always something new going on. This time it’s a can’t miss weekend series: Self-Care Sundays. One the first Sunday of every month, customers can indulge in champagne, light bites, and 20 percent-off all skincare services. Though known for her stellar lash and brow treatments, owner Natalie Sams has been a licensed esthetician for more than 15 years and has introduced some of the hottest skincare treatments out there—including hydrafacials, dermaplaning, and nanofusion. If doing more for yourself is among your New Year’s resolutions, this is your chance.

SHUT

Bishme Announces Move + Gala: It’s a bittersweet goodbye saying farewell to local designer Bishme Cromartie. After watching his designs lead him to the final four of Project Runway to kicking off his label here in Baltimore, it’s with sadness but even greater excitement that Cromartie has announced his relocation to Los Angeles. “I’ve had the pleasure of constructing a lot of magic while working out of my hometown and my work will forever have a piece of Bmore in it,” Cromartie posted onInstagram. As a last hurrah, fans will have a chance to celebrate the designer and say “Bon Voyage” at The Bč Exhibition Gala on February 8.

Tell me a little about your journey to Found Studio Shop. How did you get into art and then switch over to running your own business?
I’ve been making art since I was a teenager in the ’90s. I studied art education and became an art teacher for several years. I have always wanted to own a creative business, and when I was out of college and teaching, I continued to feel that pull. In 2006, I had an incredible opportunity to open what is now Trohv [then Red Tree] in Hampden with my husband and two other friends. I took that opportunity and helped run the shop for a few years until I decided to have children and stay home, producing my art in my home studio. Then I became involved with the Charm City Craft Mafia, helping with a wonderful team of makers to produce craft fairs.

When did you know it was time to open your store?
I wasn’t sure that I would ever own another shop. Balancing a shop plus all the things—helping produce the craft fairs, making my work, and raising two now elementary-aged kids—seemed like a bit much. However, last January, I was approached by Josie Rhodes, one of the owners of Red Canoe Café, about the possibility of creating a “tiny shop” within the café. It seemed to me like the perfect scenario: a tiny shop in my favorite café, three minutes from my house. It all fell together, and I couldn’t refuse.

Found Studio Shop is located in Lauraville. How has running a store in an up-and-coming neighborhood—as opposed to being in Hampden, which is such a shopping hub—been different?
It’s been different for sure. Of course, I don’t have an amazing amount of foot traffic in Lauraville. However, Lauraville and the surrounding northeast Baltimore neighborhoods have been extremely supportive and are intentional about shopping locally. Lauraville is starting to make a name for itself, and several new retail businesses and restaurants are popping up along the Harford Road corridor.

A block away is Domesticity Fabric & Craft Studio, which is the perfect complement to my shop. We have many of the same customers. The owner Christina Brunyate has many people finding her shop weekly. People come to her, she sends them down to me and the café, or people find me, and I send them to her. I think all of us—business owners and residents alike—want to make sure that we are all successful and send business to each other. Plus, this is where I have lived and owned a house for the past 15 years. There’s nothing like living and working in your own community.

How do you choose what products to sell at Found Studio Shop?
I tell people all the time that, because of the size of my shop, I really have to choose cohesive products that display well together. Most, but certainly not all, of the products I sell are locally and regionally made. I am paying attention to our carbon footprint. Most of these products have not traveled far. Many of the artists that sell in my shop could easily walk from their homes and studios. It goes without saying that high quality “crafts-womanship,” beauty, purpose, and a reasonable price point also go into my decision of whether or not to choose a product. I have to love the product myself, or I won’t feel comfortable selling it.

What is your favorite product at the moment?
That’s a really tough question because I love everything I sell. One of my favorite items right now is Hon’s Honey Lip Balm, if I must pick one. I give one to everyone who works at the shop and everyone I want to give a little “I’m thinking of you” gift. Hon’s Honey supports women survivors in South Baltimore, helping them get back on their feet through job training and intentional community. An excellent product and mission? You can’t beat that.

What does the future look like for Found Studio?
We are coming up on our first anniversary in April, and I want to launch an online shop by then. Workshops are in the works for this year. Many people are asking for them, and as a trained art teacher, I do actually love teaching and gathering with others who are open to learning something new. I hope to host not only my own workshops, but other workshops in many other creative genres, as well.

We’re almost one month into 2020 and it already feels lighter and brighter. Of course, we all still have our rainy days, but it seems the collective energy is elevated. It helps that there seems to be a spotlight on bringing “wellness” to all areas of life, including our homes, work, workouts, and our plates. Locally, shops and restaurants are starting the year out strong by tapping into these philosophies. Here, we break down four food and drink trends to look out for in 2020 and where to make the most of them around town.

Eco-Friendly Foods

As more information becomes available, restauranteurs and consumers alike are looking for more environmentally-friendly ways to enjoy their favorite things.

“We want people to feel curious about how to eat more sustainably, not intimidated,” says Helena del Pesco, owner of eco-conscious eatery Larder in Old Goucher. “It can feel hard to change habits, even when we know it’s the right thing to do.”

Recently, Baltimore City has made efforts by banning styrofoam and plastic-bags at retail locations, but the team at Larder is taking it a step further by working with the collectors at Compost Cab to keep their operation almost completely compostable. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, generating the emissions of more than 37 million passenger vehicles.

Larder’s kitchen scraps, to-go containers, napkins, and utensils are composted at Real Food Farm and processed into soil that can be used to fertilize community gardens and parks.

“Yes it’s an added expense, but ultimately it benefits all of us as opposed to creating a burden for future generations,” Del Pesco says. “I grew up learning the three r’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Recycling has proven to be problematic…but composting, if done right, can actually turn our waste into a resource.”

