November 2, 2018. The Ottobar will have new owners, the club announced in a Facebook post. A new ownership group will take over in 2019. According to the listing agent for the property, the owners are looking for a buyer who will keep the same venue. The Ottobar website posted shows booked as far out as March 15, 2019. It’s not clear what will happen to the club beyond that.
The business is not yet under contract at this time and the current owners will continue to operate and run The Ottobar as normal until a buyer is found who will carry on the tradition. It's being listed for sale for the asking price of $1.25 million. Properties along the block at 2547, 2551 and 2553 N. Howard Street are listed as part of the sale, but the option to buy 2549–the address of the club–in a separate sale was offered.
The current owners thanked the musicians, fans, staff, and neighbors in Charles Village, Old Goucher, and Remington.
Sources: Baltimore Fishbowl
Sources: Baltimore Fishbowl
Remington Storefront Challenge
November 21, 2018. The Greater Remington Improvement Association is looking for two entrepreneurs to fill recently vacated storefronts. In a "shark-tank style" citywide competition, "entrepreneurs and innovators who have a really great idea for a business, whether it's one they've already started or one they want to get off the ground, [it's] an opportunity to take it to the next level," said David Goldman, a representative of the Remington Storefront Challenge.
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| Circa 2013 |
Goldman also stated that the ideal business would be "new and creative" and something Remington hasn't seen before. So that means practically everything, except an auto repair shop.
While rent is paid for, operating costs are not. The winner will have to pay for services like heat and electricity.
Neighborhood groups like GRIA usually meet with new business owners before they open, but GRIA is taking community input a step further. The ten finalists will pitch to a panel made up of Remington residents and business owners, giving them a direct say in choosing the winners.
The competition is sponsored by the Greater Remington Improvement Association, Johns Hopkins University (of course), and Seawall Development (our heroes). Other partners involved in the project include Central Baltimore Partnership, Howard Bank and Younts Design.
If you are thinking about competing, sources say to consider how your concept will increase foot traffic and interact with the other businesses in the area. Entry deadline is February 1, 2019.
Sources: WBAL interview with David Goldman; technical.ly (website); https://www.rscbaltimore.com/
