New Restaurants, Closed Shops Among 2024 Business Turnover In Downtown Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, MD — There was plenty of business turnover in downtown Annapolis in 2024. Here’s a look at some of the biggest comings and goings.
The most prolific change was the October closure of Pusser’s Caribbean Grille, which was sold to two employees who are moving the waterfront pub to Baltimore this spring. Atlas Restaurant Group will fill the Pusser’s vacancy on Compromise Street with an upscale Italian chophouse named Marmo and a Mexican cantina called Armada in summer 2025.
Atlas recently took over the historic Stevens Hardware building, which housed Mission BBQ until it closed this January. Plans for that Dock Street property haven’t been announced.
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Related: ‘Iconic’ Dock Bar Sold To 2 Employees, New Owners Have Big Plans For MD Move
Investor cash is flowing elsewhere in Annapolis as well.
Find out what's happening in Annapolisfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The building housing Nano Asian Dining, Castlebay Irish Pub, Red Red Wine Bar and Dry 85 was sold for a Main Street record $7 million, a press release said this month. The restaurants all remain open.
Days earlier, the three-story 167 Main St. property was sold for $1.75 million. The Leader, the building’s first-floor shop, closed and the owner retired at the time of the sale. Realtors are searching for a replacement retail tenant. Steps away, Shades of the Bay’s owner also retired this month, finishing her 28-year run selling sunglasses on Main Street.
The owners of Annapolis Bridal & Tuxedo are retiring too, closing their shop last week after 39 years in West Annapolis. Just across Annapolis Street, Tara’s Gifts announced its closure in September.
It wasn’t all closures in West Annapolis. Chessie’s Wharf, a taproom by Cambridge-based RaR Brewing, opened on Melvin Avenue in January. Along with its local beer, the fish market-themed bar and grill is known for its animatronic singing fish.
Maryland Avenue also saw some turnover. Local by Design relocated its downtown artisan shop to a new storefront at 41 Maryland Ave. in February. A few doors down, the Bloom Luxury Box florist debuted in March while environmental nonprofit Annapolis Green closed this month.
Back on Main Street, the TropQ Pizza building is up for lease, while Capo Deli is filling the vacancy left by the January closure of Jimmy John’s. Vitola 121, a cigar shop that opened in spring 2021, is now closed. Patch first saw the closed Main Street business in October.
Over on Market Space, Pearl Restaurant and Ponche Tiki Bar replaced 1771 G&T this March.
Blowfish Poké Hawaiian Grill will soon replace Moe’s Southwest Grill, which struggled with repairs after Dock Street businesses flooded in January.
West Street saw the November openings of the Seasalt restaurant, replacing Fadó Irish Pub, and Annapolis Pearl Gallery, replacing Wine & Design.
Sullivan Surgery & Spa held the grand opening for its Main Street location last month. The spa replaced Danish children’s clothier Wheat, which moved directly across the road.
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