Climate conscious locations across the area are also including more local, seasonal ingredients to cut down on the carbon emissions that come with food transport. Cunningham’s in Towson (whose restaurant is currently under renovation, but downstairs cafe is open for business), cuts out the middle man by sourcing most of its produce and meats from its own farm, located just minutes down the road in Cockeysville. With traditional, sustainable farming methods and organic feed, Cunningham’s farmers work to cultivate items that lessen the restaurant’s carbon footprint.

Seafood fans also know sister spots True Chesapeake Oyster Co. and The Local Oyster as other examples of regional sourcing. The True Chesapeake oyster farm, located in St. Jerome Creek in Southern Maryland, provides not only delicious, meaty mollusks, but a critical habitat for the surrounding ecosystem. Plus, they help clean up the Bay. According to the National Aquarium, a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water in one day.

Mighty Mocktails

We noted the rise of non-alcoholic cocktails last year, and 2020 is proving to be even more accessible to the sober-curious: “We have certainly seen an increase in guest requests for interesting mocktails,” says Rye Street Tavern beverage manager Scott Kollig. “We have a growing collection of recipes behind the bar that our team has created in the moment.”

With mocktails, diners can enjoy all the things that come with social outings without the added baggage. This includes wellness effects across the board—from immediate issues like weight gain, loss of sleep, and hangover pains to long-term health problems like risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and alcoholism. Hotel Revival just launched a “Zero Proof and Zero Judgement” menu to create a safe, fun space where guests can enjoy themselves, regardless of their drinking preference. A study published in 2018 shared modest health benefits that a group of adults experienced when they stopped drinking, even for just one month.

And it’s not just your traditional Shirley Temples and fancy lemonades. Bartenders are stepping up their game, creating decadent, inspired creations. La Food Marketa has more than eight slushies and mocktails that incorporate ingredients such as blood orange, acai, dulce creama, and muddled basil. Woodbery Kitchen uses watermelon honey, lemon balm verjus, hibiscus tea, and egg whites.

“We have a few ‘pocket’ mocktails that we utilize as good go-to drinks, but we often simply ask guests what flavors they enjoy or don’t enjoy and will build something bespoke for them,” Kollig adds. “We have various syrups that are non-alcoholic that we can use to elevate the typical citrus flavors, but by far the biggest advantage we have is using Fee Brothers Bitters. Most bitters are alcohol-based, but Fee Brothers are glycerol-based in flavors like plum, cherry, black walnut, and even celery.” Check out a few of our favorite recent mocktails here.

Functional Beverages

After the passage of the farm bill that legalized hemp across the country, we’ve seen CBD start popping up everywhere. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive compound extracted from hemp plants. It provides relaxing and sedative effects and it is commonly used to address a variety of symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, inflammation, chronic pain, and depression.

According to the World Health Organization, CBD exhibits “no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential.” In Hampden, Artifact Coffee and Vent Coffee Roasters have CBD on their menus as an add-on for hot and cold beverages.

Although you may be hearing more about CBD, it’s not the only drink infusion making a splash on Baltimore menus. At Plantbar’s locations in Brewer’s Hill and Towson, they’ve added collagen to their lengthy list of wellness add-ons that also includes chlorella, oregano oil, turmeric, and spirulina.

“Collagen is a major building block of skin, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments,” says Plantbar owner Daniela Troia. “We use it in our upgraded coffees—basically a kicked up bulletproof coffee—and it can be added to smoothies.”

A recent report shows that collagen supplements can increase skin elasticity and hydration. It can also help support joint and bone health, protect lean muscle, and build healthier hair and nails.

If you need an energy boost, Baltimore-based brewery Wild Kombucha has expanded on their offerings to include Icaro Yerba Maté blends. While kombucha has been adding natural probiotics to diets in recent years, the yerba maté extract blended into these new organic green tea beverages is a popular caffeine pick-me-up traditionally used in South America.

Plants, Plants, and More Plants

Plant-based items were also a top highlight in 2019 and continue with increased intensity. Vegetarian and vegan options are flooding the city and new blends are helping flexitarians take steps toward more plants, without making the full switch.

With this in mind, many Baltimore locations are expanding their veggie options, but keeping some of the meatier flavors and textures. At the newly opened Annoula’s Kitchen inside Cross Street Market, diners can grab an open-faced Chickpea Melt on sourdough. North Avenue Market provides meat-like flavors without meat in their rotating specials, like the current Broccoli over Mushroom Duxelle. At Snake Hill in Canton, you can taste a variety of homemade sausages, including three non-meat options like the Smoked Apple Sage made with golden potatoes, as well as an Italian made with eggplant and fennel.

Baltimore is on-trend with leading chefs across the country who are looking to add healthier, planet-friendly options like these. The James Beard Foundation has even created The Blended Burger Project, a movement that encourages chefs to blend at least 25 percent mushrooms into burgers. Tying back to sustainability, this switch could reduce agricultural production-related greenhouse gas emissions and irrigation water demand. Plus, it could reduce global agricultural land demand by more than 14,000 square miles, an area larger than our state of Maryland.

Baltimore is booming with creative entrepreneurs, but when it comes to sporting goods, This Sporting Life has become a go-to. Known for his use of traditional chainstitch embroidery, designer Arvay Adams hand-makes Baltimore Orioles and Ravens gear, updates heritage vintage baseball jerseys, and even sells funky patches—which are all available in local shops such as For Rent Shoes and Doubledutch Boutique, as well as directly from his online shop. On the heels of being named one of the winner’s of the 2019 Remington Storefront Challenge, we caught up with Adams about what inspires his designs and what we can expect from the up-and-coming shop.

You have a degree in painting from MICA. How did you get into sewing?
I started sewing on a home machine, then later, after moving back to Baltimore, I worked for Sewlab, where I learned industrial sewing.

