🍦Great Harvest isn't closing

TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Annapolis. This is Naptown Scoop – the local newsletter that never takes a snow day.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

• Anne Arundel’s economy at a glance

• Bay Bridge Paddle

• Friends for Friends

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins, & Ryan Sneddon

SPONSORED BY 84 LUMBER

Explore the latest in premium windows and doors at the all-new 84 Lumber Andersen Showroom, now open in Annapolis!

Located in the heart of the Design District, the showroom features an extensive selection of Andersen products, including top-rated windows from the 100, 200, 400, A-Series, and E-Series. Whether you're looking for a classic or custom solution, you'll find a variety of replacement window configurations that fit your needs.

Discover innovative offerings, such as the powered pocketing multi-glide door, a sleek custom pivot door, and a versatile custom lift-and-slide door. Our Store Manager, David Perdue, is ready to guide you through the selection process and help bring your vision to life.

Visit us Monday-Friday, 8 AM–3 PM, at111 Chinquapin RoundRoador contact David at 410-774-4300 to experience quality and customization like never before.

Take a virtual tour of the showroom before you stop by!

THE DIGEST

$10K for Annapolis Light House 🍲

So, we all know the Eagles won the Super Bowl (and I didn’t even rub it in), but do you know who won the SOUPer Bowl? The Annapolis Light House! They’re receiving $10K from the Super Bowl Sunday fundraiser. About 150 people attended the soup lunch at Heritage Baptist Church, bringing donations to benefit The Light House’s homeless prevention support and resources for people in our community. This year’s total surpasses any other year’s fundraising efforts since the event started in 2007! Kinda like how the Eagles handed the Chiefs their worst playoff loss since 2021.

🌟AAEDC's 2024 Annual Impact Report 🌟

The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) — a catalyst for county growth — just released its 2024 Impact Report. Key highlights include:

• AA County boasts a $64.3B economy (Maryland’s 3rd largest) with 66K+ businesses

• 290 new businesses opened, 67 others expanded/relocated

• AAEDC’s Inclusive Ventures Program graduated 48 business owners, including 13 from its first Spanish-language cohort.

• The VOLT Loan Program awarded $2.3 million to 24 small, minority-, woman-, and Veteran-owned businesses, totaling $22M in loans since 2013.

• Arundel Grown, hosted at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville, had 150+ attendees and raised $19K+ for the 2025 Agricultural Business Improvement Grant.

• After the January 2024 Annapolis flood, AAEDC initiated the VOLT Disaster Recovery Relief Program and distributed $320K+ to 7 affected businesses and 1 nonprofit.

Dig into the 30-page report. 🤓

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@NAPTOWNSCOOP

📸 @koob13 | 📍Church Circle

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Anne Arundel’s Economy at a Glance

We’ve been experimenting with graphics lately and we want to know what you think. You won’t offend our graphic designer; that’s me by the way. Tell us how you feel!

New ownership for Great Harvest Bread Co. 🍞

Great Harvest Bread Company reopens today after a short hiatus. You might have heard the bakery closed for good on February 8 — which was true, but now an interested new owner has risen to the occasion like my favorite miracle no knead bread (#instantyeast). USNA grad Joe Kirby has made plans with owner Frank Dembia to serve as the shop’s general manager and eventually buy the business later this year. Joe’s professional experience includes active duty with the Navy, manager roles at Circuit City, and a recruiting role at Korn Ferry International. He is also a hobby baker, so he practically has everything kneaded to be successful in his new roll. ($)

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.

SPONSORED BY SCARBOROUGH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Six Ways to Stress Test Your Retirement Plan

We are constantly reminded how critical it is to ensure your retirement plan is resilient enough to withstand financial shocks. Here’s how to stress test your retirement plan, focusing on adjusting your investment allocations, managing healthcare options, and maintaining financial stability.

• Maximize Your Emergency Fund

• Tighten and Project Your Cash Flow

• Reevaluate Your Investment Allocations

• Consider New Income Opportunities

• Reevaluate Your Retirement Timeline

• Healthcare Options After a Layoff

We invite you to review our Retirement Planning Checklist: 5 Steps to Prepare for Retirement!

Scarborough Capital Management can help.

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Weekend Preview 🗓

Earlier this week, it looked like we might get buried under 10+ inches of snow. Now? Not so much. So let’s make some plans!

