Locals who have recently strolled along the Fells Point waterfront have likely noticed that the neighborhood has stepped up its outdoor dining game.

The community has erected a number of “parklets”—parking spaces-turned-al fresco dining areas made out of recycled materials and greenery—adjacent to many eateries on the 1700 block of Thames Street.

The goal is to safely expand outdoor seating, while also supporting the bars, restaurants, and retail shops that have been hammered by the coronavirus shutdown.

Kooper’s Tavern was the first to host a parklet last month, and since then the Department of Transportation has approved dining areas outside of Waterfront Hotel and The Point in Fells. The Kooper’s parklet is divided into sections for neighboring sister-restaurants Slainte and Woody’s, to use, as well. Another is currently in the works for Riptide by the Bay.

“We’re hoping this helps turn 2020 into a profitable year for businesses,” says Maureen Sweeney Smith, executive director of Fells Point Main Street.

Residents and restaurant owners share the same hope. Many volunteers flocked to Thames Street last week to help construct the parklets. The setup outside of Kooper’s, which has been used as a prototype, was designed by Fells Point Main Street board member and resident Bryce Turner, along with his firm BCT Architects.

“I have a theory that people really enjoy being places they’re not supposed to,” Turner says. “I think that’s true in Fells. If you can have seating in a parking space, even in the road, it can be an interesting experience. We needed a perimeter around the seating area, and we thought, ‘How can we do that?’ We didn’t have a lot of funding. So we decided to use repurposed materials.”

The parklets are constructed from reclaimed pallets, crates, and large electrical cable spools, and they’re accented with plants and flowers.

“We didn’t want businesses who are already hurting to have to spend a bunch of money on planters and dividers,” Smith says. “I’m just bowled over with the creativity of what people are doing and how great they’re making these look. It’s been really impressive.”

On Tuesday, June 23, volunteers and restaurant staff brought their own circle saws and got to work cutting pallets, cleaning bike racks, and sprucing up the landscaping.

“It was very community-based,” says volunteer and Fells Point resident Samantha Wilkes. “There was coffee and donuts. Folks were walking by and were interested in what was going on. Some people stopped to help for a bit, then kept walking. Everyone was sharing tools. There were good vibes all around.”

The Point in Fells owner Erica Russo says that she worked with fellow Thames Street bar and restaurant owners to come up with parklets that mimicked Turner’s design.

“We bounced ideas off each other to make sure they were structurally sound and safe,” she says. Around 10 members of Russo’s staff helped construct The Point’s parklet, along with two regulars who came out to lend a hand.

“Some people aren’t ready to sit inside a restaurant, even with 50 percent capacity,” she says. “I think being outside in the summer, [the parklets] will revitalize the area and bring life to restaurants that might not have survived without them.”

The designs are also meant to help curb some of the crowds that have routinely gathered in Broadway Square, a practice that began when bars and restaurants were only serving takeout.

“We hope the outdoor dining will have a positive effect on the neighborhood,” Smith says. “We don’t know whether [the crowds] will continue or not, but we’re hoping the outdoor dining displaces some of the partiers.”

Adds Russo: “With such a thriving area of locals, tourists, and visitors, it’s been rough trying to get everyone back open and follow the rules. Fells Point is a big public open space, so we’re hoping that by using some of that space to create areas for people to sit and dine and enjoy beverages, it will help control the crowds. I think this is really a lifesaver to a lot of restaurants down here.”

And it might not be long before we see the parklets expand beyond Thames. Smith says she’s been discussing outdoor dining expansion plans with businesses on the 700 and 800 blocks of Broadway—including Abbey Burger Bistro and Max’s Taphouse.

“We’re putting a lot of effort into making the neighborhood safe and friendly to all,” Russo says. “Whether they’re tourists or residents, we want everyone to be able to come out in a respectable manner, feel safe, and support local.”

Walkability was a huge factor for Michael Neall when he decided to open Blue Dog BBQ in the former Heavy Seas Alehouse space, which sits on the corner of Central Avenue and Bank Street near Little Italy.

“One of the first things we did was check out the walk score for our location,” says Neall, who opened Blue Dog with partners Sean Stoll and Jon Royce last October. “It was a 96. That’s about as good as it gets for a business that would rely on foot traffic.”

