For decades, rock performers have struggled with aging. Occupying a creative space long characterized by teen-spirit moshing and “hope-I-die-before-I-get-old” declarations, they often project an illusion of eternal youth. Not so with indie rocker Shirlé Hale, who offers a refreshing alternative to such delusions.

It’s been a momentous year for Hale, the bassist and vocalist in acclaimed local bands such as Womyn of Destruction and Gerty, the latter featuring her husband, David Koslowski. In early 2023, the couple behind the Baby’s On Fire record shop and café in Mount Vernon sold most of their possessions and relocated to Portugal. Late in the year, Hale released her debut solo album, The Silver Garden, which is out now. Produced by Rob Girardi (Beach House, Double Dagger), the record features an impressive cast of local legends like Arbouretum, Jawbox, and Celebration on tunes she calls “love songs for aging people.”

It opens with the swaggering “Big Summer Moon,” before unfurling through a succession of melodic, at times majestic tunes addressing various aspects of growing old. Hale’s evocative singing gives the album a supple authenticity that brings to mind Siouxsie Sioux or even Jeff Buckley’s Grace. A spot-on cover of Talk Talk’s “Life’s What You Make It” fits in perfectly.

Why did you wait so long to put out your first solo record?
I didn’t have the confidence to do it before now, because I was too self-conscious. At the age of 59, I feel like I can do what the hell I want and not worry so much about what other people think.

When subjects like aging and loss started turning up in your songs, did you welcome that development or initially resist it?
At first, I didn’t realize what I was writing about. I didn’t think, “I’m gonna write an album about aging.” The songs just started happening, the words flowed, and, at some point, I realized there was a thread running through it all.

Looking back, why did those subjects emerge like they did?
Both of my parents had passed away, my brother died, and one of my best friends had a heart attack out of the blue. It was like, “Oh my god, make it stop.” But it made me realize I’m in this part of my life, and this is how things are gonna roll. I’m getting older, and people are going to start leaving. That realization also played a part in me and David leaving Baltimore and moving to Portugal. For the past 10 or 15 years, we’d been saying, “Wouldn’t it be great to live in Europe?” Then we realized that life is short, and we better do it now before we’re too old to walk the hills of Lisbon.

Do you admire any musicians or artists who share a similar perspective?
Patti Smith is constantly looking at where she came from and where she’s going, in her music and in the books she writes. She readily acknowledges the profound losses she’s experi- enced and seems to honestly care about humanity. It’s inspiring that she’s 15 to 20 years older than me, and she’s still doing it.

The Silver Garden title seems to hint at decline while, at the same time, nodding to some kind of abundance.
The title, like the album, is an ode to time passing and all that goes with it—not only the gray hair and wrinkles, but also the memories, lessons learned, and knowledge you gain over time. The title also refers to a bunch of old friends—all silver, gray-haired people themselves—who lent their talents to this project. They’re part of a garden of musician friends that I’ve grown over the course of 30 years.

With that in mind, how would you characterize your days the Baltimore music scene?
I moved to Baltimore in 1989 with friends from Berklee [College of Music]. In Boston, it was dog-eat-dog, but from the get-go, Baltimore felt like a weird co-op of musicians and artists. Everyone was so supportive of each other. Baltimore, especially in the 1990s, was very collaborative. In fact, when we went on tour, people in other cities would say, “You all are so nice.” Well, it’s because we come from a city where we’re used to helping each other out.

Since 2016, Baby’s on Fire, the cozy coffee spot/record store in Mt. Vernon, has been a haven for vinyl lovers and chai latte-sippers alike.

So when it was announced that owners David and Shirlé Koslowski were partnering with Michael Bowen (formerly of the Ottobar) to bring their musical minds and cafe fare to Fells Point in November, there was plenty of local buzz. Combine that with a location in the former vinyl room of seminal record store The Sound Garden and a new bar program, and you’ve got a recipe for an irresistible all-day hangout. In a neighborhood with plenty of options for beer, wings, and a raucous evening crowd, Baby’s offers a calmer, more conversational atmosphere.