What inspired you to get into sports goods?
It’s been an interest of mine since I was a kid. The colors, designs, and history.

You’ve lived in the big creative cities including New York City and Los Angeles, what about Baltimore drew you in and convinced you to stay?
Baltimore is home. I just got tired of being a transplant in a city full of them.

How did you know that creating with chainstitch was going to be your next career move?
As a fan of the history of the sports uniform, it had to happen. Chainstitch was the way to adorn sports uniforms, workwear, and military clothing for years.

You use an 80-year-old Singer 114-W. Why this machine? Is there any other equipment like this machine that you swear by?
It’s the Cadillac of Chainstitch Embroidery machines. The machines are rare, and each has their temperaments. It really adds to a handmade feel in a time where the term is used loosely. All my other machines are replaceable—they’re new, computerized, a-dime-a-dozen stuff.

What are some of your favorite pieces to make. Are they some of your top sellers?
My favorite is whatever new thing I’ve discovered to make. The best-sellers, though, are the Bethlehem Steel pieces.

Where do you get your design inspiration?
Mostly old magazines, books, documentaries, and the internet.

Some of your items are totally new with your designs, but some of your products are vintage. Where did vintage clothing find its way into This Sporting Life?
The vintage started with me growing out of some of my own pieces of vintage. Vintage also allows me to present brands and/or teams that people are familiar with that part of my aesthetic.

Do you have a favorite sport?
Baseball. I have a romantic obsession with it from design to history, to the human form in action.

Are there any new projects in the works for This Sporting Life?
Lots and lots of chainstitching with a strong focus on Baltimore’s Blue Collar roots. Plus, a retail location in Remington with The Cahoots Brothers coming soon.

Like clockwork, as soon as we begin to settle into the New Year, the dread of setting resolutions creeps up. It seems like the same story every year. First, we concoct a list of must-dos and transformative personal goals. Next, we do our best. We jump headfirst into whatever it is we wish to change about our lifestyle, our relationships, our careers. But before February even hits, we get burnt out and give up. The list that was once looking hopeful suddenly appears insurmountable.

Sure, not buying into the tradition of yearly goal-setting is an option. But, for those who like to use the change of year as a starting point, there is still hope. We talked with Kristen Euell, a life coach at Rejuvenating Lives, and Dr. Natalie Hung at Charm City Psychotherapy on how to tackle this resolution thing once and for all.

THE APPROACH

Get to know yourself. “Your best bet for identifying and achieving something you want is to listen to yourself,” says Dr. Hung. When setting goals, it’s important to be realistic about what you actually want to achieve, what you can mentally and emotionally handle, and what you personally need to be successful.

And then, just do it. “Use what you have now and work your way up,” says Euell. “Don’t allow what you don’t have to stop you from even trying.” Adjust your goals to fit your current daily life. A workout program may not be in your budget right now, but you can still start doing workouts from your own home with free gym apps.

METHODS OF SUCCESS

Setting measurable goals and being consistent is key, according to Euell. For example, she recommends breaking a savings goal into a measurable and attainable system. “Say I want to save $1,000 in six months—that’s the main goal. I know that I will need to save at least $167 a month,” she says. “That number may seem big, so break it up to $84 every two weeks.”

Or, if you’re working toward a lifestyle change, such as incorporating more of a fitness regimen into your day, Hung suggests making your goals meaningful. “In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, it helps people to identify their values, take stock of the extent they are living within those values, and then make goals that close the discrepancies.” So, if you want to get fit but hate working out, perhaps your goal looks like trying one really fun workout a week for one month. At the end of the month, reassess how you feel to refine that goal.

STAYING ACCOUNTABLE

Staying on track and maintaining momentum can be tricky. Sometimes there’s a deeper emotion that creates a barrier. Sometimes we can all become a little too critical of ourselves. Regardless of what’s getting in your way, there are tools to help keep on keeping on.

Hung recommends check-ins with an accountability partner and celebrations for small achievements. “It works best if the person isn’t judgmental, but can instead help you troubleshoot what concrete and emotional barriers might have gotten in the way, and then regroup.”

Hitting a plateau or an emotional barrier is very common. The good news is that it’s temporary. “These emotions subside over time and feelings of mastery come instead,” Hung says. Developing compassion for yourself, rather than engaging in self-judgment, is what will help grow beyond past mistakes and find the next steps. “If you mess up, that’s okay,” says Euell, “but recognize where you went wrong. Try again.” And when you hit your goals, treat yourself.

Remember that progress isn’t always linear. Life gets in the way sometimes, and that’s fine, too. What makes personal goals so great is that it’s all totally up to how you feel, what you want to achieve, and when. You can adjust your timeline, try different methods, or even take a break. The important thing is that you keep trying and never bring yourself down.

New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year where going all out is expected. For those planning to end the decade with a bang, you’re likely going to coordinate your outfit accordingly. If you’re looking for ideas on how to update a classic sequin look, or simply need inspiration for going outside your comfort zone with a brand new trend, we’ve got you covered with our top five New Year’s Eve trends.

SEQUINS

If you’re sequin-obsessed, this traditional New Year’s Eve look is right up your alley. One of the top trends of this winter, you’re sure to find dresses, jumpsuits, and even men’s jackets covered in the glittering decals.

Where to buy: Poppy and Stella, Brightside Boutique, Hunting Ground, Forward Moda

BLAZER

Nothing says class quite like a tailored blazer. A perfect piece for those headed to a more formal cocktail event, a blazer is an easy way to elevate your look. Try pairing with a button-down or a turtleneck for a timeless ensemble. Feeling adventurous? Go for a statement blazer in rich textures such as velvet or silk.

