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EAT

June 27: SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine Indoor Reopening and Customer Appreciation Day

Cross Street Market. 1065 S Charles St. 4-8 p.m.

As Cross Street Market in Federal Hill reopens its doors with social distancing measures, veteran vendor SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine is saying thank you to customers for sticking by them throughout the pandemic. Husband-and-wife owners Leo and Chanel Fleurimond are offering 10 percent-off of all orders this Saturday from 4-8 p.m. Go and get your fill of authentic Haitian recipes such as pineapple-glazed vegetables, marinated chicken, smoked turkey sausage, and fried whole red snapper, and then wash it all down with a signature island cocktail mixed with fresh juice. Customers are encouraged to place orders in advance via email.

DRINK

June 26-28: Urban Axes Reopening

1 North Haven St. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

As if axe-throwing isn’t fun enough, Urban Axes in Highlandtown allows you to fine-tune your bullseye skills while enjoying a cold one. As of this weekend, the neighborhood watering hole and sports venue is back open for business at 25-percent capacity. Head to the Urban Axes website to book open throwing, league practice, and small group sessions, and kick the weekend off with some friendly competition while downing your choice of canned wine, beer, or hard cider from the bar.

SEE

June 27: Baltimore Drag Awards

Zoom. 8-11 p.m.

Although most Charm City theaters remained closed due to COVID-19, Creative Alliance knows the show must go on(line). This year’s Baltimore Drag Awards will take place over Zoom, but the streaming show will still bring the party with special guest performances and a virtual cocktail hour. Join hosts Brooklyn Heights and Betty O’Hellno in celebrating the wide range of talented performers within the local drag scene. The theme for this year’s event—known as the drag equivalent of the Academy Awards—is florals, so be sure to break out the spring/summer attire.

HEAR

June 28: Sunday Sounds in the Park with Quinton Randall

Union Square. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free.

Break out your lawn chairs and head to Southwest Baltimore this weekend to hear acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Quinton Randall kick off this summer concert series at Union Square Park—an ideal social-distancing spot that spans two-and-a-half acres. Neighbors are invited to bring their favorite picnic snacks and beverages of choice to enjoy while listening to the rockstar sounds of Mr. Baltimore Blues himself. The Sunday-afternoon series will continue all summer long and feature some of Charm City’s best artists.

DO

June 27: Maryland Zoo Reopening

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. 1 Safari Place. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

After months of being temporarily closed, the Maryland Zoo is finally ready to reopen its gates to the public—and, yes, the animals have missed you just as much as you’ve missed them. The zoo staff is prepared to keep patrons safe with timed entry reservations and one-way traffic pathways. Grab the little ones and travel to Safari Place to spend your weekend visiting your favorite furry friends.

When Julie Lilienfeld looked around her vintage and consignment store, Wishbone Reserve, on Sunday, she could tell that something was off. The streets outside the Hampden shop were empty, there was plenty of parking on Falls Road, and the number of customers browsing through the store’s antique wares had dropped significantly since the day prior.

That was when Lilienfeld and co-owners Athena Hoffberger and Ryan Haase realized that they needed to prepare for their business to take a financial hit as the coronavirus and its effects continue to impact Baltimore communities.

“This is the kind of experience that you see documentaries about, but you don’t think will actually happen during your lifetime,” Lilienfeld says.

As the city braces for the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, small business owners are concerned about how directives for limiting exposure to the virus—including “social distancing,” public-school closures, and event cancellations—will hurt their bottom lines and, ultimately, the lifespan of their business. On Friday, Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young sent a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan asking him to make federal funds available to Baltimore-based small businesses through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

Due to the Center for Disease Control’s recommendation that people avoid crowds or large gatherings as much as possible, Pamela Hubbard, the co-owner of Lobo, says that her Fells Point corner bar has experienced a significant decline in business throughout the past two weeks. While Hubbard says the restaurant staff has always taken sanitation precautions, such as regular hand washing and wearing gloves, she’s worried about how Lobo can financially sustain a weeks or months-long slowdown in table turnover.