The Sound Garden’s records have been cleared out (not to worry, they still fill the back half of the store) to reveal a large space filled with comfy window seats, a tall communal table, and a custom bar. Local art hangs on the walls, and a chalkboard calendar gives a run-down of the week’s events: karaoke, a free art opening, industry night. It’s a small sampling of what the Koslowskis and Bowen want to do with the space.

In December, The Sound Garden hosted alt-rockers Silversun Pickups ahead of their Rams Head Live! stop, bringing fans into the cafe for a sort of intimate pregame with the band, including a performance and record signing. Events like that—as well as singer- songwriter performances and residencies, art openings, and trivia nights—are fun additions to the everyday vibe of Baby’s Fells Point, which has managed to mimic what makes its big sister spot so good: It’s for everybody.

“We want to get back to that sense of community,” says David. “It’s been really rewarding for us, and it sort of like feels like we can give back to our city by feeding them, keeping them caffeinated, or giving them a safe space to hang out and meet people.”

Affordable quality was top of mind when David and Bowen developed the new bar program, which is unique to the Fells Point location. Old world wines and local beers dominate the bar menu, but no glass will set you back more than $12. When it comes to breakfast and lunch, omnivores have plenty of options, but vegetarians and vegans will welcome Shirlé’s menu of plant-forward sandwiches, salads, and even a rotating twist on vegan mac and cheese.

“There’s a few things that Baby’s has wanted to do from the get go, and we’re continu- ing to do them here. One is to have a really friendly staff, two is to deliver quality food and drink, and three is to do it in an unpretentious way,” David says. “Everybody can enjoy good things.”

OPEN

Baby’s on Fire: The husband-and-wife owners behind Mt. Vernon’s record store cafe have taken their love of vinyl to a whole other level. After months of planning, David and Shirlé Koslowski—along with their partner, Michael Bowen, the former co-owner of the Ottobar—have opened a second location inside The Sound Garden in Fells Point. “We’re beyond ecstatic to be joining the Fells Point community and to bring them the love we’ve already been giving to Mt. Vernon,” David says. “Coffee shops and bars are all about community, and now with the opening of the Fells Point location, we have a space for that during the day and night.” Housed in the store’s old vinyl room, the cafe offers Stumptown Coffee and espresso drinks throughout the day, and craft beer and wine in the evening. After flipping through the bins, head into the cafe to read the liner notes over a pastry, sandwich, wrap, or hearty bowl of soup.

COMING SOON

The Manor: Robert Gay and Joshua Persing—the duo who previously operated G.A.Y. Lounge in the Mt. Vernon building that is now The Civil—are breathing new life into yet another one of the neighborhood’s historic spaces. In the coming months, they will transform the mansion that previously housed The Elephant, which closed for good amid drawn-out financial issues last spring, into a new dining-and-entertainment concept called The Manor. Alongside a selection of worldly cuisine, the spot will highlight EDM and house music, weekend entertainment, and routine drag brunches.

NEWS

Sally O’s: Two weeks ago, Highlandtown locals were saddened by the news that owner Shannon Cassidy would be closing beloved neighborhood hangout The Laughing Pint after 13 years. In her announcement, Cassidy assured patrons that she would be leaving the bar in “wonderful hands.” This week, it was announced that those hands belong to industry veteran Jesse Sandlin—a Top Chef alum who most recently has been heading up the kitchen at The Outpost American Tavern in Riverside. Sandlin is currently renovating the bar and hopes to reopen it as Sally O’s in February. “It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time to own my own place,” she said in a post to Facebook. “I’m happy that I’m able to do so in my home neighborhood.” Stay tuned for updates.

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/21: Beaujolais Day at Chez Hugo

Head to Chez Hugo Bistro to celebrate Beaujolais Day—the third Thursday in November tradition that debuts a special red wine made with grapes from the Beaujolais region of France—with French-born chef Steve Monnier. Throughout the evening, diners will enjoy complimentary glasses of the early vintage release of Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Plus, other selections from the fifth-generation grower will be served, and there will also be bottles for sale for guests who wish to add to their own cellars at home.

