🍦Annapolis Mall sold

250 years of slingin' oysters, go to ZIPS for Annapolis Hope today, Navy football preseason...

TOGETHER WITH
Brad Kappel key and anchor logo

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop, where we think of a funny thing to write here every morning for you. Except this morning. We can’t think of anything this morning.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

  • 250 years of slingin’ oysters 🦪 

  • ZIPS fundraiser today 👕 

  • Navy football preseason 🏈 

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Chelsea Harrison, & Ryan Sneddon

Waterfront masterpiece inside and out

Through the gate and down the winding driveway surrounded by lush landscaping is Bridgeview, the 18 acre estate of your dreams. The opulent exterior radiates luxury with multi-tiered terraces, a spectacular covered outdoor kitchen, private beach, and a hotel-quality pool and hot tub.

Inside, the grandeur continues. The lower-level is an entertainer’s dream, featuring multiple living areas, a gourmet kitchen, a bar fit for a private club, theater room, performance stage, game room, gym, and multiple guest suites. Upstairs, the 2,500 sqft primary bedroom suite is fit for royalty, with a private terrace, fireplace, adjoining office, luxurious spa bath, and custom closets. 

Overall, this estate is a private piece of paradise, boasting 8 bedrooms, 7 full baths, 3 half baths, 3 fireplaces, 2 laundry rooms, and true to its name, spectacular 180 degree views of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Contact Brad Kappel for your private tour today.

THE DIGEST

Oyster Feature: O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern – The Main Street Mainstay

Photo courtesy of O’Brien’s

Anyone who’s opened a restaurant knows barely making it through your first year in business is a big win. Well, how ‘bout 250 years?

O’Brien’s Oyster Bar & Seafood Tavern has been operating on Main Street since 1774 when it opened as the Rose & Crown Tavern. After several changes of hands and names, it became Fran O'Brien's Steak and Seafood House in 1970. These days it’s owned by Kostas Alexakis.

Locals and tourists alike know O’Brien’s is a place we can rely on for fresh oysters and an awesome happy hour. Currently, they offer 3 varieties of oysters (Skipjack, Choptank, and Prime) for $9/10/12 for a half dozen (respectively) Monday through Thursday, from 3–6 PM for happy hour.

How else can you oyster at O’Brien’s? Oysters Rockefeller, Oyster Shooters (vodka optional), Oyster Sampler, or a Cold Tower for the Table.

Westfield Annapolis Mall sold 🛍️

Dallas-based real estate firm Centennial just bought the 1.4 million square foot Annapolis Mall. With 31 properties across 16 states, Centennial is no stranger to redeveloping shopping centers. Neither party revealed the purchase price, but when you’re measuring square feet in the millions, you can bet it was a lot.

The sale is no surprise given that Westfield’s parent company said it would divest all of its US malls after Covid. They’ve since decided to hold onto a few, but Annapolis wasn’t one. Since 2018, Annapolis Mall lost several anchor tenants – Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and Sears included.

JCPenney will close in 2025, to be replaced by Hobby Lobby, Grocery Outlet, Onelife Fitness, and two more TBD tenants.

And now if we may offer one piece of timeless mall advice to the new owners: You can never have too many Auntie Anne’s.

Elktonia-Carr's Beach Heritage Park updates 🏞️

There’s been an exciting new development for the upcoming Carr’s Elktonia Heritage Park. Earlier this week, the City of Annapolis announced who’s doing the master plan. This entails turning the 5-acre site along the Chesapeake Bay into a park paying tribute to local history.

You might recall that during segregation, African American, Jewish, Italian, and other minority groups were barred from “whites only” beaches in Maryland, but everyone was welcome at the Carr’s and Sparrow’s family beach resorts.

The city bought the historic parcel in the summer of 2022 with the plan to turn it into a park, and recently announced the following nationally recognized firms who will be working on it:

🏖 Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP from McAdams
🏖 Kate Orff from SCAPE
🏖 MBP
🏖 Creative Urban Alchemy
🏖 Underwood and Associates
🏖 Synergy Solutions

There’s still no timeline or opening date for the park, but we’ll give you the Scoop as soon as we find out.

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Where are we? 📸

@NAPTOWNSCOOP

Each Wednesday, watch this space for a random snap from somewhere in Annapolis. Where are we? Only true Annapolitans will know. Tell us your guess on Instagram or Facebook.

And don’t forget! Tag @NaptownScoop to get your photos in the Scoop!

LOCAL BUSINESS

Alloy’s Grand Opening 💪

“Alloy” is a word referring to a combination of two metals. The results? A stronger metal. So if you’re looking to get stronger, you can’t beat training at Alloy Personal Training, which just opened up in Edgewater. Stop by and see what the center has to offer at their grand opening this Saturday (8/10) from 2–5 PM. All are welcome and local vendors will be on hand to celebrate. — 3059 Solomon’s Island Rd, Suite B, Edgewater, MD

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Watch out, Dog Owners! Lyme is on the loose!