“You can prepare for a refrigerator to break or having to pay someone to fix your plumbing, but the cost of a pandemic is not something you have funds set aside for,” Hubbard says.

While Gov. Larry Hogan’s latest statements only cancelled public gatherings of more than 250 people, many business owners, like Daven Ralston of Charm City Books, made the decision to adjust their event schedules for the safety of themselves and their customers.

“We host tons of events each month, so it’s concerning to think about what that will do to sales heading into the spring,” says Ralston, who opened the Pigtown bookstore in November. “It’s a scary precipice to be balancing.”

A number of local shops and service providers have communicated directly with consumers about the additional measures they’re taking to keep their still-open storefronts clean and safe. On Thursday, Letta Moore, the owner of KSM Candle Co., sent out a message to her email subscribers to notify them about temporary changes to her in-house workshops, such as switching from glass stemware to disposable cups.

“If small businesses are explaining to their customers what they’re doing to combat the virus, take heed and have a little trust in them,” Moore says. “We’re boosting our efforts and it’s not cheap for us either, so I hope people consider continuing to go out and supporting the businesses when possible. Don’t give up on us.”

To combat the decrease in foot traffic and loss of revenue associated with in-house events, local purveyors are finding new ways to meet customers where they are. Several retailers, such as Brightside Boutique and Six2Six Society, are offering free or discounted shipping for online orders, while others, like Wishbone Reserve, are posting their merchandise to Instagram so buyers can shop virtually. Ralston says that she and Joseph Carlson, Charm City Books’ programming and outreach director, will deliver books and puzzles via their tandem bicycle to area customers for free.

Chanel Fleurimond, who runs Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine with her husband, Leo, says that while they don’t usually fill many delivery orders from their food stall in Cross Street Market, they plan to ramp up their efforts if business to the communal eatery remains stagnant. Fleurimond says that if people don’t want to risk visiting the Federal Hill food hall, getting Sobeachy’s traditional Haitian dishes delivered to their home is a great way to continue supporting the local venture.

Hubbard adds that purchasing a gift certificate to a local bar, restaurant, or coffee shop to be used at a later date can help boost cash flow to businesses during this slow economic period.

“[Lobo is] turning six years old this summer and we were looking forward to planning our party, and now, so quickly, a wrench got thrown into that,” Hubbard says. “People need to be aware that your favorite places to go or eat in the city are already feeling the impact of this, and will continue to have to make hard decisions about their entire business because of it.”

In light of the extremely uncertain and ever-changing circumstances, members of the small-business community are also leaning on one another, as well as local customers, for support. On Thursday, the event technology service Pixilated and networking community Startup Soiree created an online forum for Baltimore-based business owners and employees to address COVID-19-related concerns, ranging from software tools to minimize the coronavirus’ impact to links to local resources.

“We talk so much about the importance of community to local bookstores, but it really is like a relationship and a family, especially in Pigtown,” Ralston says. “If another business is hurting, we have to reach out and support them in any way we can.”

Earlier this week, the Wishbone Reserve store leaders posted a message to their Instagram followers that led with the phrase, “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” While the English proverb is typically used to describe March weather, Lilienfeld says that, deep down, she wanted the line to send a message of positivity to the shop’s worried customers.

“I don’t want people to be sympathetic; that’s not really what we’re looking for. We want them to know that them coming into [Wishbone Reserve] has been paying all of our bills,” Lilienfeld says. “We want to be truthful with people and say that we’re scared, too.”

Bulgogi Bánh mì, al pastor tacos, or Baltimore’s biggest jaw breaker? Can’t make up your mind? We’re here to guide you through all the decisions that need to be made at the newly revitalized Cross Street Market. You’re up next, Lexington.