After months converting the space from a brewpub to a barbecue joint, the team was finally ready to fire up its signature all-wood smoker and welcome the first wave of customers. But just five days before the grand opening, jersey walls were put up along Central Avenue as the city’s Departments of Transportation and Public Works prepared to begin a large-scale infrastructure improvement project in the area—which included installing new subterranean electric, sewage, and plumbing conduits.

“When the barriers went up, our hearts skipped a beat,” Neall says. “We immediately just thought, ‘Okay, how are we going to deal with this?’”

This is a question that many small business owners have been asking themselves in the midst of ongoing development throughout the city. Specifically in the Harbor East and Fells Point areas, where detour signs and traffic cones have become routine, restaurateurs have been struggling to cope with construction projects that have taken years to finish.

Take Sunni Gilliam, who opened Teavolve on the corner of Aliceanna and South Eden streets in 2008. The cafe preceded many of the shiny residences and luxury shops that have since sprouted up in Harbor East, and it’s now stationed in the heart of construction for the new Liberty residences—which will be anchored by a 50,000-square-foot Whole Foods on the ground floor when it debuts this summer.

“We’ve seen some challenges,” Gilliam says. “There’s definitely been a decline in our figures, but we’re very fortunate that people still find a way to get here. They’re still making a point to come in and support us.”

Gilliam mentions the loss of parking on South Eden and Aliceanna Streets as a major deterrent for customers. She speculates that it contributed to the closure of the neighboring Mussel Bar—which shuttered last year, but is reopening as a jazz club this spring. Just a few blocks over in Fells Point, businesses are facing similar issues as a result of the redevelopment in Broadway Square.

“It hasn’t been easy,” says Carrie Podles, co-owner of Alexander’s Tavern on the 700 block of South Broadway. “We’ve lost so much parking, and there doesn’t seem to be any parking replaced. Business was booming four or five years ago, and then it was one thing after another and it just seemed like it was never ending.”

In response to the construction—which began with the Marketplace at Fells Point apartments and continues with the overhaul of Broadway Market—Podles says she has been encouraging customers to use ridesharing platforms when coming in to the restaurant. Additionally, Alexander’s has been amping up its off-site catering to make up for the loss of diners.

A self-proclaimed optimist, Neall at Blue Dog has also been searching for innovative ways to drive business throughout construction. He and his team recently participated in the Baltimore Wing Festival to spread the word about his restaurant, has been promoting their private party room, and has found success using delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Despite the barriers and heavy equipment that will likely surround his barbecue spot until the end of the year, Neall remains positive about how the city has responded to his concerns. He says that officials have been gracious about sending notices of planned outages and potential water shutoffs so that the restaurant can prepare accordingly.

“So often you hear about antagonism between businesses and government, but I haven’t had that experience at all,” he says. “I found that they have been very understanding. We all recognize that this is a needed infrastructure project, and that, if the city is going to progress, it’s going to have to do these types of things.”

He also mentions that the city is working on adding a crosswalk at the corner of Bank and Central so that potential patrons can access the restaurant without having to deal with the extended pedestrian detour.

“When I’m walking down a sidewalk and I see a sign that says ‘sidewalk closed,’ what that says to me, and to any potential customer seeing it, is ‘don’t go there,” he says. “And that’s the direct opposite of what we want.”

Though dealing with construction remains tough, business owners agree that the ongoing projects will benefit the overall vitality of their neighborhoods in the long run.

“We’re fighting the fight,” Podles says. “We just need to make it to the end to enjoy all of the benefits.”

Gilliam sees the light at the end of the tunnel for Harbor East: “It’s going to feel like an entirely new area,” she says. “We were here when hardly anything else was. Before it was stagnant, so we welcome the construction because we know it’s going to pay off big time. We just have to hold on for a couple more months.”

Much like the Fells Point neighborhood itself, the annual Fells Point Fun Fest has evolved significantly throughout the years. But despite all of the changes—including downsizing the footprint to work around the construction near Broadway Square last fall—celebrating the closeness of the residents and merchants has always been a top priority for organizers.

In an effort to strengthen that hyper-local approach, this year, Fells Point Main Street (FPMS) officials have decided to pack the historically two-day event into one day on Saturday, October 13, with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, October 14.

Misty Keens, executive director of FPMS, says that because of the influx of city events that locals have to choose from, attendance has steadily dropped on the second day of the festival in recent years.

“With the attendance being low on Sunday, a lot of the vendors try to pack up early and it doesn’t have that same feel of this cool, fun, city festival,” Keens says. “On Saturday, people are packing the streets, seeing the vibrancy of the neighborhood, and making plans to come back. And then Sunday might be an afterthought to some people.”

