Everything Under The Sun: A New Location On The Agenda

Friday, January 8, 2016

A New Location On The Agenda

One of the pizzas available at Fleet Street location.

The BAGBY RESTAURANT GROUP has several locations throughout the Baltimore region, with different names and various ambiances. The food comes locally from its own Cunningham Farms, located in Cockeysville, MD. That means fresh produce, eggs, pork, and lamb are on the menu daily.

Now, over in Owings Mills, northwest of Baltimore, a new mixed-use development project is underway. The Bagby Restaurant Group is involved in a big way. In a first for this company, the plan is to open a liquor store, Foundry Row Wine And Spirit, in a 9,000-square foot space. The store will join such other retailers as anchor store Wegman's, a DSW shoe store, Panera Bread, and Smashburger's.

At the time their store plans were announced, CEO Chris Becker said, "Anytime you can be next to a Wegman's that has the potential of doing anywhere from $80 million to $120 million [in sales] - I think they range from on their locations - it's always tempting. And based on everything we looked into, it looked like a good move."

The company already had five restaurants in its portfolio and the plan was to add a wine store into the mix. But, Mr. Becker is planning that the store will have the added hospitality that is so much part of the restaurants already in the Bagby family. Mr. Becker explained, "We are trying to establish something a little different and give it an actual brand. Most places you don't really see liquor stores develop that so we're going to have the opportunity to have a great feel of a space with a nice brand." That actually could come about, with plans for the store to hold wine, beer, and cheese tastings, along with other special events, once the construction and store opening have occurred.

At the same time, Bagby is also planning to expand locations occupied by its quick service pizzeria, Bagby Pizza. Originally opened in downtown Baltimore, with a second one opened in Pikesville this past August, the brand has been so successful that the company decided to add another pizzeria to its holdings at Foundry Row.

Chef John Hufnagel at Ten Ten American Bistro, a more upscale restaurant.

This new Bagby Pizza will occupy around 2,000 square feet and be able to seat 35 customers. This one will be modeled on the quick-service Pikesville model, with less casual dining space than the original downtown location. Construction is to begin in June of this year, utilizing reclaimed wood and recycled materials, with an opening planned for the fall.