11/24: Vegan Thanksgiving Pop-Up
Join vegan vlogger Antonio Simpson, more fondly known as The Vegan Mechanic, at this Thanksgiving pop-up that will be 100-percent vegan friendly. Head to The Greener Kitchen in Pigtown for meatless spins on classic smoked ham, deep-fried turkey, and baked macaroni and cheese. The $20 feast also includes Old Bay cajun green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, and fried Caribbean cabbage.

SHUT

Il Palio: This pizza-and-pasta spot inside the Foundry Row development in Owings Mills has closed its doors for good. A sign posted to the front door last week indicated that the restaurant’s final night of service was Thursday, November 14. “To the loyal customers we have proudly served, we thank you for your patronage, but regret to inform you that we are closing Il Palio,” wrote Kevin Gudejko, director of operations for restaurant group Mainstreet Ventures. Since opening in June 2018, the dining destination became known for its rustic Italian fare including Neapolitan pizzas, bountiful chopped salads, and tableside fettuccini alfredo tossed in wheel of imported parmigiano reggiano.

Do you ever love a restaurant so much you want to take a piece of it home with you? And no, we’re not talking about petty theft of salt and pepper shakers or a short-lived box of leftovers.

Many beloved local restaurants sell swag, so you can flaunt your adoration for them anytime. Our own collection includes a navy blue long-sleeve from McFaul’s IronHorse Tavern of Parkville, a coffee mug dotted with strawberries from Ocean City’s Bayside Skillet, and a bumper sticker from the ever-quirky Papermoon Diner.

And while you might get a new addition to your closet, the restaurant also gets a boost in the name of free advertising.

Restaurant consultant Arlene Spiegel of Arlene Spiegel & Associates in New York City notes that restaurant merchandising is a way to make sure that a given brand stays with a guest.

“Whether it’s a T-shirt, an umbrella, or a jar of barbecue sauce,” Spiegel says, “the whole idea is that the brand is extended beyond the brick and mortar of the restaurant itself.”

If you want to show support for your favorite spot, check out some of these nifty merch options.

The Charmery Engraved Ice-Cream Scoop ($20)

Why stop at simply taking home a pint of one of the Charmery’s eccentric flavors? Recreate the experience by treating yourself to an ice-cream scoop engraved with the shop’s logo.

Baby’s on Fire Mug (10)

Show off your love for records and your dedication to caffeine by grabbing a cute white mug with the logo of Mt. Vernon’s finest. Better still, stop in for
a cup of coffee and buy a mug for whomever you call ‘baby.’

Sticky Rice Star Wars Shirt ($16)

Whether you’re a sci-fi buff or a connoisseur of high-quality tater tots, Sticky Rice has something for everyone. Meld the two passions together by checking out this T-shirt, and we can (almost) guarantee that you’ll be the only person in the room wearing tater-shooting-spaceship chic.

Duck Duck Goose Baseball Hat ($30)

There aren’t many things in this world cuter than baby ducks, which is why we adore the embroidered ducks on the back of the hats from this Fells Point eatery. For a fashion-forward look, wear it backwards to display the ducks to the world.

As a teenager living in Carroll County in the early ’80s, David Koslowski always dreamt about going to the Marble Bar beneath the old Congress Hotel on West Franklin Street. The local music veteran, now co-owner of record store cafe Baby’s on Fire in Mt. Vernon, remembers being an avid listener to WCVT—Towson’s indie-rock radio station that predated what is now WTMD.

“When they did the concert calendar you would hear of Talking Heads or Iggy Pop playing at the Marble Bar,” he says. “And I was like, ‘I gotta get to that place. That’s where my tribe is.’’’

Unfortunately, Koslowski just missed being old enough to get in. It was around that point that Maryland changed the legal drinking age, and by the time he turned 21, the storied subterranean music venue had already closed its doors. It wasn’t until last year, when the Baltimore Architecture Foundation hosted its annual Groundhog Day fundraiser in the long vacant space, that Koslowski finally got to experience the place he had envisioned going to for so many years as a high school kid.

