Capital Gazette article on Annapolis development Beacon Square features commentary from AAEDC CEO Amy Gowan

July 6, 2024

The Capital Gazette featured commentary from AAEDC President & CEO Amy Gowan in the following article on businesses opening at Annapolis’s newest mixed-use development:

Wave of retailers and restaurants begin to arrive in Annapolis’ Beacon Square

The article, which appeared on the front page, reported that national chains Aspen Dental and GNC recently opened at the Square, and that three more businesses will be opening soon: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Moby Dick House of Kabob and Meg Fox Aesthetics. It added that its 93,000 feet of retail space will also include Moby Dick House of Kabob, Cold Stone Creamery, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Eggspectation, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Inspire Nail Bar, Dog Haus Biergarten, Ohm Fitness, Arhaus Furniture, and Visual Comfort Lighting.

It featured the following statement from Gowan on the impact of the development:

“Beacon Square is strategically located to maximize community impact, offering easy access to amenities and resources that enhance quality of life and foster economic growth in Annapolis.”

The full article reads:

The first two businesses recently moved into Beacon Square, a new retail and housing development in Annapolis — with more soon to come.

Aspen Dental and GNC, two nationwide chains, opened their doors in June and as of July 3, are the only two tenants up and running. Other retailers expected to open in the coming weeks include: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Moby Dick House of Kabob and Meg Fox Aesthetics.

Jersey Mike’s will be hosting a grand opening July 17, kicking off their first five days in business with a fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics of Maryland.

“We’re always trying to give back at Jersey Mike’s, our motto is give to give,” said Paul Weitz, co-owner of the local franchise that has six locations in Maryland. “It’s a natural area to be in, and we’re pumped to be the first franchisee in Annapolis for Jersey Mike’s.”

Other tenants set to join them include Cold Stone Creamery, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Eggspectation breakfast restaurant, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Inspire Nail Bar, Dog Haus Biergarten, Ohm Fitness, Arhaus furniture and Visual Comfort lighting retailer.

Beacon Square’s plans call for 93,000 square feet of retail space, 428 parking spaces and 508 apartment units. Located at 2500 Riva Road in Parole, near the intersection of West Street across from the Annapolis Town Center, the development replaces a former office building owned by Corporate Office Properties Trust.

“Beacon Square is strategically located to maximize community impact, offering easy access to amenities and resources that enhance quality of life and foster economic growth in Annapolis,” Amy Gowan, president of Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, said in a statement.

It was acquired by the developers SJC Ventures and AvalonBay Communities Inc. in 2021 for $3 million and broke ground in 2022. As a mixed-use development, meaning it blends commercial, residential and office uses, it complements similar sites nearby, including the Annapolis Town Center and Park Place Annapolis, among others.

“We really like being involved in the community and bringing [them] together and a way to accomplish that is through mixed-use projects, where you have a grocer you can shop at, retailers you can do services at, and you can live in these apartments,” said Jess Moore, chief operating officer for SJC Ventures.

In addition to the upcoming retailers, Avalon Annapolis is pre-leasing apartments, with the first residents expected to move in Aug. 10, according to the company.

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