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.”

COMING SOON

Union Collective: Locals have been patiently awaiting the arrival of Union Craft Brewing’s communal makerspace since it was announced last spring. The 138,000-square-foot Medfield warehouse will not only be home to eight small businesses including The Charmery and The Baltimore Whiskey Company, but it will also house Union’s brand new taproom, event space, and production facility. Though brewing isn’t expected to begin until the spring of 2018, earlier this week Union released renderings that give locals a sneak peek at what the space is going to look like. The plans by Ziger/Snead Architects depict a spacious taproom complete with interior greenery and glass windows overlooking the brewery. Also of note is the outdoor beer garden, which boasts a performance space for live music and strung lights overhead. 1700 W. 41st St.

Gordon Ramsay Steak: Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is preparing to debut this new steakhouse inside Horseshoe Casino next Wednesday, November 29. The restaurant, which will take over the space that formerly housed Jack Binion’s on the first floor, will mark Ramsay’s first East Coast concept and feature an array of dry-aged beef and seafood dishes that serve as nods to his British roots. The chef joins other television personalities Guy Fieri and Giada De Laurentiis, who are also tied to the casino’s dining scene. 1525 Russell St., 443-931-4386

CH-CH CHANGES

Lee’s Pint & Shell: At a grand opening party last week, this rebranded Canton hangout (formerly Saute) debuted a state-of-the-art second story. Opening just in time for peak football season, the new space is equipped with 13 big screens, glass garage-style doors, a 38-foot bar with individual charging ports, and its own raw bar and oyster station. 2844 Hudson St., 410-327-2883

Riptide by the Bay: This Fells Point seafood stalwart is headed to auction next month. Husband-and-wife owners Roger and Meredith Rippel recently told The Sun that they are selling their 10-year-old restaurant to focus on raising their children. The duo hopes that the new owners will keep their current staff, and say that they are open to sharing some of Riptide’s signature recipes. The on-site auction will occur on December 14 at 11 a.m., with a starting bid of $750,000. 1718 Thames St., 410-732-3474

EPICUREAN EVENTS

11/29: Traditional Basque Cider Dinner
Inspired by a recent trip to the Sagardotegis region of Basque Country, the team behind La Cuchara in Clipper Mill is recreating a traditional dinner with special cider pairings. The menu will highlight dishes including wood-grilled wild mushrooms, whole grilled rockfish with a burnt garlic vinaigrette, bone-in ribeye, and cider-poached pears. La Cuchara, 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Ste. 125, 6-8:30 p.m., $79, 443-708-3838.

12/10: St. Jude’s Benefit Dinner with Chef Chad Gauss

Chef Chad Gauss of The Food Market in Hampden—who recently released his own cookbook—is teaming up with Pottery Barn at Towson Town Center for this fundraising feast. Diners will enjoy pre-dinner shopping and cocktails, followed by a three-course meal prepared by Gauss. Fifty percent of all the event’s proceeds will be donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Pottery Barn, 825 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, 7-10 p.m., $150.

SHUT

Center Cut Doughnuts: The revolving donut door at 3528 Chestnut Avenue in Hampden has spun around yet again. Sugar fiends probably remember farmers’ market-favorite Center Cut Doughnuts taking over the shop from B. Doughnut last year. And now, Center Cut owner Josh Kowitz is passing the torch to local baker Courtney Fix, who will open her donut shop Full Circle in the space next month. “We have decided to move on to other opportunities that will be better for our family,” Kowitz posted to Facebook earlier this week. “These words cannot convey the amount of appreciation we have for every single customer we’ve ever served.” Center Cut’s last day of service will be Sunday, November 26. The shop was best known for its fun flavors (favorites included brown butter, s’mores, and the pink-glazed “Homer” with rainbow sprinkles) and walls boasting local art. 3528 Chestnut Ave., 667-303-3604.