Italianate and Federal-style rowhomes constructed decades before and after the Civil War largely define this historic Southwest Baltimore neighborhood’s residential fabric. Large, gracefully restored three-story dwellings line Union Square Park and surrounding streets, while blocks of smaller rowhomes—erstwhile workforce housing for the railroad and factories—emanate in all directions. Neighbors boast of their community’s sense of safety, racial and cultural diversity, and easy access to downtown and highways.

Shop: Hollins Market’s new grocery stall fills a gap for fresh produce and household staples within walking distance, or you can go fill up a shopping cart at Jumbo Fresh Supermarket at Mount Clare Junction. A one-of-one stop for fashionable streetwear is City of Gods in Hollins Market, a fixture since 2009.

Dine: Hollins Market, just a few blocks east, is Southwest Baltimore’s foodie hub with staples including Neopol Smokery, French- inspired Rooted Rotisserie, Zella’s Pizzeria, and the Back Yard across from the B&O Railroad Museum. The market building itself is getting a makeover, with new food stalls forthcoming. Other choices include Jamaican (HeyDaddy’s), seafood (Sea Pride Crab House), and assorted pizza and chicken carryouts dotting West Baltimore and Pratt streets.

Play: The 2.5-acre Union Square Park features its signature Greek Revival Pavilion and fountain at center, built atop a natural spring in the 1840s and ’50s. The park is a regular gathering space for residents (dogs included) and serves as the community’s nucleus. Other play spaces nearby include Vincent Street Park (basketball court, playground) and 117-acre Carroll Park with its nine-hole golf course, skatepark, ballfields, and more.

Arts & Culture: Union Square’s annual holiday cookie tour draws visitors into the homes of proud residents every December (not to mention a new Christmas market, added to the mix just last year). The park often hosts concerts, including weekly jazz and the monthly Sunday Sounds in the Park series from April through October. Historical attractions include, among others, celebrated journalist H.L. Mencken’s house and museum on Hollins Street and the B&O Railroad Museum.

Neighbor Spotlight 

Debra Rahl, 70, and her husband, Francis, have lived in their Union Square rowhome for 45 years. Rahl was a founding member of Union Square’s famous cookie tours.

“My husband and I were looking to buy a house in the city back in 1979. We used to just drive around, and one night we happened to drive by Union Square and we thought, ‘Well, this is pretty, what park is this?’ Our real estate agent suggested we come look at this house on Stricker Street across from the park. We came over and fell in love with it.

“It’s a really diverse community age-wise, and everyone is included in events around the neighborhood. If our neighbors see my husband and me doing something stupid, like trying to carry something heavy into the house, they’re right there to help us.

“Same way with shoveling the snow. When we first moved in, we shoveled the snow for our elderly neighbors. Now when I look out the window, I see someone shoveling snow and I just tell my husband, ‘Step back, we’re the old people now.’ Everyone looks out for each other.”

Neighborhood Stats
Population: 1,011 Occupancy Rate: 75 percent Owner/Renter Split: 37 percent/63 percent Median Home Price: $244,950 Estimated Monthly Mortgage: $2,117 Estimated Rent: $1,081 Walk Score: 86 Bike Score: 57 Transit Score: 77

—Sources: Baltimore City Department of Planning; Live Baltimore 

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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.