Where to buy: Raina Dawn, Sixteen Tons, Keeper’s Vintage, A Style Studio

SILK

Speaking of—chances are your holiday best includes something soft and silky. As silk slip dresses and midi skirts continue to transcend through the seasons, you’re bound to have something already in your closet to dress up for the evening. Grab your favorite silk dress and top with a cozy sweater to ring in the New Year comfortable and chic.

Where to buy: Raina Dawn, Hunting Ground, Brightside Boutique, South Moon Under

FULL-SET

Making a fashion statement doesn’t always have to mean vibrant patterns. A simple jumpsuit or a matching suit set will appear well put together regardless of color or texture. Pulling together separate pieces from your wardrobe for a head-to-toe monochromatic look will also do the trick.

Where to buy: Doubledutch Boutique, Hunting Ground, Forward Moda, Sassanova

VELVET

Warm and elegant, velvet is a winter holiday staple. This season you can find full suits, a plethora of dress styles, and even accessories made in this seasonal texture. Whether a deep red, lush green or a dazzling royal blue, velvet makes any wardrobe piece look sophisticated and romantic.

Where to buy: Keeper’s Vintage, Doubledutch Boutique, Bottle of Bread, South Moon Under

To better visualize these trends, check out our Pinterest board curated with more outfit inspo:

If you’re a Ravens fanatic and a last-minute holiday shopper, boy do we have some good news for you. The Official Ravens Shop has opened a pop-up location for just ten days in The Shops at Canton Crossing. From December 19-28, you’ll be able to stock up on the season’s latest fan gear (yes–highly-coveted, exclusive Lamar Jackson jerseys included), just in time for the NFL playoffs. But, you better act fast. Though the shop has the largest selection of merchandise fans can buy in-person, opening day lines were wrapped around the store.

“In addition to items fans will expect to see, we’ll have exclusive items that we usually only make available on gameday,” senior director of retail Chris Inouye told the official Ravens News Blog. “We’ll have everything they need to show their Ravens pride or find great gifts during the holiday season.”

If you’re already overwhelmed, don’t worry, we’ve scoured the shop for the hottest items we think you’ll love. Take a sneak peak at five of our favorite products.

Youth Lamar Jackson jersey ($50).

Full size official football ($25).

Men’s coat ($99).

Poe mascot statue ($26).

Women’s light-up v-neck sweater($80).

It’s never too early to practice self-care. Located in Roland Park’s Village of Cross Keys, SparTea The Pink Door Day Spa is inspiring young girls in Baltimore to celebrate themselves. From hosting tea parties, mani-pedis, and even yoga classes, SparTea has created a space for girls to feel like a princess. We caught up with owner Sarita Murray to learn about what she does to teach kids the “treat yo’self” mantra.

What did you envision when SparTea was launched in 2008?
I’m a single mom of four and my two younger kids are adopted. So in celebration of adoption and their birthdays, I wanted to have a big party. That’s when we came up with this. What I wanted to do was a fabulous Tea Party, but then I thought, “What about also getting their nails done and then if they get little pedicures, and tea with it?” It started with mani-pedis and a little tea party, then it just kind of grew from there.

How did you get the name for your spa?
It’s a spa tea party so that’s how we came up with SparTea. Then, I thought everything will be pink because I’m a breast cancer survivor. When we started as a brick and mortar, we called it SparTea The Pink Door Spa because our door is pink and we wanted to play on the pink door is for little girls while the red door [at now-closed Cross Keys neighbor The Red Door Spa] was for big girls.

What do you enjoy most about hosting spa parties?
Preparing for the party—the design, the decor, and opening the door for the little girls to see a spa for the first time. I love hearing them say, “wow” and the “aww” and “ooh’s” from seeing their cake. I’ve had a little girl come in and was wearing almost the exact black and white print that I had on the table like, “Wow how did Ms. Murray know that I like this?” I think it’s my passion, but it’s also a gift.

Why is it important for young girls to treat themselves?
I think it’s important for them early in age. It’s about self-esteem. I’m really surprised at the number of calls I get about makeup. I think it’s important to let these girls know that they’re beautiful, they’re phenomenal—makeup doesn’t make you. It’s so important that they feel good about themselves and they can go somewhere to be treated like a princess.

What’s the inspiration behind the SparTea “Mommy and Me” package?
When I started thinking of packages, I thought of ways that moms would like to spend quality time with their kids. It’s definitely geared toward the younger girls. We don’t cut cuticles or do acrylic or gel nails, but mom is there to spend time with them.

I’m a 16-year breast cancer survivor, and in October we have a “mommy and me” spa day. We pamper breast cancer patients and their daughters for free. It’s so amazing to see a group of women and their kids having a good time. Some of the moms there are bald from having chemotherapy, and hearing the reassurance from the kids like, “Wow you mean my mommy has the same thing your mom has and she’s still around,” it’s that reassurance—the camaraderie, and the tears that are shed between the moms. If they participated in it the year before and come back it’s like, “Wow I get to sit here with you and tell you my story and show you that yes I’m a cancer survivor, too.”

What are some of your favorite moments hosting spa tea parties?
Over the years there have been little girls who have cried at the end of the day when they don’t want to leave. We have a mat at the front door, and the kids say back it all the time, “This is the best day ever.” There are so many stories that I can tell, but to hear a kid say that they are having a great time means the world to me. I do these parties as if they were for my own kids, so every detail has to be just perfect.

What do you hope to inspire in young girls from Baltimore
I hope that I inspire kindness and love. I hope that it’s always the best day ever when they come here.

