🍦7.2 million visitors

Good morning, Annapolis. Always remember: the early bird might get the worm. But the second mouse gets the cheese 🧀 🐭

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

Summer’s over, the kids are back in school, and routines are (finally) settling in. Which means it’s the perfect time to tackle that to-do list you’ve been ignoring — like reviewing your business insurance policy.

The team at Yates Insurance makes it easy. No endless phone menus. No pushy upsells. Just a family-owned, local agency that’s been helping Annapolis families and businesses protect what matters most for nearly 40 years.

So before fall gets away from you, check this one off your list. You’ll get peace of mind knowing your coverage is right where you want it — and a team of real people in Edgewater ready to help whenever you need them. Call Yates Insurance today.

Wednesday: AMM September Sunset Concert Series 🎶 🌊
Thursday: Coming soon to Severna Park: Y’ollk Bakery 🥐

It’s back to school for everyone. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell presented a $230.2M capital budget recommendation to the Board of Education on Wednesday, targeting FY2027. The only two Annapolis schools listed for repairs in the budget are Annapolis High and Georgetown East Elementary, which need new chillers and HVAC systems, respectively. Roughly 63% of the budget is going outside city limits with a couple big projects.

To read the full proposal, click here.

Anne Arundel County’s our home, so it’s kinda strange to think about it being a vacation spot. But it is — and there are numbers to prove it. People love to visit Anne Arundel County, either as a day trip or for an extended stay, and the 2024 Tourism Economic Impact Report shows we had more than 7.2 million visitors last year. That’s a 4.7% increase over 2023.

So, what does having that many tourists mean for our county? We’ll let you guess. See how close you can get to the exact numbers included in the report:

💸 #1: How much money did tourism generate for Anne Arundel County?
💸  #2: How many jobs are in the tourism industry?
💸  #3: How much tax revenue (federal, state, and local) does tourism generate?

Answers:

#1 – $4.3 billion
#2 – 27,258 jobs (10% of all county employment)
#3 – $860 million

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This is a spicy debate and even though it’s gonna hit 85º today, we want chili. So we’re sharing some of the best in town.

Heroes Pub: The Heroes Chili, topped with cheese and onions, is well, a hero. Served with salty chips perfect for dipping. Add a salad or half sandwich for a full meal.

Iron Rooster: Known for gourmet Pop Tarts, but don’t sleep on the Smoked Brisket Chili. Bursting with flavor, it’s topped with classic accoutrements like cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla strips.

Pip’s: We’re nothing but inclusive — and Chili dogs count. Not one but four specialty hot dogs feature Pip’s homemade chili.

Julep Southern Kitchen & Bar: We haven’t had it (yet), but people rave about the Julep Chili with 22 ingredients (7 of which are chiles) finished with cheddar and jack cheeses. It’s rich, medium-heat chili served with cornbread.

What did we miss? Reply to us with this subject line: 🌶️

The Bay Ridge Ave. property that houses Main and Market, One. Physical Therapy, and Domino’s Pizza has a new owner. Rosso Commercial Real Estate recently announced that the 40,000-square foot plaza has sold for $3.7 million. It’s the first time since 1994, when it was purchased for $1.8M.

FatFace, the British high-end casual clothing store on Main Street, unfortunately shuttered its doors last week, just a month short of its fifth anniversary in Annapolis. Fast Company Magazine reported in August that the brand was closing all of its 23 retail locations in the U.S., citing rising costs as the reason. If this highly bums you out, don’t totally despair: the store has moved to an online-only model and the brand says it remains committed to its customers despite the closure of its brick-and-mortar locations.

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.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

DTA | Naptown Brass Band Cruise | Set sail with Watermark while enjoying a live music performance | 6:30 PM

Maryland Hall | Arts Alive | NYC comedian Allan Fuks performs for this fundraiser to benefit Maryland Hall | 5:30 PM

Parole | Food Truck Fridays | Get dinner from any of a variety of local food trucks gathered at the Annapolis Farmers Market | 4-8 PM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Crownsville | Fall Field Market | Join Wildberry and other local small businesses for an outdoor market on the farm | 9 AM-noon

DTA | Tango Reo Quintet at Annapolis City Dock | Bring your dancing shoes to this evening of live tango music by the water | 8 PM

Admiral Heights | Navy football vs. UAB | Navy football is back and this weekend’s game is against UAB. Check out our Navy football gameday guide for all the details you need to know. | 3:30 PM

Gibson Island | Chesapeake Windsurfing/Wing Festival | Experienced racers and newbies take to the Chesapeake Bay for windsurfing and other competitions | 9 AM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

West Street | First Sunday Arts Festival | Browse over 100 vendors at this premier arts festival along West Street | 11 AM-5 PM

Lothian | First Sunday Market | Over 30 vendors set up shop at Honey’s Harvest Farm’s historic barn | 11 AM-3 PM

What we’re not up to this weekend

The Renaissance Festival because it’s 100% sold out. No tickets are sold at the gate and festival organizers warn against buying tickets on resale websites.