For one night last February, former Marble Bar alums and architecture enthusiasts packed the basement venue to sip cocktails from W.C. Harlan while marveling at the original moldings and 72-foot namesake bar. The soundtrack for the evening was provided by indie-pop rockers Super City, along with a playlist spun by Koslowski—who featured acts (including local punk legends Reptile House and Thee Katatonix) that played at the bar in its heyday.

“It was a really fun mix of people,” says Kathleen Lane, executive director of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation. “Both people who remember being in the space, and architects who could almost help them see the importance of the details that are still intact in the building.”

The party was the first time the bar had been activated in more than 30 years. Even if only for a few hours, it gave nostalgic fans an opportunity to revisit the place that was once frequented by the likes of REM and The Psychedelic Furs. But now, the owners of Mobtown Ballroom in Pigtown have stepped in to spearhead a more permanent revival.

Come fall, owners Sarah Sullivan and Michael Seguin will debut a new iteration of the space. Their vision is for the Marble Bar, which will keep its name, to be a community cafe that features an all-day food menu with strong coffee and cocktail programs.

“We want it to be a spot that people can make their second home,” Sullivan says. “They can come in the morning to get coffee and a bagel and read the paper, or park themselves during the day to do their work. And then in the evening come in for a casual date or just to hang out in a comfortable, cool spot that is affordable—kind of like a European-style cafe.”

Although live music won’t necessarily be the focus of the new concept (Sullivan mentions possible piano showcases and smaller jazz trios), the owners are being thoughtful about honoring the history of the property in other ways, like showcasing old photographs and collecting stories from former regulars for new customers to read. Of course, they are also planning to preserve architectural details including the vintage moldings.

“I know what it’s like to have grown up in a place and then have it close, get knocked down, or be replaced with something new,” Sullivan says. “We really want it to be a monument to the people who used to spend all their time there.”

Built in 1903, The Congress Hotel complex—which included the downstairs bar and two theaters connected to the building by covered passageways—brought in big vaudeville acts like Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, and Eddie Cantor in its early years. The basement originally operated as a German rathskeller (aka a basement bar) before being reimagined into a home for emerging punk and new wave bands in the ’70s and ’80s.

“Everyone knows buildings through their own experiences and memories,” Lane says. “So the best kinds of adaptations and revivals are those that can retain a sense of that history, yet also create new opportunities for the future.”

Koslowski agrees, mentioning the trajectory of other historic arts spaces like the Club Charles: “Now it’s an icon of the city for the next generation,” he says.

As the Mobtown team begins restoration work, Zahlco Development—which owns the bar and Congress Apartments upstairs—is beginning to transform the historic Mayfair Theatre around the corner into a retail-and-residential property. There’s also talks of converting the outdoor area between the two buildings into a community hub with seating and a stage for open-air concerts in the summer. Ideally, the greenspace would boast a seperate entrance to the Marble Bar.

Sullivan says she’s most enthusiastic about the venue becoming a place where people from all backgrounds can come and interact with one another—a vibe similar to what she has established at Mobtown Ballroom.

“Watching what happens when the character of the space and the character of the people come together is really cool,” she says. “It’s this idea that the place is this thing that was once living and breathing on its own, and to reanimate that with the personalities of people today is really exciting.”

OPEN

Charmed Kitchen: Early risers in Butchers Hill are in for a treat this week as this new community cafe officially opened its doors for breakfast service starting at 6:30 a.m. The community spot from longtime neighborhood residents Lindsay and Andrew Crummey debuted with an opening menu of coffee, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches on fresh-baked breads. The plan is for executive chef Christa Bruno to roll out dinner service in the coming weeks, featuring dishes that reflect her Italian roots. (Think pasta, risotto, meats, and fish cooked with local produce.) Until then, the shop will offer a variety of coffee drinks, as well as breakfast and lunch fare, during the day. 123 S. Chester St. 443-627-8369

COMING SOON

Saffron Grill: The dining options in Fells Point are becoming increasingly diverse, with new restaurants opening along the waterfront, an array of vendors preparing to open inside Broadway Market, and now, this new Indian and Pakistani concept opening in the area. Slated to debut in February 2019, Saffron Grill will focus on Middle Eastern staples including authentic kebabs, lamb chops, and gyros. “We look forward to adding a different option to the standard American fare in Fells Point,” said owner Syed Zaidis in a statement. The spot will neighbor new women’s boutique Mint & Major in the mixed-use Marketplace at Fells Point on South Broadway. 616 S. Broadway.

