🍦Annapolis Town Center sold for $187 million

Good morning, Annapolis. Publix just signed a lease in Manassas for the grocery chain’s northernmost store yet. It’s still way too far from Annapolis (67 miles) for even the most passionate Publix fan (hi) but they’re getting closer.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

This October, for the tenth consecutive year, 84 Lumber is proud to reaffirm its commitment to the fight against breast cancer through a series of impactful initiatives across the organization.

At Headquarters, associates will assemble self-care kits, personalized with handwritten notes and comfort items. Each kit will also include a premium, co-branded item provided by James Hardie. They will be distributed to a local hospital in Washington County, PA and to other individuals impacted by breast cancer.

In addition, kits are sent to each 84 Lumber location, which include pink lumber flags, spray paint, stencils, and memo cards to support awareness efforts at the local level.

84 Lumber will also contribute a $10,000 donation to a top-rated breast cancer foundation and provide health-focused internal communications throughout the month. They are committed to the fight against breast cancer, and hope that you will join in spreading awareness!

For those hoping for a bidding war over St. Helena Island, we hate to disappoint. Instead of “going, going, gone” it’s just “gone!” As in sold. Reminder: This 6.5-acre island retreat features a 1920s four-bedroom Federal-style home, guest and caretaker quarters, modern amenities, and docks fit for a 110-foot yacht. We don’t know the final price of the island overlooking Round Bay (they settle next week). It was originally listed with Scoop friend and realtor Brad Kappel at $2.98M. What we do know? The auction is cancelled — a normal thing for auctions like this, especially when you can avoid the auction house’s 12% fee.

We recently turned the final page of Don’t Wear Shoes You Can’t Walk In: A Field Guide for Your Twenties. For a decade, local author Michelle Douglas journaled one lesson a day — insights on moving, working, loving, losing, and building. Part advice book, part journal, it invites readers of any age (especially twentysomethings) to reflect and find meaning in everyday moments.

Michelle, a writer, mentor, and founder of Ladder — a brand strategy and communications company focused on social good — now calls Annapolis home with her husband and two young daughters.

You could buy her book online, but why not get a signed copy from Park Books? Lauren’s signed copy also came with two adorable postcards that symbolize Michelle’s advice: “If you want more mail, send more mail.”

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

The seasons aren’t the only thing changing in Annapolis. Federal Realty Investment Trust has acquired Annapolis Town Center (home to Whole Foods, Target, Anthropologie, etc.) for $187M, adding the 480,000-sq.-ft. open-air shopping destination to its portfolio. Federal Realty specializes in retail-based properties, managing 102 sites with 3,500 tenants in 27M sq. ft. of commercial space in addition to 3,000 residential units.

There are usually changes after an acquisition like this. Whether it’s related or not, we don’t know, but Stardust Deluxe Boutique is leaving after October 22 and heading for Maryland Avenue.

Notably, this sale doesn’t include the residential towers. A subsidiary of the developer behind National Harbor scooped up two of the apartment buildings for $160 million just last year. ($)

Alright, the consensus among the Scoop team is that the only time we’re awake at 2:30 AM is to get a drink of water and visit the bathroom (even though we know we’re not supposed to drink water before bed). So this decision is likely made more with the downtown college kids in mind. However, if you’ve ever tried getting food in Annapolis after 9 or 10 PM, you know your options are severely limited. Knowing that, Capo Deli took one for the team and is now staying open until 2:30 AM.

It’s highly unlikely you’ll ever find us there in the wee hours but if you did, you could find us chowing on a chicken cheesesteak (always), homemade meatball park, or a classic Cuban.

📍 139 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

It’s finally HERE.! Downtown Annapolis’ regular pop-up shop is opening Friday, October 17, at 6 Fleet Street. If you’re as excited as we are, you’ll come down Thursday night for the sneak peek and opening party from 5–8 PM. El throws a great opening party. Shopping with El is also a fun experience full of unique items you’ll never find elsewhere, and the energy in the shop is like a high school reunion without the awkwardness. Come see what all the hype is about HERE. but remember - like the world’s most famous pumpkin, she disappears at midnight on November 9 never to return. Don’t dawdle.

JK: HERE. always does a Christmas pop-up, too.

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.

80 is the new 70. While this is great news, it could come with more expenses. If you decide to retire at 65, that means there’s a 25% chance you’ll need to have at least 25 years of money for retirement stashed away.