Many of us have tried a plethora of remedies to reduce stress and stay calm—from exercise to essential oils and everything in between. If you’re open to trying something new—meditation might be the right choice. We learned all about meditation from Baltimore Yoga Village’s Anjali Sunita. Here are her tips:

Where to Start:

“When you sit down to meditate and realize a thousand other things that are running through your mind at the same time, you can feel your emotions more,” Sunita says. “That’s where people really struggle.” Many people equate this emotional overload to believing that they aren’t good at meditation. The good news? You’re not alone—and there are things you can do to settle your mind.

Sunita suggests doing something that matches your energy level before beginning a seated practice. For example, taking a walk or doing yoga can help release energy to feel calm when meditating. She also assures that you only need a few minutes for meditating, as long as you can become aware and relaxed at the same time.

What You Need:

There is one thing that Sunita advises not to sacrifice: comfort. Beyond a cushion or pillow, objects will vary based on the type of meditation that you like.

“Just as different people learn different ways, different people find different techniques more appealing,” she adds. Open-eyed meditation practices may require an object to focus on—like a candle. Some people find that reading a book also helps to focus their minds. Others are more drawn toward sounds, and might benefit from repeating a particular mantra or listening to a guide. “Everything is an opportunity to pay deep attention,” Sunita says. “When you pay deeper attention to things, it becomes a meditation.”

When You Should Meditate:

Sunita recommends that meditation be included in your daily routine, but it can also be done randomly. She notes that, while the morning is most common, meditating in a moment of stress is also a beneficial use of the practice. “Make it your friend at a regular time if you can,” she says. “Or make it your friend at random times a day, so it will stay simple and become a daily comfort, support, and practice.”

The season of holiday shopping is upon us and our Baltimore artisans are ready. Starting this weekend with Small Business Saturday, local neighborhood favorites and dozens of holiday markets will be buzzing with cheer and overflowing with one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.

As we move quickly toward the end of 2019, stop by these special events to enjoy fun activities, taste local flavors, and pickup presents made by local makers.

Bazaart Holiday Art Market
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30
The American Visionary Art Museum is known for highlighting incredible artists and, at its annual Bazaart Art Market, the museum bring hundreds of original creations to the public. The third floor of the Jim Rouse Visionary Center will be filled with jewelry, textiles, paper crafts, metalwork, and more. The market is free and, for this weekend only, patrons can also tour the entire Jim Rouse Visionary Center free of charge. (Make sure you say hi to our favorite kinetic sculpture, Fifi!)

Festival of Trees
Saturday, November 29 – December 1
Visit the Maryland State Fairgrounds for the 30th-annual Festival of Trees. This three-day holiday extravaganza not only features 800 uniquely decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, but it will also host more than 100 gift boutiques. Celebrate, shop, and support at the family-fun event that benefits the of children and families who receive treatment and services at Kennedy Krieger Institute each year.

Holiday By The Falls
Saturdays, November 30 – December 22
Whitehall Food Market in Hampden has been hard at work building a communal spot for food and gifts that will open in the new year. Before the grand opening, the vendors are coming together to host a month of weekend pop-ups where visitors can shop for local food and artisan goods throughout the holidays. In addition to the market, a series of ticketed workshops will be held every weekend, including citrus garland-making (Nov 30), coffee cupping (Dec 7), and a cheese class (Dec 14).

Cross Street Holiday Market
Saturdays, November 30; December 7; December 14
The newly renovated Cross Street Market will be hosting a showcase of local makers every Saturday this season. Visit the South Baltimore landmark for unique gifts from local favorites like Balti’Marons, Dogs of Charm City, Maryland Mercantile, 228 Grant Street Candle Co., and many more.

Waverly Holiday Pop-Up Market
Saturday, November 30
Waverly Main Street and Baltimore’s 32nd Street Farmers Market will bring together tables of local makers and artisans at this festive event. While you’re shopping, you can also get a few photos from your own holiday portrait session with local photographer, Leslie Eames—perfect for a holiday card or gift.

Baltimore Record Bazaar Holiday Show
Sunday, December 1
Looking for a gift for the music lover in your life? At BRB (Baltimore Record Bazaar), attendees will enjoy a full lineup of local DJs as they shop with more than 35 local vendors sharing vinyl, tapes, CDs, vintage clothing, and art.

MICA Art Market
Thursday, December 5 – Sunday December 8
Our local MICA students have been preparing all year for their annual Art Market. The event will highlight more than 275 students, alumni, faculty, and staff selling their artworks throughout a four-floor space. Shop and support—15 percent of your purchase will fund MICA scholarships for returning undergraduate students.

UMBC Craft Fair
Friday, December 6
The 12th-annual UMBC Handmade and Homemade Holiday Craft Fair will host more than 60 vendors from the University community and beyond. The festive holiday event will be held at the SMC Campus Center and shops will feature homemade crafts, jewelry, specialty food items, and more.

Holiday Heap
Saturday, December 7
Mark your calendar for the 13th-annual Holiday Heap, one of Baltimore’s favorite craft shows. This year, Charm City Craft Mafia is bringing together more than 50 artists and makers including Annie Howe Papercuts, Baltimore Print Studios, Found Studio, Row House 14, and Geeky Chic Knits.

Kwanzaa Family Day
Saturday, December 7
Honor African-American and Pan-African heritage at this local celebration at the Creative Alliance on Eastern Avenue. This family-friendly event will have art activities, performances, workshops, and local vendors.

Old Tyme Christmas
Saturday, December 7
Join the local businesses in Fells Point for a full day of holiday celebrations and shopping. St. Nick ditches his sleigh and arrives at the Broadway Pier by tugboat at 9 a.m., and then heads into the neighborhood for breakfast, pictures, and local shopping. Judge eggnog and decorating contests, visit the festive family-fun zone to make your own ornament, and sing in the “Carole-oke” Contest, all leading up to the lighting of the tree in Broadway Square and the Parade of Lighted Boats.