Keens says that Sunday attendance sunk considerably last year, explaining that costs double for overnight security, delivery, and pickup services on the second day. Additionally, vendors see a decrease in revenue on Sunday due to the lack of foot traffic.

The format change comes at a transformative time for FPMS, which has welcomed new members and ramped up its community outreach events in the past year since Keens was brought on board as executive director.

“One of the great things about this board in its current configuration is that we look at things through a different filter,” says FPMS organization committee chair Chris Seiler. “Last year was awesome, and this is just a part of the ongoing tweaks to make the festival more viable and successful. The quality is a big deal for us. If you show up on Saturday, this thing should absolutely blow away any expectations that you have for it.”

Though the duration of the gathering will be shorter, organizers are looking forward to making the one-day soiree one of the best yet. The festival’s footprint will be similar to last year’s, extending from Caroline to Ann streets with vendors set up along Thames Street and the newly beautified Broadway Square—which will also house the main stage.

“The square is going to be the heartbeat,” Keens says, mentioning that a second stage will be added closer to the kid’s zone near Brown’s Wharf. “There’s going to be a lot of high energy in that area and then some spots that are slightly more mellow. We’re hoping to attract a lot of diverse crowds.”

While specifics regarding the live music lineup, craft vendors, and food and drink options are still being finalized, Keens says that the Fells Point businesses will play a huge role in the festivities. As in previous years, merchants will offer sidewalk sales and restaurants will feature grab-and-go type eats that visitors can snack on while perusing handmade wares from the likes of Art by Barton, Tin Lizzy Mobile Boutique, and Beltway Merch.

In a time where Fells Point is experiencing rapid growth (including the introduction of the Sagamore Pendry hotel and upgrades coming to Broadway Market), organizers are eager to get back to the roots of the event—which began as a way for residents to band together to save their waterfront locale from demolition during the proposed federal highway expansion of 1966.

“The festival really allows the businesses and residents to showcase the pride they have for their neighborhood,” Keens says. “They are bonded and strong. And they are very happy to have these folks lining the streets to come celebrate their home with them.”

The ongoing construction working to beautify Broadway Square in Fells Point might not be complete just yet, but organizers of the upcoming Fells Point Fun Festival aren’t letting the work stop them from upholding the community’s 51-year-old tradition.

In a classic case of turning lemons into lemonade, organizers with the Fells Point Main Street Association (FPMSA) saw the construction as a reason to downsize the event this year. And, along with the smaller footprint, comes a renewed focus on the local community.

“We knew that without the square we would lose some of the vendor space,” says FPMSA president Nick Johnson, who also owns Su Casa. “We thought about how to still make it this phenomenal festival that people will love even with less vendors. And the answer was to turn it back into a real Fells Point festival, and showcase what’s here every day.”

The community street fair returns October 7-8, focusing in on more local bars, restaurants, artists, musicians, and small businesses than in recent history.

Johnson says that, in recent years, the festival has adopted more of a carnival feel—with offerings like inflatable prizes and eats on a stick. Now, he hopes to get back to the roots of the event—which originally started as a fundraiser to protect the waterfront neighborhood from demolition during the proposed federal highway expansion of 1966.

“If you look at it from a historical context, the festival started out as a celebration of the neighborhood so that the city would see that there was value to keeping it,” he says. “This is a chance to change things up and really start to emphasize what’s so phenomenal about this community day in and day out.”

Unlike previous years where vendors were set up inside Broadway Square, the smaller event will be primarily held along Thames Street this year. Although the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that construction on the square will be complete by Friday, September 29, FPMSA admittedly has its doubts.

“I was in an elevator this morning with the community liaison for DOT, and she was like ‘Aren’t you excited the square is going to be done on Friday?’” he recalls, with a laugh. “And I was like, ‘Have you been there lately?'” 

Johnson says that there is still a significant amount of bricklaying and concrete-pouring to be done, but, if anything, the association hopes that the fences around the square will be removed by next weekend so that guests can hang out in the center of the neighborhood during the festival.

Instead of organizers bringing in outside food purveyors, the eateries on Thames Street will set up booths in front of their restaurants and cafe-style seating in the street—a model which Johnson says will be similar to Annapolis’ reoccurring Dinner Under the Stars program. The festival’s open-container policy will once again be in effect this year (organizers got rid of the beer gardens in 2013), allowing attendees to consume alcohol anywhere on festival grounds with the purchase of a wristband.

