“The idea from the start was to do a little diner, which then turned into a diner with a big bar, and then turned into a big diner,” Gjerde says. “Somewhere along the way, we lost track of what Shoo-Fly was meant to be—a small place to find the best steak and eggs and coffee around.”

Gjerde says that although “Shoo-Fly as we know it” will serve its last meals tomorrow night, he and his partners are brainstorming ideas to keep the concept alive, which may mean relocating the restaurant to another building in Belvedere Square.

The chef also notes the eatery sharing its space with
Canning Kitchen, a production house for Gjerde’s household Woodberry Pantry products, as a reason behind the decision to re-evaluate.

“So much processing eventually took over what was going on in the kitchen,” he says.

While the fate of the diner remains up in the air, production of locally sourced jams, jellies, and pickled vegetables to be sold at Gjerde’s other restaurants Woodberry Kitchen, Artifact Coffee, and Parts & Labor will continue at Canning Kitchen.

Looking back at the diner’s run, Gjerde says some of his fondest memories include serving up its signature “Scrappledelphia” sandwiches (scrapple, apples, griddled onion, and melted cheddar on rye toast), throwing Shoo-Fly a half-birthday bash, and hosting a pop-up with Erik Bruner-Yang of
Maketto in D.C.

Gjerde is content with saying
goodbye to this chapter of Shoo-Fly.

“At its core this was a serious attempt to do sourcing an entirely different way and that just wasn’t talked about enough,” he says. “Shoo-Fly was amazing, but the fact that we’re taking some time to think about it isn’t the greatest tragedy.”

Diners are invited to join Gjerde for a
closing party on Shoo-Fly’s patio on May 21 at 9 p.m, complete with signature eats from all of his restaurants, and plenty of boozy slushies to go around.

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NEW

Huck’s American Craft
Charlie Gjerde and his wife, Lori, are teaming up to open a neighborhood bar in Brewer’s Hill. In addition to regional craft brews and local favorite Natty Boh on tap, Huck’s menu will feature “American classics” such as burgers and fries, plus a chance for your taste buds to travel down the coast, from Maine (lobster dip) to Miami (Cuban sandwiches). Gjerde is also the owner of Alexander’s Tavern and Papi’s Tacos in Fells Point, not to mention the brother of James Beard Award-winning chef Spike Gjerde. The bar at Huck’s is scheduled to open in early June, with food to follow. 3728 Hudson St.

EXPANSIONS

Maiwand Grill
Owner Ehsan Rafiq’s second location of Maiwand Grill has only been open a few months and has already become a hit in Baltimore. Maiwand’s menu includes many traditional Afghan dishes such as tandoori shrimp, and lamb, beef, or chicken kabobs. A roster of well-priced daily specials for $8.99 are easy on the wallet. Beat the Monday blues with Maiwand’s lamb curry, or celebrate hump day with their savory chicken jalfarezi.
324 W. Baltimore St., 410-685-0208

Alchemy Elements
Husband-and-wife owners Debi Bell and Michael Matassa are expanding their Hampden restaurant,
Alchemy to Harford County. Alchemy Elements is set to open on September 1 in Bel Air. Like the original spot, the new place will feature modern American fare, and will also offer additional seating, an outdoor dining area and full bar, as well as an expanded menu with more casual and family friendly options. Fingers crossed that the crab mac and cheese and the pecan-crusted lamb chops will stay on the menu. Bel Air Town Center.

CHEF CHANGE

13.5% Wine Bar

Last month, chef Cyrus Keefer, formerly of
Fork & Wrench, joined 13.5% Wine Bar. Keefer was brought on as a Chef Partner and is revamping the new, eclectic menu. Dishes like butter poached lobster pierogies and escargot French bread pizza challenge the norm of the typical wine bar menu. Keefer tells us that the plates on the menu are ingredient based and will depend on what’s in season. 1117 W. 36th St., 410-889-1064

CLOSING

Shoo-Fly Diner
This summer we’ll be bidding farewell to
Spike Gjerde‘s Shoo-Fly Diner. The family friendly diner, open since 2013, has never quite found its footing. No word yet on what might go into the vacant space, though the James Beard Award winner’s Foodshed restaurant company might come up with another concept for the space. There’s also a chance that Shoo-Fly might relocate to the nearby Belvedere Square Market building.

RETAIL NEWS

Seasons
New York-based kosher market Seasons is making its way to Pikesville. Seasons is a full-service grocery store with dedicated butcher, seafood departments, and imported products from Israel, in addition to delivery and catering. If their website is to be believed, Seasons boast, “baked goods like your mother wished she made.” The store is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

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