What’s the history of Cross Street Market?
Thanks to the growing population of Federal Hill in 1838, residents petitioned for a new market. At the time, the closest market was the now-defunct Hanover Market. In 1846, a long open-air shed was built between Charles and Patapsco Streets, where vendors sold meat and poultry, seafood, and vegetables. By 1871, the market was rebuilt as a two-story Revival-style building, with the market space on the first floor and a meeting hall (with a basketball court!) on the second floor. After a fire in 1951, the structure was rebuilt as the 31,800-square-foot structure that still stands today.

What’s the story behind the sign outside?
The cool, retro neon sign outside of the market on Charles Street is a modern riff on the original neon signage that was part of the market after it was rebuilt in the 1950s.

Who’s the oldest tenant?
There are three tenants who have occupied the space for decades, including The Sweet Shoppe and Steve’s Lunch, but Fenwick’s Choice Meats, founded in 1952, has been there the longest.

Where should I go if I’m a vegetarian?
Cross Street Market has numerous vendors with vegetarian-and vegan-friendly fare, including Annoula’s Kitchen and Sobeachy Haitian cuisine. For diehards, Gangster Vegan features an exclusively vegan, organic, soy-free, gluten-free menu, including juices and smoothies, as well as salads and bowls. (Try the beet burger.) There’s also Annoula’s Kitchen with its artisan salads and sandwiches. What’s the difference between a food court and a food hall? A food court consists of chain restaurants and is often located in a mall. A food hall is typically a more upscale version of a food court, with artisan restaurants and other food-related vendors under one roof.

If I want something to-go, what do you suggest?

Most food is eaten better on-site, not so The Cross Street Grinder at Annoula’s Kitchen. Stuffed with ham, pepperoni, chicken, greens, hot peppers, and roasted garlic mayo, the sub roll improves with age and is best consumed an hour or so later, after all the fix-ins have had time to saturate the roll.

Is there alcohol for sale?

Yes! Cans Filling Station will, well, fill all of your imbibing needs. There’s a large selection of craft beers, wines, on-trend hard seltzers, kombuchas, and ciders. Drink it there or get it to-go in a reusable can (with a $2 per can refill credit). The market boasts many other spirits-serving vendors, too. Highlandtown’s Old Line Spirits recently debuted its satellite cocktail bar, where you can sip local beer and wine, as well as classic cocktails using the distillery’s acclaimed whiskeys and rums.

Where can I go if I just want to hang out on my laptop?

Ceremony Coffee Roasters has two other locations in the city, but this locale has tons of sofa seating, and you can always pick up something from the food hall if you plan on parking yourself there all day.

Noticeable changes have taken shape since Caves Valley Partners began its revitalization of the 173-year-old Cross Street Market in Federal Hill last year. Most recently, retro signage that harkens back to the market’s original rebuild—after a fire destroyed it in 1951—went up around the exterior.

While the neon logos are a reminder of its storied history, the renovated interior will bring the market into the present with a diverse lineup that reflects the breadth of Baltimore’s current dining landscape.

“As a team, it was important for us to keep it Baltimore-centric,” says Nick Alevrogiannis of Cana Development, which handles leasing for Cross Street Market. “We wanted authentic and artisan, and we’re seeing a pretty big swing of that growing here.”

By keeping an eye out for unique concepts at local pop-ups and farmers’ markets, the firm was able to bring on vendors that span multiple different cultures and cuisines, many of which are minority and female-owned and operated.

According to the Project for Public Spaces, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping communities sustain public properties, public markets are a great entryway for chefs and restaurateurs—especially minorities, immigrants, and women—to grow their businesses.

“A lot of small businesses want to be able to grow, but the capital required and the vetting process from landlords to get your own brick-and-mortar is typically really expensive, and the liability is huge,” Alevrogiannis says. “But with a market, capital requirement is significantly less to get in, which promotes small businesses from the beginning.”