Makers Alley
Saturday, December 7
Join for a morning of shopping in the community with 10 local vendors. This event, hosted by Local Color Flowers, will feature treats and gifts including artisanal baked goods, glassworks, body moisturizers, and chocolates.

Merry Mart
Sunday, December 8
Join the Creative Alliance and shop a diverse mix of handmade goods from Baltimore and beyond! This season, the festival will include handmade arts and crafts including accessories, clothing, bags, and jewelry.

Cookies & Cocktails
Wednesday, December 11
Explore Harbor East while enjoying the sights, sounds, and tastes of Christmas. Purchase a passport to enjoy a holiday confection from participating neighborhood shops. Also with the passport, guests will receive a signature ornament and free parking for the evening. Santa Claus will be available for photos and visitors can enjoy music and cocktail bars along the way. All funds will benefit The Family Tree—one of Maryland’s leading organizations preventing child abuse, providing parenting classes, and supporting local families through connect and education.

Makers Market at Greenspring Station
Saturday, December 14
Mix and mingle with local artists throughout the day as you shop from more than 20 vendors and artisans such as Charm School Chocolate, J’Adorn Designs, Le Monade, Tiny Dog Press, and more. Guests can also swing by the pop-up shop curated by Taken and make their own special crafts in the DIY corner.

Maryland Art Place Under $500 Sale
Saturday, December 14
Purchase original works of art for affordable prices at this year’s Under $500 Sale. The event will feature Baltimore and surrounding area artists with pieces for sale at prices of $500 or less. Mingle with artists and enthusiasts, but arrive early—pieces are first-come, first-serve.

Highlandtown’s Inaugural Winter Wine-derland

Saturday, December 14
Some gifts are meant to be sipped. Such is the case at this inaugural event in Highlandtown. With a ticket, guests can taste and purchase more than 50 hand-selected wines, take photos with Santa, eat with local food vendors, and enjoy complementary wrapping. Beer will also be available from the local brewmasters at Union Craft Brewing, Monument City Brewing Company, and Full Tilt Brewing.

Greater Goods Market: Holiday Edition
Sunday, December 15
This monthly indoor-outdoor market is using its December event to celebrate the holidays with local artists and craftspeople. Located inside the garage at R. House in Remington, the market is an easy, family-friendly place to support local businesses. This month, booth fees will support the Keep Punching foundation, which benefits patients, health-care providers, and researchers in their fight to prevent and eradicate brain cancer.

Holiday Bazaar at Waverly Brewing Company
Sunday, December 15
Sip your favorite brews while shopping at Waverly Brewing’s annual Holiday Bazaar. Baltimore-area makers like Charm City Threads, Blue Heron Gifts, Beltway Merch, and Frye Glass will be on site with festive gifts and treats.

Atwater’s Holiday Market
Tuesday, December 17
Tasty local vendors like Counter Culture Coffee, Hon’s Honey, and Keepwell Vinegar will be colliding at Atwater’s Hopkins location for their Holiday Market. All proceeds from the gift wrapping station will be donated to the Child Life department of Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Open Works Maker Mart & Pop-Up Shop
Saturday, December 21
Support local makers and entrepreneurs that utilize the state-of-the-art Open Works fabrication facility and makerspace. Join creators from around Baltimore to find a special, expertly made gift for everyone on your list.

From hardware to houseware, Stebbins Anderson at Towson’s Shops at Kenilworth has been a destination for all things home for 152 years. However, this holiday season will be the last hurrah for the one-stop-shop. Owners Ken and Bonnie Knight announced in a Facebook post earlier this month that the retailer will be closing its doors on December 31.

For Towson dwellers, it’s the end of an era. “I have been coming to Stebbins for 40 years,” one long-time shopper replied to the post. “This makes me very sad.” This sentiment was echoed by many as the news spread.

The home store has been a mainstay at The Shops at Kenilworth since the mall’s inception in 1979. The brand itself has been a community treasure since 1867, when it first made its name as a coal, lumber, and hardware shop on York Road. With a rich history and ability to transcend time, the Knights held high hopes for the store when celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2017.

While some have lamented the loss on social media, others were quick to criticize the retail changes that begun in 2015 after the mall was taken over by real estate developer Greenberg Gibbons—going as far as sharing a petition calling for a stop to the changes the new owners have been making to the property.

The Shops at Kenilworth have undergone $20 million worth of renovations and expansions, including the introduction of several stores each year—one major development being the opening of a Trader Joe’s. Ken and Bonnie purchased Stebbins Anderson in 2015, refreshing the look and feel of the century-old store by narrowing its merchandise away from hardware and focusing sales onto homeware. They also reduced the two-story footprint to a single floor.

But Baltimore Councilman David Marks—who cut the ribbon when Greenberg Gibbons unveiled the new main entrance—says that these renovations have contributed an “unprecedented building boom” in Towson within the last decade.

“Development is needed in a place like Towson,” Marks says, “It’s not healthy to have whole tracks of land that are derelict like we did nine years ago.”

According to The Sun, Stebbins Anderson claimed diminishing sales year after year—attributing the decline to the competition of online shopping and the general change in shopping trends.

“The overall view is that retail has changed,” says Jane O’Donoghue, owner of Urban Threads, a specialty home décor shop that moved into Kenilworth in 2018. “We can look at Amazon and Wayfair and HomeGoods. We look at all these different places online, and people make the decision to shop that way. So, retail has to be vibrant, interesting, and experiential.”

Urban Threads initially opened in Ellicott City in 2011, and held a retail location in Bare Hills from 2013 until moving to Kenilworth five years later. For O’Donoghue, The Shops at Kenilworth was a place where she could embrace a community of small business owners and gain retail visibility. She describes the move to Kenilworth as being been nothing but successful.

