BALTIMORE SHOPPING GUIDE

Baltimore has a variety of antique shops as well as a few standard retail malls. Most mall shopping is done at Harborplace and the Gallery in the Inner Harbor. Fell’s Point contains much of the mom & pop eclectic shops and the Mt. Vernon District has much of the antique shopping, as it is home to Antique Row. Most upscale stores are found on Charles Street as well as the Mt. Vernon District.

Antique Row
800 Block of N. Howard Street
410/383-2881

HOURS:
Stores vary

Also known as The Avenue of the Arts, Antique Row has about 45 stores representing over 70 dealers. Although the wide selection does not include the vintage 50s thrift shopping that is found in Fell’s Point, the shopping still consists of high quality pieces of antique furniture and other collectibles.

-----THRIFT STORES--

9^th Life

1618 Thames Street
410/534-9999

HOURS:
Mon-Fri, Noon to 7pm
Sat-Sun, 12pm till
(Closed Tuesdays)

Located in Fell’s Point, the 9^th Life is a small but very cool thrift store that will bring you back to the 70s. Merchandise is on the handmade artsy side and generally is fairly priced as such. You can find everything from cosmetics to Japanese clothing in here. This is a place for browsing or light shopping and it can offer some interesting gifts and surprises.

Fat Elvis
833 W. 36^th street
410/467-6030

HOURS:
Also open by appointment

Fat Elvis is one of the more unique thrift shops in Baltimore. The store looks like the gathering point for leftovers of area yard sales. Prices on merchandise range from $1 to $200. Everything in this joint is retro, including old magazines, 70s clothing, and art work, to name a few. EVERYTHING you see in this place is for sale, whether it’s priced or not.

Galvanize
927 W. 36^th Street
410/889-5237

HOURS:
Thu-Sat, Noon to 6pm
Sun, Noon to 4pm

Galvanize has two levels of vintage and antique merchandise that weren’t even hip in the 60s and 70s. But that’s what makes it all so cool. This place is so well stocked with unique "stuff" that it’s very difficult to leave here without buying something. Prices range from $8 sweaters to $15 jeans and corduroys, as well as a variety of other interesting merchandise priced under the $40 mark.

--------MALL SHOPPING--

Harborplace and The Gallery
100 Pratt Street
410/732-6400

HOURS:
Monday thru Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 10am-6pm
(Extended Summer Hours)

ADMISSION:
Free

Harborplace is comprised of two adjacent shopping pavilions that stand waterside in the heart of the Harbor. Together the buildings consist of 101 retail shops, 16 restaurants, and 40 eateries. Some of the more commercial places include Planet Hollywood, the Cheesecake Factory, and Hooters. Visitors can enter either building and get a quick bite to eat, enjoy a nice sit-down dinner, or just take a load off; or perhaps, get a load on with a few drinks. Harborplace shopping, on the other hand, is not very eclectic and slightly upscale. On the other side of Pratt Street is The Gallery -- a four-story shopping mall that is connected to Harborplace by skywalk. With another 70 shops to offer, The Gallery is more of a standard mall with stores like The Gap, Foot Locker, and Bath & Body Works; but is also interspersed with high-end shops like The Coach Store, Talbots, and Brooks Brothers. Oh, and by the way; the Food Court is awesome! Harborplace and The Gallery are the crux of the Harbor so this area is especially happening during the summer with live entertainment, fireworks, tall ships, etc.. Of course, both places are easily accessible on foot from anywhere along the seaport and are located a very short distance away from such major attractions as the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center. Moreover, directly in front of Harborplace is the water taxi "center". If driving, visitors can park in The Gallery Garage, with entrances on both South and Calvert Streets. Or valet your vehicle at the Pratt Street Pavilion entrance from 5pm - Midnight, Mon. thru Fri., and 11am - Midnight on weekends.