Remington August 2018

Women of Property.  Gaia 2017.

Murals

Gaia has been busy around Remington finishing three murals which, supposedly, depict the distinct auras of the three communities that comprise the neighborhood.  If you read my book, you will know which communities I'm talking about.  The first mural appeared in Greater Remington on 26th Street in Fall 2017 entitled "Women of Property", which makes no sense because one of the women was Section 8 and didn't own her property.  She no longer lives in Remington.  However, she still visits so frequently it's like she never left.

Twenty-sixth Street doesn't have a high volume of traffic, so it's not likely to elicit much commentary.

The second mural appears in the Stony Run area on Remington Avenue at Wyman Park Drive.  It depicts the large alley cat that the block adopted.  I haven't seen it since the mural was painted; it probably got scared.  Other Stony Run fauna are shown.  The most commentary I've heard was questioning the inclusion of the heron (which I mistook for an egret) as no one seems to have seen one in the Park.  I saw one in the Jones Falls a couple years ago, so I'm sure they are hiding somewhere.

The third and last Gaia mural got me some screed on Facebook, just because I questioned the choice of locale.  The gorgeous painting, in Little Little Italy, shows the influence of Italian immigration to the area.  Unfortunately, it is on the side of a bar where there is trash collection.  I thought it rather appropriate in a black humor sort of way, so I posted it in the local FB group, and boy did that generate some unnecessary commentary.

Anyway, thanks to Gaia for putting the aRt in Remington.

New 'Big Jump' Bike Lane and Remington

August 27, 2018.  Sunday, August 26, a date that will live in infamy for Remington drivers.  On that day, city leaders inaugurated a new bike lane that they hope will improve accessibility for residents in Reservoir Hill and Remington. Called the BigJump, the bike lane eliminates one lane of southbound traffic on Sisson Street. It’s part of a nationwide initiative called the Big Jump Project, sponsored by the group PeopleForBikes. Baltimore was one of 10 cities selected nationwide.

It will be a yearlong pilot program, said German Vigil, a spokesman for of the city’s transportation department, during which his office will seek feedback from pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to find ways to improve it. So far, Vigil said, the lane has been popular with pedestrians, though he acknowledged that there had been some complaints from drivers who objected to the removal of a lane of traffic.  Everyone I know who owns a car in Remington curses the lane every time they have to drive past.  As a pedestrian, I love it. I can now cross 28th Street without fear of impending death from loco drivers.

What motorists don't understand is why some of us choose not to drive.  The reasons are many and varied, but check this out:  A 66-year-old wheelchair-bound woman who lives in Reservoir Hill used the path to go to the Burger King on Sisson Street (she bought a bacon cheeseburger).  So there, the bike lane is contributing to local economy.  Bike on!

Source: ctkacik@baltsun.com

Remington July 2018

From Wyman Park Drive Bridge 2018

Stony Run Restoration



July 20, 2018.  After weeks of boulders being excreted loudly from a plethora of dump trucks, the restoration of Stony Run has, thankfully, moved farther downstream.  There was coverage of the event by CBS Local News, and I got a pic from Wyman Park Drive bridge.  It looks nice!

Remington Avenue & 33rd Street 2018

However, in keeping with the standards of local politics, we also got a set of rules governing the use of the park.  Sigh.  The sign is placed on the north side of Remington Avenue Bridge with the Rules & Regulations facing 33rd Street.  There's a map of the area on the reverse side that, supposedly, shows the layout of the Stony Run.  You have to get up close and personal to read the fine print.

The Stony Run Trail

The Dizz Hit with Health Code Violation

July 20, 2018.  The Baltimore City Health Department closed The Dizz this week because of health code violations.

Department records cite improper and insufficient “cold hold,” which means bad refrigeration, as well as improper and insufficient handwashing.

On Tuesday, July 19, the bar posted a message on its Facebook page citing mechanical failures: “The Dizz is closed due to unexpected mechanical failures in our kitchen. Repairs are underway and we will reopen as soon as possible. Please stay tuned for updates about our reopening date.”

The bar has been closed since July 18. Elayne had no comment.