“My customers from the old Bare Hills store are still my customers here at Kenilworth,” she says. “They have always shopped at Kenilworth. And now, because of Trader Joe’s, I get a lot of walk-through customers, which I wasn’t expecting.”

Conversely, Ken Knight told The Sun that “the retail environment has become increasingly more difficult for small businesses, which factored into the decision.” He noted that Stebbins’ sales had dropped $2.5 million annually, a number which has declined for more than five years. “We’re in an economy of decreasing sales, due to the Internet,” he said.

While Stebbins has suffered, newer small businesses have continued to find success at The Shops at Kenilworth. In 2017, jewelry store Amaryllis relocated to the mall from Harbor East.

“We thought we’d get more of the local customer, which we do get now, as opposed to the transient customer we had downtown,” says owner AnnaMarie Fiume. “For the product I have, I’m definitely supported by the community here. Since we’ve moved, [sales] have increased year over year.”

In a bittersweet goodbye, Stebbins Anderson’s owners concluded their announcement by sharing, “the good news is that we have one more holiday season to celebrate together, so please stop by and say goodbye.”

“I’m heartbroken over Stebbins,” O’Donoghue says. “We don’t want to let go of what people in the community love so much, but I’m crossing my fingers that the it will embrace the changes.”

Writer, director, producer, visual artist, the newest male face of Nike.

Add that last one to the list of achievements by filmmaker and Baltimore icon John Waters, one of three celebrities chosen to be in a new joint promotional campaign for Nordstrom department stores and Nike—the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel.

The campaign, which is called “No Cover” and launches this month, touts a collection of five classic Nike sneakers, each reimagined with new prints, colors, and materials. It also includes 16 apparel and accessory pieces. Nike and Nordstrom have collaborated before, but this is the first collection designed for Nike by Olivia Kim, Nordstrom’s vice president of creative projects and a luminary in the fashion world.

Instead of going with all athletes to represent the collection, Nike and Nordstrom enlisted a more diverse team of celebrities. Aside from Waters, the list includes Megan Rapinoe, co-captain of the 2019 World Cup champion U. S. Women’s soccer team, and supermodel Leona Anastasia “Binx” Walton.

“The collection, in a sense, very much matches the personalities of these people who inspire me,” Kim says on Nike’s website. “It’s amazing to have Megan Rapinoe, John Waters, and Binx Walton as faces of the campaign.”

When addressing why Waters was a good fit for the project, Kim said: “I’ve always been inspired by John, because he’s always pushed the boundaries in his work. He tells simple stories in a humorous, thoughtful, and provocative way.”

Nordstrom x Nike shops are in New York City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, Vancouver, and Toronto. Sales will expand to other Nordstrom locations, including the store at Towson Town Center, on November 8.

Initial photographs released for the campaign depict a rave set in 1990s New York, and the three celebrities are all participants seemingly caught mid-pose. In one photo, Waters is shown with his head encircled by a garland of what appear to be silver Christmas tree bulbs. Walton is lounging in a blue chair with her legs crossed, and Rapinoe is crouching like a tigress.

According to Nike, the collection is meant to evoke “90s New York street fashion” and free-spirited nightlife at a time when some clubs had no cover charge.

“The assembled pieces form a perfect confluence of classic Nike and Jordan designs and Olivia’s style—which is rooted in the rave and hip-hop styles defining 90s New York,” the company says on its website. “The collection’s name, ‘No Cover,’ is somewhat of a double entendre to a cover charge one would associate with New York nightlife. In Kim’s eyes, this collection is meant for everyone—men and women, the young and the old—in order to promote no judgments and no rules.”

At the heart of the collection are Kim’s remakes of Nike’s Air Force 1, Air Mowabb, Air Footscape, Air Max 98, and Air Jordan IV models. No Cover is one of the first Nike promotions since the company’s 2018 “Believe in Something” campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick, the former pro football quarterback who became famous for protesting systemic oppression by kneeling during The Star Spangled Banner.

It places Waters, Walton, and Rapinoe in a pantheon of celebrities who have represented Nike, including Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Serena Williams, Lebron James, Derek Jeter, and Kobe Bryant.

Waters, 73, who just completed a speaking and book-signing tour in Australia, declined to comment about his new role as Nike pitchman, saying in an email that he’d need to check with the company first. Although he isn’t generally recognized for his athletic prowess, he is known for wearing sneakers on late night TV appearances and even the cover of his latest book, Mr. Know It All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder.

He has also weighed in on sartorial matters in his films and books, such as raising the issue of whether it’s proper to wear white after Labor Day, in Serial Mom. In his latest book, he advises men above a certain age to stay away from T shirts. “A T-shirt on any man over forty only makes him look fifty,” he warns. “Avoid the T-shirt look even if the temperature outside is ninety degrees.”

Throughout the past few years, the brick exterior of the shop stationed at the corner of West 34th Street and Chestnut Avenue in Hampden has boasted many different colorful murals. Locals might remember the red tricycle that graced the facade when it operated as kid-friendly Play Cafe, or the most recent funky wall design that welcomed neighbors into New York City-style bodega Prime Corner.

Now, the entrance is decorated with hand-painted trees and vines that represent the ethos of Treehouse Cafe and Juice Bar—a new holistic concept that features an entirely gluten-free menu of juices, smoothies, soups, salads, wraps, and pizzas.

“What we’ve seen more than anything else is how much the neighborhood wants something to succeed in the space,” says Kirsten LaPointe, a fitness instructor at Movement Lab in Remington who co-owns Treehouse with fellow yoga teacher Shariff Roberts. “Everyone has come by and been so kind and supportive. Even the people who came in and weren’t so sure they wanted only healthy choices were willing to roll with them.”