In a few weeks, the air around Sandy Point will be filled with the sounds of progressive bluegrass, improvisational jam, and American roots music. That’s because the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival is set for September 20-21, and the official schedule dropped this week. 14 bands and 3 artists-at-large will perform on the two alternating beachside stages, along with workshops and other activities, from 11 AM - 10 PM both days. So, whether you want to hear great bluegrass music, learn how to shuck an oyster, or do yoga on the beach, there’s something for you. Tickets are still available.

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.

City Council is meeting at 7 PM on Monday, and its first order of business is to recognize two Annapolis restaurants for their commitment to service. Boatyard Bar and Grill is receiving recognition for assisting with the removal of abandoned fuel tanks, helping city workers by serving them lunch and drinks while they attacked the problem. Next up, Chick and Ruth’s is getting a big congratulations for 60 years of deliciousness. Later in the evening, they’ll be discussing Tyler Ave. zoning, Boat Show leases in the 2030s, the upcoming Naptown Flea Market (once postponed because of permits), speed cameras, Market House’s lease terms, and a whole lot more. So grab your Twizzlers because it’s going to be a good one.

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86 🌡️ 73 | ⛅ | 15% | 💨 S 13 mph (11 knots)

84 🌡️ 64 | ⛈️ | 78% | 💨 S 11 mph (10 knots)

73 🌡️ 60 | ⛅ | 21% | 💨 N 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 76ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

🌳🎵 = Outdoor Concert

49 West | Tom Mitchell & Friends | 8–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Honey Sol | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | FessUP | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | The National Bohemians | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Kieran Lally | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Michael Ferro | 5–8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dagenhart | 9 PM
Galway Bay | Pete Best | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Josee Molavi | 5:30–8:30 PM
🌳🎵Goshen Far | Summer Concert Series | 6:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | O'McPub Band | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Stephen Henson | 8–11 PM
Market House | Leslie Webber and Callum | 8–11 PM
Market Space | TBA | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Mojo Collection | 10 PM
Old Stein Inn | Eddie Pasa | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Dan Haas | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Weight Band | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Jayme & Mike | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | One Step Down | 5 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Remedy | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Frank Florence | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Chris Dean | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Mike McHenry Trio | 9:45 PM

49 West | Soul Journers Band | 7:30–10:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Enslow | 9 PM
Brian Boru | Lost and Found | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Ryan Cobb | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave Tieff | 2–5 PM
Coconut Joe’s | My Chemical Bromance | 9 PM
Dark Horse | Ryan Keith Band | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Dana Biagina | 1:30–4:30 PM
Great Frogs | Laura Brino | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | The Hyland Brothers | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market Space | Kevin Buttry | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern |Mike McHenry | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Nils & Jeff Kashiwa | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Radio Free Baltimore | 9 PM
Rams Head Tavern | The Freebyrds | 6 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Back in Time | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Warrior Music Foundation | 2–9 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Ben Heemstra | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Honey Sol | 9:45 PM

49 West | Larry Byrne | 5:30–7:30 PM
Brian Boru | Finbar's Flight | 4–7 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Steel Drums | 2–5 PM
First Sunday Arts Festival | See lineup | 11:30 AM–5 PM
Galway Bay | The Drinker & The Scholar | 4–8 PM
Market House | The Band Bond | 6:30–8 PM
Market Space | David Andrew Smith | 2–6 PM
Pirates Cove | Joey Fitz | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Pat McGee & Friends | 1 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | Dustbowl Revival w/ Chris Kasper | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Tim Atkinson | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Hyland Brothers | 9 PM

Football (1-0)
9/6 vs. UAB | 3:30 PM

Women's Rugby (1-0)
9/6 vs. Dartmouth | 11 AM

Men's Rugby
9/6 vs. Queens | 1 PM

Women's Soccer (5-2)
9/7 vs. Presbyterian | 1 PM

Men's Soccer (1-0-3)
9/6 vs. Stonehill | Noon

Women's Volleyball (2-1)
9/5 vs. Wake Forest vs. George Mason | 3 PM
9/5 vs. Air Force | 6 PM
9/6 vs. Air Force vs. Wake Forest | 3 PM
9/6 vs. George Mason | 6 PM
9/7 vs. George Mason vs. Air Force | Noon
9/7 vs. Wake Forest | 3 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who struggles to spell “chili”.