Aside from restaurants, there has also been a boost in other Fells Point businesses that are vowing to participate this year. Among them is Amuse Toys, which will feature a tent outside, and various family-friendly activities including Smithsonian-recommended silhouette artist Tim Arnold on Saturday, October 7.

“We’ve participated before, but now it’s kind of a reenergized participation,” says Amuse owner Claudia Towles. “It’s going to feel very different. It only makes sense to celebrate the neighborhood by featuring those who make it so charming. Bringing the festival back with a local focus is key to the continued success of the community.”

Other highlights to look forward to include handmade wares for sale by local crafters, and a jam-packed live music lineup boasting only Maryland bands. Headliners are set to include local rocker—and Dangerously Delicious Pies owner—Rodney Henry, the bluesy Kelly Bell Band, and Annapolis-based reggae and ska favorite Bumpin Uglies.

The reinvigorated festival comes at a transformative time for the neighborhood, which recently welcomed Kevin Plank’s $60 million Sagamore Pendry Hotel, and was added to Waterfront Partnership’s purview earlier this month.

Johnson says that the evolution of Fells Point is something that he and longtime friend Bryan Burkert, who owns The Sound Garden, talk about often: “Whenever there is a new project announced we always joke, ‘This is going to be the one that takes us to another level,’” he says with a laugh. “But this year really marks the turning point. Once the square is done, there is very little to hold us back.”

Towles, too, sees the reinvigorated festival and all of the recent improvements as a larger vision for what’s to come.

“It’s turning the page on the focus of the neighborhood,” she says. “What’s new is shiny and beautiful, and certainly changes the dynamics, but it’s only serving to highlight what is already here.” 

For more than 70 years, state politicians, community leaders, and Fells Point residents alike have made Jimmy’s Restaurant a part of their morning routine—frequently stopping by to enjoy a breakfast platter and requisite cup of piping-hot coffee served atop a paper placemat. 

And, although some have worried that the beloved breakfast-and-lunch spot will lose its charm under new management, new owner Rudy Keskin is committed to preserving the legacy of the South Broadway staple—which was established by the late Jimmy Filipidis in 1946.

“The reason I kept the name Jimmy’s is because it’s been around for 72 years,” Keskin says. “It’s about respect for the customers and the community. They want to see local businesses continue.”

Keskin, a local restaurateur who owns Rudy’s Mediterranean Grill in Columbia, officially took over the business earlier this year, and has since implemented a number of interior upgrades and additions to the menu. All of which will be showcased at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening celebration held on Thursday, July 13 at 6 p.m.

“Adding to the greatness that is Jimmy’s has been an amazing journey,” Keskin says.  “We want to respect its history and the memories created inside its doors.”

As second-generation Jimmy’s owner Nick Filipidis—whom Keskin met through the local restaurant scene—began contemplating retirement five years ago, he knew he wanted to pass the torch to Keskin, who says he wasn’t ready to take the plunge until recently.

“I wanted to focus on my other restaurant,” he explains. “But last summer, [Filipidis] asked me, ‘Are you ready now?’ At that point, it was the right time.”

While the diner will continue to serve its classics (think egg-and-meat platters, burgers, and eight-inch subs), Keskin has made it a priority to add dinner options to the menu—which now lists lamb chops, seafood dishes, pastas, ribeye, kebabs, whole bronzini, and a selection of housemade desserts. The eatery is now open for dinner service until 10 p.m. on weekdays (with happy hour running 4 p.m. until close), and the bar will operate until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

In addition to the menu tweaks, the restaurant’s interior has also been touched up with new floors and ceilings, expanded counter seating, a full wine bar, and upgraded furniture custom made in Turkey. The spot, which now seats 93 people inside, also offers al fresco dining along Broadway Square.

The grand reopening comes at a transformative time for the square, which has been under construction since February. Improvements being made to the site include additional benches, new greenery, and a second kiosk, as well as updated lights, drainage, and electrical systems.

Community leaders estimate the new square will debut before the annual Fells Point Fun Festival in October. Keskin notes that, in addition to serving regulars who have been frequenting Jimmy’s for decades, he is excited to welcome new faces visiting the neighborhood once improvements to the square have been finalized this fall.

“It will be good for us and the entire community,” he says. “Fells Point is such a great area with tons of history. Instead of people going to Annapolis or the National Harbor, we need to bring them here so that they can see that.”