As a certified nutritionist, Roberts had always wanted to open his own juice bar. And LaPointe, who worked as an art teacher before joining the local fitness scene, had long envisioned opening a bed-and-breakfast where she grew her own ingredients. Together, they came up with a menu that fuses the two ideas while incorporating superfoods—including turmeric, flax seeds, cacao, and MCT oils—that are medicinal to the body.

“Both of us are coming from the same angle of nurturing people,” LaPointe says. “We want our customers to feel like they’re having a treat, even though it’s all healthy.”

A few of LaPointe’s favorite dishes include the gluten-free pizzas made with vegan cheese, savory hand pies that resemble empanadas, a vegan charcuterie board highlighting smoked hummus and caper berries, and a roasted root salad topped with orange and purple sweet potatoes.

After trying to make the concept work in another space for a number of months, the owners switched gears when they learned that the former Prime Corner store was available.

“Oddly enough, all of the equipment that I had collected for the other location fit into this space just like a puzzle,” LaPointe says. “I got it all in, and I couldn’t even stick a nickel in between two things.”

Once all of the equipment was in place, the team got to work decorating the 50-seat cafe with steel chairs, reclaimed furniture from Second Chance, and new countertops made with live wood collected by local arborists.

“That’s what makes it Treehouse,” LaPointe says, mentioning that she hopes to add ficus and fairy lights soon. “Our name originally came from the beautiful yard and tree at the first location we attempted, but I think it also works here because it hints at the story that everything is made of fruits and vegetables. We’re also using sustainable packaging.”

Though the space is currently operating in soft-opening mode, an official grand opening party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30 from 5-9 p.m. The pre-Halloween bash will feature free wine and card readings by Bonnie Tarantino.

Overall, LaPointe says she’s looking forward to getting to know the neighborhood—especially those who might be skeptical about making a healthy lifestyle change.

“The joy I get is when someone feels better because of something that I served them,” she says. “What I’ve been saying is, ‘It’s our party and everyone is invited.’”

OPEN

Pilates House: A three-day celebration for the opening of Pilates House in Fells Point will take place from October 4–6. The debut will include refreshments, sales, and of course, plenty of pilates classes. And with its attached boutique, you can shop various products from clothing to beauty essentials before or after an intense workout.

Tortuga: Local boutique owner and TV costumer (see: Veep and House of Cards) Julie Bent has found permanent digs for her mobile shop in Lauraville. You may have spotted Tortuga at various pop-up events throughout the city—selling artisanal finds from independent makers. “It’s our mission to discover and bring to Baltimore beautifully designed goods,” Bent says. “We hope that our thoughtfully curated collection resonates with you.” Join in and discover what Tortuga is all about at a grand opening gathering on October 19th.

EVENTS

Philips House Trunk Show: Visit The Shops at Kenilworth on October 2 for the Philips House Trunk Show hosted by Radcliffe Jewelers. Headquartered in Florida, Philips House is a jewelry company that features unique designs for everyday use. The all-day event from 11am-6pm is a perfect excuse to do some mid-week shopping.

Local Fashion Lecture at the Maryland Historical Society: Settle in to learn about Maryland’s own Claire McCardell and her impact on the fashion industry at this community gathering on October 3. Purchase a ticket and join curatorial assistant Barbara Meger for, Why We Wear What We Wear: The Legacy of Claire McCardell. You’ll hear all about Meger’s research and gain insight on the depth of McCardell’s contribution.

Smoke + Mirrors Opening Party: After four years, it seems natural this trendsetting salon embarks on a new journey­. Announced this past August, Smoke + Mirrors has relocated to a bigger and brighter space. With an expanding team, loyal customers will continue to enjoy impressive cuts, organic products, and a fun atmosphere at their new location just down the street in Hampden at 725 W. 36th Street. Join the team in celebrating the move on Saturday, October 19 from 7pm-10pm.

Fashion week isn’t just for iconic luxury labels. In fact, it’s an opportunity for several young and emerging designers to hit the spotlight. For Baltimore-based designer Anifa Mvuemba—who runs a storefront on North Charles Street in Mt. Vernon—this is her time to shine. On September 9th, her womenswear brand Hanifa debuted its fall collection during New York Fashion Week.

Hand-picked among five other designers, Mvuemba was selected for the first run of Teen Vogue’s Generation Next, a mentorship initiative intended to bring young designers forward in the fashion industry. Receiving this news, Mvuemba redirected her fashion week plans. “We were planning a New York Fashion Week pop-up shop, but we were like, ‘Just cancel it—this is so much better,'” she laughs. “It’s mind-boggling­—I’m still on cloud nine.”

It all started with a simple post on Instagram. Seven years ago, Mvuemba was learning to sew, stitching together scraps of fabric to create a dress to wear on her 21st birthday. After that single post, friends were knocking on her door with requests for their own custom garments. With encouragement from her parents, she decided to create more clothing, and in 2012, she launched her first collection­.

Mvuembo’s designs are known to be bright in color, adorned in details such as ruffles or fringe, and structured in silhouettes that hug curves in all of the right places. You may have spotted Hanifa without even knowing it. After launching the collection, the Instagram-based business landed in front of top celebrities. Lately, icons such as Kylie Jenner and Lizzo have been spotted wearing head-to-toe Hanifa.

“It started with Fantasia, and I was blown away,” Mvuemba said. “And then it turned into celebrities personally reaching out via DM or email asking to purchase­…and just genuinely enjoying the brand, not for anything else­—that’s what I wanted and I’m so grateful.”

Hanifa steps onto the scene with something new and relatable. As a woman of color with curves, designing for similar body types has been fundamental. Authenticity has always been key, and for Mvuemba, it’s what continues to drive her designs.

“Sometimes, I feel like I don’t know if [the fashion industry] sees me,” she says. “I would love to be a voice for girls like me.”