One of our biggest tips? Stay active. Staying healthy can not only extend your life, but save you money in the long run. Learn more.

🎃 Naptown Philharmonic Orchestra presents Halloween Spooktacular Oct. 19. Don’t miss this all-ages concert featuring seasonal music like the Devil’s Dance and the Monster Mash. (There’s even a costume contest.)

🎵 Classic Theatre of Maryland presents 1930s Cabaret: Puttin’ on the Ritz 2025 Oct. 14. This cabaret brings the music of Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, and more to life in a stylish celebration of resilience, romance, and rhythm.

🥸 Classic Theatre of Maryland presents The Importance of Being Earnest Oct. 15-19. Two men escape their social obligations by adopting fake identities, both of them under the pseudonym Earnest.

🌥️ Compass Rose Theatre presents Annie Sep. 19-Oct. 26. The Compass Rose season begins with this family-friendly musical about a plucky orphan who knows the sun’ll come out tomorrow.

🧛‍♂️ Colonial Players presents Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors Opening Oct 24. This hilariously absurdist take on the classic vampire story may cause bloodcurdling screams — of laughter.

💔 Children’s Theatre of Annapolis presents West Side Story Opening Oct 24. Young lovers are caught between rival gangs in this musical set to open the new season at CTA.

🎼 Live Arts Maryland presents The Phantom of the Opera with live music Oct. 30. No, not the Broadway musical—this is the silent film starring Lon Chaney, and its musical accompaniment for the showing will be performed live by St. Anne’s Church organist Larry Molinaro.

Two important announcements…

📣 ASGT announces 2026 season. Next summer might seem like a way’s away, but Annapolis Summer Garden Theater has already announced its slate of shows for the season: Cabaret (May 21-June 20), Beautiful: the Carole King Musical (July 2-July 25), and Young Frankenstein (August 6-September 6).

📣 Happy workiversary to Craig Kier of the Annapolis Opera! Craig Kier is celebrating his fifth year as artistic director and music director of Annapolis Opera. He joined the company shortly after the start of the Covid pandemic and led it through the tumultuous time to continue being a cultural touchstone.

Get involved…

✍️ ASGT holds auditions for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical Nov. 8, 10. Be part of ASGT’s midseason production about the legendary singer-songwriter. Performances are next July.

Blacks of the Chesapeake is honoring the life and legacy of Vincent O. Leggett, the “Admiral of the Chesapeake,” with an evening fundraiser and celebration – A Night at the Beaches. The evening will celebrate Leggett’s work in championing and preserving the rich history of Carr’s, Elktonia, and Sparrow’s Beaches, along with his lifelong contributions to environmental justice. There will be incredible food, entertainment, and tributes from community leaders with all proceeds going to Blacks of the Chesapeake, the non-profit foundation Leggett founded in 1984. November 7, 6:30 PM at Beacon Restaurant.

Just a month after wrapping up 2025’s festival, the Maryland Seafood Festival organizers already made a date o-fish-ial for next year — the 58th annual event is set for September 12-13, once again at Sandy Point State Park and once again featuring all your favorite maritime fare. Already know you can make it? Reel in those general admission tickets with a super early bird special price of just $8. (Note that VIP tickets will go on sale at a later date.)

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.

At the Board of Education’s regular meeting tomorrow at 6:30 PM at the Parham Building, board members will hear about Phase 2 of the comprehensive redistricting process and consider revisions to the current school year calendar. There will also be an update on school funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. See the full agenda. There is an opportunity for both verbal and written testimony on agenda items.

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

68 🌡️ 58 | 🌦️ | 50% | 💨 N 13 mph (11 knots)

70 🌡️ 51 | 🌤️ | 4% | NNW 13 mph (11 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 67ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West |  Seth Mitchell & Friends | 7:30–9:30 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
Middleton Tavern | Annapolis Songwriters Showcase | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Roadhouse | Carly Winter | 6 PM

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
Brian Boru | Bobby Reed | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–10 PM
Middleton Tavern | MIchael Waskey | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Steve McCoy | 6–9 PM
The Point | Jack Jones | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Katie Pruitt w/ Jess Nolan | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Nate Finn | 4:30 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Aaron Hawkins | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Anthony Broccolina | 9 PM

Women's Soccer (8-5-2)
10/15 @ American | 1 PM

Stories with ($) require a third-party subscription.

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone from Miami.