Seven local Black-owned businesses to occupy historic Harborplace pavilions
Leaders from MCB Real Estate and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore recently unveiled the recipients of the Downtown BOOST Harborplace Local Tenancy Program, an initiative that will bring seven local Black-owned businesses to Harborplace.
The announcement marks a major step toward a reimagined Harborplace, which over the past several months has garnered recognition as one of the most extensive, large-scale redevelopment projects in the region.
The businesses that are a part of the local tenancy program will occupy suites in Harborplace pavilions – five in the Light Street Pavilion and two in the Pratt Street Pavilion. They will all function under two-year license agreements to occupy space in what will become a mixed-use complex in the heart of Baltimore City.
The Harborplace suites will be occupied by the following businesses:
Light Street Pavilion
- Cuples Tea, a premium loose-leaf tea company curating an exquisite collection of premium loose-leaf teas, along with an array of thoughtfully selected tea accessories; this is their second location for the business owned and operated by husband and wife duo, Eric and Lynnette Dodson.
- Milton’s Daughters, a shop providing authentic waist beads and cultural accessories as well as crystals, herbs and spiritual tools, owned and operated by Amanda Hynson.
- Pandora’s Box, by Monesha Philips, a unique selection of the latest trends, jewelry, gifts, home decor, and personal accessories.
- Storybook Maze, a literacy community outreach movement by Araba Maze, which seeks to eliminate book deserts by installing free public book vending machines.
- Yele Stitches, an African Luxury brand creating custom and handmade dresses, tops, bridal gowns, and more owned and operated by designer Abisola Omoyele “Yelé” Oladeinde.
Pratt Street Pavilion
- MoreLife Organic Juice, a family-run juice company from Toluwaloju Runsewe and Nicole Scott, focused on making organic juices, herbal teas, and raw vegan snacks.
- Motion Athletics, an athleticwear brand with a fashion and streetwear focus owned and operated by Idris Coleman.
The application for the Harborplace Local Tenancy Program was originally announced in September 2023. This incubator initiative was made possible by MCB Real Estate and the Office of Mayor Brandon Scott.
Idris Coleman is the founder and owner of Motion Athletics, which has been around since 2019 and has another location on Greenmount Avenue.
“This is an opportunity for us to introduce our business to another customer base [while] being inclusive with our current customer base,” Coleman said.
MCB Real Estate Managing Partner David Bramble, one of the main masterminds behind the reimagined Harborplace, said he couldn’t be more elated to continue the momentum of the local tenancy program as he, project partners and colleagues look to revitalize the “beating heart” of Baltimore.
Since announcing Harborplace redevelopment plans last fall, Bramble emphasized MCB’s commitment to cultivating small, local businesses.
“MCB believes small businesses are the lifeblood of our community and a critical component to Harborplace success,” Bramble said.
“Having grown up in an entrepreneurial environment, I have a firsthand appreciation for the unmatched grit, hustle, and laser-focused understanding small business owners bring to their craft and their customers. Throughout our year-and-a-half-long community engagement process, we heard time and again the importance of showcasing innovative and forward-thinking local entrepreneurs, artists, and creators.”
According to DPOB, $25,000 grants will support various operational costs for the local tenancy business, including physical space needs, technical, legal and marketing services.
On the afternoon of May 29, DPOB and MCB hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Harborplace Pavilions that featured Scott, Bramble, DPOB President Shelonda Stokes and the seven tenancy program business owners.
“This is a significant moment in history – placing these BIPOC-owned businesses in prime, waterfront real estate so they can expand their customer base and strengthen their businesses. We’re supporting entrepreneurs, helping them build equity while furthering our mission to revitalize Downtown and transform the neighborhood into a walkable, pedestrian-friendly place to explore,” Stokes told The Baltimore Times.
“We hope this is a message to Baltimore that amazing things can happen when we come together. We also hope the Downtown BOOST program inspires other cities to do what they can to support BIPOC-owned businesses, who historically get significantly less funding. We see this program as a win-win. We hope that kids who enjoy the Harbor see themselves in this cohort, and know that owning a business is an achievable dream!”
The seven BOOST-Harborplace incubator businesses are set to open on June 19, 2024.