NEWS

The Bluebird and Little Bird Welcome New Chefs: A new chef duo is at the helm of Hampden’s Bluebird Cocktail Room, as well as its subterranean sister-spot Little Bird Coffee Bar. Newly appointed executive chef Chance Jones and sous chef Bri White met Bluebird owners Paul and Caroline Benkert in their former roles at Woodberry Kitchen. At Bluebird, diners can expect to see more locally sourced ingredients incorporated into the dishes and drinks. Downstairs at Little Bird, Jones and White are hoping to introduce special pairing dinners that showcase seasonal ingredients from regional purveyors such as Caputo Bros. Creamery in Southern Pennsylvania. 3600 Hickory Ave. 667-303-3263

Baby’s on Fire Joins Retail Coffee Market: Be on the lookout for a new signature coffee blend at record store-cafe Baby’s on Fire in Mt. Vernon. Husband-and-wife owners David and Shirlé Koslowski recently partnered with Bryce Roszell of Open Seas Coffee Roasters on Kent Island to create their own blend, which incorporates grinds from Brazil, Sumatra, and Guatemala. Used in espresso and drip drinks, the coffee features notes of cinnamon, vanilla, almond, and earthy cedar with a hint of citrus. For every 12-oz. bag of Baby’s On Fire Blend purchased, 10 percent of the profits are invested back into sustainable coffee farming projects and communities. 1010 Morton St. 443-885-9892

The Red Star Bar & Grill Debuts New Winter Menu: If you haven’t had a chance to visit the new Red Star location in Charles Village since its grand opening last summer, stop in this season to sample eats off of a brand-new winter menu. Executive chef Francisco Lopez—formerly of Ryleigh’s Oyster in Federal Hill—debuted a selection of comforting dishes at the new location in Charles Village, as well as the Red Star flagship in Fells Point, earlier this week. Among them are a pot roast French dip with horseradish sauce and a $10 “Red Star” burger stacked with American cheese. Equipped with warm woods and dim lighting, the cozy Charles Village space also hosts beer-and-burger specials on Mondays, half-priced wine for neighborhood locals on Tuesdays, and other nightly specials. 3224 St. Paul St. 443-948-5539

EPICUREAN EVENTS

12/8: Diamondback and Order & Chaos Coffee Stout Launch Party
For the third year in a row, South Baltimore neighbors Diamondback Beer and Order & Chaos are teaming up to unveil a limited-edition coffee stout. Order & Chaos general manager Rachel Harris worked alongside Diamondback head brewer Tom Foster to dream up the beer, which is brewed with dark specialty malts and cold brew coffee. This Saturday, pair the specialty brew—which has notes of chocolate, dark fruit, and roasted almonds—with Order & Chaos’ signature Belgian waffles at an official launch party at Diamondback from 12-4 p.m. If you can’t make it to the event, the beer will be available in the taproom throughout the beginning of January. 1215 E Fort Ave. Ste. 008

SHUT (FOR NOW)

Stang of Siam: For the time being, Stang of Siam regulars are going to have to get their Thai fix elsewhere in Mt. Vernon. A sign posted to the front door of the restaurant on North Calvert Street indicates that the eatery closed, but will reopen under new management in the coming weeks. “We expect all of you will still be pleased with the quality of food and service,” the sign reads. The statement goes on to explain that the new owners operate multiple Thai restaurants in Washington, D.C., and plan to do some renovating before reopening with a new name. 1301 N. Calvert St.