“It was this little, tiny thing. I was just like, ‘I want to do this,’” recalls Cohn, who had been working in construction management. As he started drafting plans to launch his own spin on the concept back in Baltimore, he met Mark Brown, the owner of No Land Beyond, a gaming hub and retail space in Station North that was looking for a new space. “We serendipitously fell into each other’s laps,” Cohn says. The fact that Brown’s spot also featured board games made it even more perfect. Soon enough, the two men would combine forces for a new No Land Beyond in Old Goucher.

“We wanted to be close to the original location,” explains Brown. “Both of us have lived in proximity to the new space for the last couple of years. We loved what Sophomore Coffee was doing up the street. We loved what Lane Harlan was doing with Clavel and Fadensonnen around the corner. North Avenue Market is right down the street. We wanted to be a part of that.” Brown notes that central Baltimore didn’t have a place where people could just hang out and play old-fashioned board games.

“People also love video games, but we wanted to create a space where people could actually interact with each other and communicate and share experiences around the games they play,” Brown says. With the help of friends at East Wing Architects, the pair managed to transform the new venue (housed inside a multi-level office space on 2125 Maryland Avenue) into what they call an “elevated living room” that featured two bars (on on each floor), plus bistro lighting, vibrant pops of paint, historic charm, cozy seating all throughout, and, of course, a collection of one-off board games stacked from floor to ceiling in the library upstairs. 

It was all set to go, but not long after establishing the new venue, the COVID-19 pandemic reared its ugly head. “It was pretty scary at first. We were scrambling for anything we could do to stay alive,” Cohn says, adding that until last spring, the bar would offer cocktails for delivery and takeout before serving guests in-person. Brown tells us that since opening its doors for good, No Land Beyond has built a loyal following, primarily by word of mouth. And this weekend, he and Cohn are hoping patrons will come out to celebrate the store’s grand (albeit late) opening.

For three days, starting April 1, the Old Goucher hangout will introduce its new abode with a jam-packed lineup of programming (highlights include a DJ set and dance party, live role play games, a cosplay drag performance, and a pop-up whiskey tasting by Catoctin Creek Distillery). In addition to a new spring cocktail menu with offerings named by customers (the “Mr. Macaroni” features ingredients like chocolate bitters, cynar, mezcal, sweet vermouth, and maraschino liqueur), the store will implement extended hours and now be open on Tuesdays. 

“Since mid January, it’s been really busy,” Cohn explains, adding that since opening in-person, No Land Beyond has thrived on weekly game nights. “We were like, ‘Alright. It’s time to add another day in and spread some of these events out.”

As the board game bar and gaming shop evolves in its new venue, he and Brown hope that a spirit of community grows with it. 

“One day, this nice older woman, who comes in all the time, was playing games with this guy in his late 20s, with these big, huge gauges. He looked like a punk. The difference in the way they looked was funny, but they’re pals now,” Cohn says, chuckling. “These two people who had never met each other get together and play games now almost weekly. It’s unbelievable.”

Brown echoes this, adding that amid COVID-19, “It was heartbreaking to be in this space that was built for bringing communities together. To contrast that with the feeling of it being full and people having a great time, that’s why we’re doing this.”

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“Baltimore to some extent is in the blood of the family,” says one of the companies co-founders Neil Blumenthal, referring to other co-founder Jeff Raider, a Johns Hopkins alum. “The city has such a rich literary history and Warby Parker actually comes from two early Jack Kerouac characters—Warby Pepper and Zagg Parker. The brand stands for fun, creativity, and doing good in the world and we always felt that writers best represent that.”

The store even pays homage to our very own macabre writer with their cutting edge “point of everything” system, also known as POE. The application will run off of iPad minis that will be located in the store and are connected to the company’s backend, making it easy to access customer records, order history, and prescriptions. For indecisive shoppers, POE will also allow you to bookmark images of yourself in frames you like to show to friends and family, and will immediately send you a formatted email with an add to cart button so you can finish the transaction at home.

The Harbor East store has a traditional university library feel with the walls lined with classic book shelving containing the designer frames, as well as a reference desk where you can receive customer assistance. To keep up with the literary theme, the store also has books by independent publishers for sale and a cushy seating area to sit back and relax while browsing.

The store will host a grand opening party on April 30 with treats and coffee from Woodberry Kitchen and an exclusive pair of sunglasses only available at this location.

“The inspiration was Baltimore being a city with a harbor and we thought the crystal frame really fit in with that world and the blue mirrored lens matched that with a nautical nod,” says Blumenthal. “It allows us to create something special for the community we are joining.”

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The gift shop, which was previously located in Belvedere Square, is known for its assortment of stationery (including Page Stationery, Dabney Lee, and Kate Spade just to name a few).

The
boutique specializes in custom-made invitations for weddings, Bar and
Bat Mitzvahs, and other special occasions. Customers can also take
advantage of in-store printing services for smaller orders.

In
addition to its signature stationery collection, Simply Noted carries a
wide variety of gifts, including many personalized items by well-known
brands such as Jonathan Adler, Kate Spade, and Toss Designs, along with local lines like Gilah Press and Maggie Stewart Design.

Don’t
miss the store’s grand opening on Friday, February 28th and Saturday,
March 1st—come celebrate with exclusive offers and champagne!

Where: Ruxton Station, Second Floor (1515 Labelle Ave.)

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