Parts and Labor Closes

July 31, 2018.  Another one bites the dust. Spike Gjerde announced the end of his Remington operation and will close the restaurant after dinner service on August 8, 2018.  A temporary pop-up bar will be there for the next 60 days, serving food and drink from 4pm-10pm, Wednesday through Saturday.  I mourn the loss of the butcher shop where I could find beef tongue, sweetbreads, and blood sausages.  Spike gave it a good run (4 years), but he obviously did not understand Remington demographics.  If they accepted EBT, the shop would have been teeming.

Photo by Author 2014

The restaurant started out with lofty ideas as demonstrated by its "hearth to table" menu. The fare focused on ala carte items, including different cuts of steak, pork chops and, my faves, 20 different kinds of sausage.  They offered "cured meat boards" where customers could select their own ham, terrine, or sausages.  Alas, poor Spike's bubbled burst when he realized that blue-collared Remington could not support his efforts.  The menu was eventually revamped from steak to burgers; charcuterie to soup; and prices from $20-$30 dropping to $8-$14.  They even changed the decor, replacing the huge replica of the Ft. McHenry.  Good effort, but remember location, location, location.

Remington June 2018

Sterling's 2013

The Rise and Fall of Blacksauce Kitchen

Things are moving so fast around here! Good thing I wrote down what used to be where.  I can't believe I actually miss Sterling's.

Blacksauce Kitchen moved into the old Sterling's Seafood space in Remington that was sold at auction in early July 2015.  Sterling's owners/managers, Steve and Dorothy Goff, bought the business from Jack Norris (you know, the 3 Miles owner) and had tried for 11 years to keep up Sterling's tradition, but it lacked the quality and quantity that the former owner had established.  The recession furthered its demise.

Mosley and Lugo at Waverly Farmer's Market 2015

Pre-opening  December 2016

Blacksauce Kitchen owners Damian Mosley and Vesnier Lugo, who are famous for dishing out unique biscuit sandwiches at the Waverly Farmers' Market, decided they needed a brick-and-mortar shop for their product and catering business.  The buildings were bought by Lighthouse Point Advisors, LLC (whoever they are), and leased to Blacksauce Kitchen.  The caterers worked on setting up shop and opened their take-out service in January 2017, with a plan on opening a restaurant.
The service was only open on Thursdays from 11am - 8pm and the menu offered more than the signature market sandwiches. Their prices, however, were not geared toward the established Remington residents.  I tried to like it for a couple weeks, but, meh.   Lines were out the door, however, so they had some clientele.

Blacksauce was still catering and doing the markets.  Their 29th street shop was used mostly for prepping for that side of the business.  On March 9, the storefront caught fire, severely damaging the building.

The Fire Department first responded to a call shortly after midnight  The fire reignited several hours later, and the engines had to return at 4:13 a.m.

Initially, Mosely and Lugo thought the shop would be closed for several weeks, but, according to the caterers' social media pages, they permanently closed the store.

Remington Developments

Wow!  I still have a blog.  Finally getting the writer's block off my back, so everything I want to publish that will never make it into a book I will release here just to get it out of my brain.

The Remington book I wrote quickly and as an encouragement for real local historians to publish a more extensive and in-depth history of the 'hood.  It's been 4 years and a plethora of new developments, but that book is of yet the go-to resource for the neighborhood newbies.  Wahoo for me.  And sorry for those few errata; yes, Pittsburgh has an"h"; Keen Memorial was Methodist, not Baptist; and Ross Hettrick was an important part of RNA (but he's now residing in Pennsylvania, so not as important as he thinks he is).  I will strive to update this blog with new research on the history of our great neighborhood.

So what has happened since my last post?  Four years of overwhelming development, that's what. Brief overview, starting with "Greater Remington" (which I usually refer to as  $eawall World):

2700 Remington Avenue replaced the old Baltimore glass and adjoining lots: 

This was then

This is now.


I like "now" better.  And Baltimore Glass did get a new home:

The Dizz is still there, along with the past management.  They seem to keep BGE in business and provide a haven for the JHU crowd.

Long Johns Pub was bought by the owners of Swallow at the Hollow.  When East meets West in the City, troubles abound.  However, Aaron has proven himself up to the task, at least from what fotos I could capture.  

I am so far behind,  but I will catch up with more developments, including the rise and demise of Blacksauce Kitchen (formerly housing Sterling's Seafood) and the expansion of Clavel in Little Little Italy.  There's another book here, but, like I said, it's a task for other historians!