🐰 It’s the final weekend for CTA’s production of the classic nonsense adventure Alice in Wonderland with performances Friday 7 PM, Saturday 11 AM and 4 PM, and Sunday 2 PM.

🎨 The Annapolis Watercolor Club has an artist reception for its latest gallery, 50 Years on the Chesapeake, on Friday 5–7 PM at the Annapolis Maritime Museum.

🎶 Browse records and other old-school treasures at the Naptown Vinyl and Vintage Market on Sunday 11 AM–4 PM at Maryland Hall.

🥊 Watch midshipmen boxers go toe-to-toe in a blue vs. gold showdown at the Brigade Boxing Championships this Friday 7 PM @ USNA’s Alumni Hall.

🏠 Stop by the Homeowner’s Expo to get help with household projects on Saturday 10 AM–6 PM or Sunday noon–5 PM at the Byzantium Event Center.

🩰 Ballet Theatre of Maryland presents world premiere performances from its company members and guest choreographers in Momentum, with showings Friday 7:30 PM and Saturday 7 PM at Maryland Hall.

Local by Design’s February Market 🛍

Got the itch for some shopping? This weekend is the perfect time to do it. Local by Design has their monthly market, when the shop’s artisans and vendors organize an exciting shopping weekend event. The Gallery (located with entrances at 1818 Margaret Avenue or 1805 C&D Virginia Street in Annapolis) will stay open until 7 PM on Friday with cocktail hour starting at 4, so you have the chance to mingle with artisans and vendors. Can’t make it Friday? The market weekend continues Saturday 10 AM–5 PM and Sunday 11 AM–4 PM.

"Friends for Friends" Supporting the Light House

Gather your crew for a fabulous ladies' night out at one of Annapolis’ hottest venues — the Fluegel Alumni Center overlooking College Creek! On Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 6–9:30 PM, enjoy live music, a full open bar, light fare, raffles, and a showcase of women-focused businesses — all while supporting The Light House and its mission to end the cycle of homelessness.

Scoop’s a sponsor so clearly we recommend anyone who can help should do so! Grab tickets or explore sponsorship opportunities.

Make Waves at the Bay Bridge Paddle 2025 🌊 🏆

Seas the day at the 9th Annual Bay Bridge Paddle on Sunday, September 14, 2025! With divisions for kayaks, SUPs, surfskis, and more, paddlers of all skill levels can dive into three courses: The Span (9 miles), The Steamer (3 miles), and The Soft Shell (1 miles) at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis. What’s a surfski? It’s long kayak steered with a foot-controlled rudder.

Registration is now open with plenty of time to train. Top finishers in The Span will reel in their share of $2K in cash prizes!

🦀 P.S. After making a splash, relax at the Maryland Seafood Festival with live music, tasty bites, and a shore-load of fun. Raffles benefit the Foundation for Community Betterment.

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.

WEATHER

Thursday

31 🌡️ 24 | ☁️ | 22% | NW 19 mph (17 knots)

Friday

38 🌡️ 23 | ☀️ | 1% | 💨 NW 17 mph (15 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 36ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

Thursday

49 West | Jazz Wire Jam Session | 7:30–10:30 PM
Brian Boru | Aidan Ewald | 6:30–9:30 PM
Dark Horse | Neal Hooks | 9 PM
Killarney House | Loose Change | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Tony Streamella Band | 7 PM

Friday

49 West | Soul Sirens | 7:30–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Dave Chappell | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Rich Russman Band | 9 PM
Brian Boru | 120hz | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Kieran Lally | 8 PM
Killarney House | Meg & Angie | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Aaron Hawkins| 8–11 PM
Middleton Tavern | Shatners| 10 PM
Old Stein | Dan Haas | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | The Hyland Brothers | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Bob Quinlan | 8 PM
Reynolds Tavern | TBA | 7 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Remedy | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Michael Miller | 8 PM

NAVY SPORTS

Past results

Women's Basketball (15-10)
2/19 vs. Colgate | L 76–72

Men’s Basketball (10-18)
2/19 @ Colgate | L 79–75

Upcoming games

Baseball (0-3)
2/21 vs. Air Force | 6 PM

Women's Soccer (9-10-2)
2/21 vs. Georgetown | 7 PM

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THANKS!

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