Lyme Disease is no joke for dogs. It happens when dogs are bitten by deer ticks infected with the bacterium borrelia burgdorferi. And if you think that sounds bad, it’s because it is.

For starters, it’s quite painful for pups. In some cases (especially with Labradors), infected dogs develop a condition called Lyme nephritis that can cause kidney failure. And here’s the worst part.

Unlike humans, lyme is very hard to spot in dogs. Their hair or fur hides the usual warning signs. So the best way to prevent Lyme in dogs is a vaccination and monthly flea & tick prevention medicine. Luckily Western Shore Veterinary Hospital is here to help! Call today to protect your dogs.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

We’re making a huge announcement

Big news is always fun to share. And while we love writing it for everyone reading these emails, some things are better shared in person. That’s why we’ll share some huge news about Annapolis Hope at our Fourth Anniversary Party on August 16 at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Tickets include all the gourmet food you can eat, all the drinks you can (responsibly) drink, and even locally-made ice cream courtesy of Always Ice Cream Company. It all starts at 6:30 PM and we’ve ordered up the prettiest sunset of the summer. So grab some tickets and come hear the great news about Annapolis Hope!

One more week for the ZIPS fundraiser ‼️

We’ve said it before. We’ll say it again. There’s a pressing fundraiser going on at ZIPS Cleaners. But, it’s wrapping up soon. The last two days to participate are today and next Wednesday, August 14. ZIPS is donating 5% of sales from these Wednesdays to Annapolis Hope. Sending a BIG thanks to Zips for their generosity and to our readers who have already supported the fundraiser! ❤️ â€” 1955 West Street, Annapolis, MD

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

EXTRA SPRINKLES

Calling all event planners! Meet the Bougiest Bathrooms in the Business

The words “luxury” and “toilets” don’t usually go together. But that’s exactly what makes Royal Flush, well, a royal flush. Our portable restrooms are clean, air-conditioned (and heated) and stocked with more amenities than a Yacht Club bathroom. Whether it’s a wedding, corporate event, or a legendary garden party (you may have seen us at Paca Girlfriends), when it comes to doing your business, we aim to be the best in the business. Visit royalflushtoilets.com or call 410-881-6848 for a lightning-fast quote.*

Hot Summer Deals at Annapolis Performance Coatings!

As the summer heats up, so do our offers at Annapolis Performance Coatings! This August, get 15% off all services with code SUMMER15. Whether it's a ceramic coating, paint protection film, or full detail, now's the perfect time to give your vehicle the care it deserves. Visit us at 42 Hudson Street in unit 202 with expansion into unit 210 or contact us at apcdetail.com or 443-924-4416 to schedule.*

19th Annual Boatyard Beach Bash 🎉

Get ready for the 19th Annual Boatyard Beach Bash at the Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park on Saturday, September 21, 2024! Enjoy electrifying performances by world-class musicians and iconic members of Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band. Don’t miss your chance to grab general admission tickets and experience an unforgettable night. Join us for a celebration of music, fun, and tropical vibes you won’t want to miss!*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

NAPTOWN SCOOP WEATHER IS POWERED BY. . .

Wednesday

79 🌡️ 72 | ⛈️ | 72% | 💨 E 11 mph (10 knots)

Thursday

78 🌡️ 76 | 🌧️ | 71% | 💨 E 15 mph (13 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 85ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

Wednesday

49 West | Dave Chappell | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Joel Brandon | 6–9 PM
Dinner Under The Stars | Mike Heur | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Kevin Lee | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Nate Finn | 6–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Chris Diller | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jordan | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Idol Kings | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Rhythm and Screaming| 9 PM

Thursday

AMM Tides & Tunes Concert Series | ONO One Night Only Band | 7–9 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Jennifer Schimpf | 6–9 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Wroten | 6:30–9:30 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Neel Madan | 5–8 PM
Killarney House | Dave Tieff | 8–11 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Bird Daddy Project | 4–7 PM
Pirates Cove | Chris Diller | 6–9 PM
The Point | Dan Haas | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Donavon Frankenreiter w/ Twam | 7:30 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Tavair Dominque | 4:30 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM

SPORTS

As Navy’s home opener approaches against Bucknell on August 31, the stakes are high. Navy has endured four straight losing seasons and a 1–7 record against rival service academies since 2020 . . .

Second-year coach Brian Newberry expressed great optimism as he addressed the media last Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Newberry, who previously spent four seasons as Navy’s defensive coordinator, believes the program can turn the corner. Drew Cronic, the new offensive coordinator from Mercer, has installed what he calls the “millennial version” of the Wing-T offense. As for us, we’re stoked for more Saturday afternoons at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. ($)

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THANKS!

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