inPLACE founder Dustin Watson moderated a panel discussion at Bisnow’s – Baltimore’s Restaurant & Retail Summit today. The panel included Brad Shapiro from Jabber Five, Chris Bell from Hekemian & Co., Scott Slosson from 28 Walker Development, Mallory Staley Co-owner of The Elephant and Sascha’s, and Stu Jones founder of Urban Axes. The discussion was wide ranging and hit many topics related to the retail and restaurant market in Baltimore.
There has been a lot of discussions about retail dying in the media. The panelists certainly feel retail is not dead, but it is changing. Retail and restaurants are becoming more experiential. More people are buying their goods online but still need that place to connect with other people. They also want those experiences to be authentic. Generic experiences and national chains aren’t providing Baltimore the unique local connection that today’s consumer is looking for. Baltimore has a strong history of supporting local businesses that create deeper connections with their customers.
“Baltimore is a city of neighborhoods and communities with great local retail and restaurants…”
Even though Baltimore’s population has decreased in the last few years the panelist are very optimistic about the retail and restaurant scene. It has a strong demographic and is close to other cities that have a much higher cost of living, drawing the young millennial professionals that provide a robust interaction with urban retail.
New concepts are popping up around the city such as smaller specialized health clubs, ghost kitchens, and experiential venues such as Urban Axes. Even though there has been dynamic growth in Baltimore, the panelist pointed out that inclusivity and the perception of crime were issues that Baltimore needs to work on to entice more development and investment in the city. The panels’ conclusion was that Baltimore has much to offer beyond its great seafood and beautiful waterfront.
inPLACE Design is an architecture, planning, and design firm with the experience and capabilities to create extraordinary, engaging, and inspiring placemaking in cities, towns and suburbs both nationally and internationally. We are dedicated to design excellence and innovative design strategies that are environmentally responsible and sustainable.
