Shopping in Beautiful Baltimore
In advance of the Spring Leadership Summit, the Queen of Retail, Faith Hope Consolo,
offers her insider’s look at the best shopping our host city has to offer.
Faith Hope Consolo is a director on the CREW Network Board of Directors and chairman of the Retail Group for Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
We may have a jam-packed schedule at the Spring Leadership Summit at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel this month, but take a few minutes to explore some of the many shopping neighborhoods in the downtown area.
Right outside our hotel, Harborplace and the Gallery (201 E. Pratt St.) are likely what first comes to mind when shopping this city. Its fun mix includes local shops and restaurants, as well as national chains: America!, Destination Baltimore, H&M, Sport Shop, Urban Outfitters, Cheesecake Factory and more. Plus it has one of the prettiest locations on the Inner Harbor. Take a break and relax!
Just east of Harborplace, the aptly named Harbor East area features national chains on Aliceanna Street, including Lululemon (820), Madewell (811) and White House Black Market (810).
Federal Hill’s Main Street area has a variety of retailers, including Apothecary Wellness (1200 Light St.) and its organic beauty services, Brightside Boutique & Art Studio (1133 S. Charles St., also 732 Broadway in Fell's Point) for trendy clothing and tattoos, and Phina’s (919 S. Charles St.) for beautiful linens.
The Mount Vernon area offers small apparel and antique boutiques on West Read Street, including Chained Desires (136), Anne Smith Antiques (222) and R. Mark Mitchell (206), as well as apparel shops on North Charles Street including Star Won Fashions (407).
The Bromo Arts District is the headquarters for antiques and design. North Howard Street features the 20th Century Gallery (825), Antique Row Stalls (809), Dubeys Art & Antiques (807), Imperial Half Bushel (831), and Weber’s Antiques (881), among others. Also check out Grandma’s Candle Shop on 227 West Saratoga St.
Actually older than the city of Baltimore itself, Fell’s Point east of downtown has been a major center of commerce since the 1730s and has undergone a revitalization in recent years, with retail focused on Thames Street and Broadway. In fact, some websites dub it the best shopping in the city! Broadway Market (South Broadway between Fleet and Lancaster streets) features stalls with a variety of foods. Fortify yourself to visit retailers including: aMuse Toys (1623 Thames St.), geared toward younger children; Antique Man (1806 Fleet St.), which focuses on the unusual as well as the historic; The Sound Garden (1616 Thames St.) for those of us who miss vinyl; Hats in the Belfry (813 S. Broadway), a.k.a. millinery heaven; Polina’s Prive Fine Lingerie (724 S. Broadway); and Ten Thousand Villages (1621 Thames St.), which carries artisanal items from around the world.
At 3501 Boston St., The Shops at Canton Crossing features familiar names including Target, DSW and LOFT, as well as major restaurants.
And don’t forget the metropolitan area’s many malls. Towson Town Center (825 Dulaney Valley Rd., Towson) features major names including Macy’s, Nordstrom, abercombie, Apple, Bose, Coach, Crate & Barrel, Forever 21, J. Crew, Lilly Pulitzer, Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Pottery Barn, Soma and more. The Mall in Columbia (10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia) is the largest mall in the state, anchored by Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Sears, JCPenney, Macy’s, an AMC theater and more. And for great values, consider Arundel Mills (7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, Md.), and the Queenstown and Hagerstown premium outlet centers.
Pick up that gift or that perfect summer outfit – but don't miss any sessions. See you soon in Baltimore and happy shopping!