When it reopens this spring, a number of veterans that operated in the market pre-construction (think Fenwick’s Choice Meats, Steve’s Lunch, and The Sweet Shoppe) will be joined by a new class of budding businesses. There will be Baltimore spinoffs including Burger Bar from the team at Southside Diner in Riverside, Annoula’s Kitchen from the owners of Sobo Cafe across the street, Cans Filling Station from the operator of Taps Filling Station at Mount Vernon Marketplace, and a new Ceremony Coffee location.

But diners will also be able to expand their knowledge of global cuisine with Hawaiian grinds from Ono Poké, Mexican eats from Taco Love Grill, Southeast Asian dishes from Rice Crook, Vietnamese fare from Phubs, and authentic Haitian cuisine from Sobeachy—a JFX farmers’ market favorite founded by husband-and-wife duo Chanel and Leo Fleurimond.

“It’s really important to have all of those different flavors,” Chanel says. “When people think of Caribbean food, they automatically think of Jamaican food. So for us, it’s great that we now have an opportunity to be there alongside every other diverse, ethnic option and bring a different Caribbean island to Baltimore.”

The owners are looking forward to introducing diners to their eclectic blend of African and French flavors, which is showcased in stewed meats, chicken wings, stuffed plantain cups, “Cod Yatti” sandwiches (deep-fried cod on a cocoa bread bun with mango sauce), and “Pati Kode,” a veggie or meat-filled turnover similar to a fried empanada. Sobeachy will also be able to serve its fresh juices and alcoholic Island drinks in its new stall.

Other new vendors are excited about the move, even if they’ve been around for a while. Take brothers Chuong and Paul Nguyen, who established their Vietnamese soup and sub shop Phubs in Hanover five years ago, but are enthusiastic about the benefits of joining a communal market.

“Vietnamese food in general is getting more popular, but it’s still not super mainstream,” says Chuong. “With the market being so diverse, it requires people to come in with an open mind. Those are the type of customers we want.”

Phubs will continue to offer its signature banh-mi sandwiches and pho with all the fixins, but the owners are adding a few new twists that cater to the market’s clientele. Specifically, the eatery will offer its bone broth in coffee-sized cups for diners in need of a hangover cure or quick energy boost.

“We simmer the bones for 24 hours because that’s how our parents did it growing up,” says Chuong, a Columbia native. “We ate pho weekly, and always felt great the next day. But it’s really all about the broth and making it the right way. We didn’t want to get away from that.”

In addition to providing that authenticity, vendors agree that the market environment fosters a more personal relationship between makers and customers. In the future, organizers hope to strengthen the community focus by activating the space with more startups (a new wave will join the scene summer 2019) and launching an outdoor farmers’ market in April.

“To me, what sets a market apart from a food court is that it’s interactive and engaged,” Alevrogiannis says. “You have to tell that story. Just having good food and good service isn’t working anymore.”

NAME CH-CH CHANGES

Gnocchetto: After some confusion arose with a restaurant of a similar name in New York City, Gnocco in Highlandtown recently changed its name to Gnocchetto—which translates to “small dumpling” in Italian. “We think it will just be easier in the long run,” said general manager Sam White, in a statement. Despite the name change, the Mediterranean-inspired spot is sticking to its roots with worldly wines, antipasti, and a slew of locally sourced pastas that use milled rye and red wheat flour from Migrash Farms in Randallstown. In fact, chef Brian Lavin recently expanded the pasta offerings to include four options per evening. Be on the lookout for a new red beet tagliatelle with swiss chard or the Semolina trofie with arugula, basil pesto, pine nuts, and summer truffle. 3734 Fleet St., 443-449-6540

Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine: Festival-goers might be familiar with Green Grass Tall Trees, the Haitian-Caribbean purveyor that has served up its authentic eats at large-scale events including Light City, Artscape, and AFRAM. (It also routinely pops up at the Canton Waterfront, Fells Point, and Pratt Street farmers’ markets.) Recently, husband-and-wife owners Leo and Chanel Fleurimond changed the pop-up’s name to Sobeachy Haitian Cuisine to better reflect the vibe to their customers. “Everyone always confused us with a juice bar with wheat grass or a landscaping company,” Chanel says with a laugh. “We wanted to have a name that connects to exactly what we are.” Diners can catch Sobeachy at R. House throughout the weekend to sample signature dishes including smoked turkey sausage with sweet peppers, the “Taste of Haiti” plate with stewed chicken and plantains, and the customer-favorite “Endless Summer” refresher that combines pineapple, watermelon, lemonade, and tropical fruit juices. 301 W. 29th St.

NEWS

16 On The Park: Savor every last second of summer on the patio of this rooftop restaurant on the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus—which switched up its menu earlier this week. The new seasonal menu will be offered all day, and include a special list of late-night eats on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-11 p.m. New items to look out for include a seafood tower for two, a cobb salad with Old Bay ranch, and a house burger topped with cheddar and crispy tobacco onion. Pair all of the eats with new Charm City-inspired cocktails like the “Spirit of B More” (Maestro Dobel reposado, fruit rouge crush juice, and ancho reyes) or “A Little Crush in the Park,” a spin on a classic Orange Crush with house tangerine foam. 800 N. Wolfe St. 443-524-8450

EPICUREAN EVENTS

9/5-12: Chef Wolf’s Special Southern Menu at Charleston
Chef Cindy Wolf is celebrating the end of summer with a special Southern menu at Charleston in Harbor East. For one week only, diners are invited to feast on a prix-fixe menu highlighting buttermilk-marinated chicken, Gambian roasted eggplant and groundnut soup, Creole shrimp with andouille sausage, blackened red snapper, slow-cooked pork shoulder, and drunken peaches in a whiskey sorbet. Optional wine pairings will be available to help wash down all of the Lowcountry fare. 1000 Lancaster St. 410-332-7373. $94

9/12: Kitchen Table Series at Wit & Wisdom
This weekly series of intimate dinners is returning to Wit & Wisdom inside the Four Seasons Baltimore next week. The kickoff will have a family-style Italian theme and feature a menu executed by chef Randall Matthews. Snag a spot at the 12-seat table to indulge in white truffle arancini, wild mushroom polenta, hand-rolled spaghetti with crushed red pepper flakes, Mediterranean bass with San Marzano tomatoes, and chocolate and citrus cannolis. 200 International Drive. 6:30 p.m. 410-576-5800.

9/26: Sicilian Cooking Classes at Cosima
Throw on an apron and join chef Donna Crivello to learn about the flavors and cooking techniques inspired by her Sicilian heritage. The inaugural cooking class later this month will feature traditional Sicilian plates including seared scallops, saffron risotto, and limoncello ricotta cheesecake. The monthly series will continue with an Autumn Dinner in October, a small plates seminar in November, and a classic Feast of the Seven Fishes class to celebrate the holidays in December. Cosima, 3000 Falls Rd. 6:30 p.m. 443-708-7352, $85.

SHUT

The Fudgery: This weekend will be the last for Baltimoreans to hear the confectioners at The Fudgery sing while turning chocolate at Harborplace. After 33 years inside the Light Street Pavilion, the sweets shop will shutter its doors for good this Sunday, September 9. “Unfortunately, time changes things and there is not enough of our customer base to support a profitable operation,” The Fudgery founder and CEO A.C. Marshall said in a press release. Aside from its house-made fudge and colorful candy apples, The Fudgery will be remembered for being the shop that spawned homegrown R&B sensation Dru Hill—whose members practiced their songs while working there in the early ’90s. While Harborplace has seen many vendors close throughout its ongoing renovation process, new retailers including Build-A-Bear and Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls are planning to set up shop in the development in the coming weeks. 301 Light St.