🍦Chipotle opens 4th Annapolis store

Good morning, Annapolis. Looking for the perfect pint of Guinness? Galway Bay’s own Seamus Galway won the Guinness Perfect Pint competition at the Dublin brewery’s Baltimore brewery last week. Good time to pick up some egg nog, too.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, isn’t it? Why? Three letters: PTO. And speaking of, here’s who’s taking it easy next week (and beyond).

City of Annapolis:
Offices are closed December 25-26 and January 1. They close at 3 PM on December 24 and 31. A few exceptions:

Anne Arundel County:
Offices and WMS facilities are closed Christmas Day. That’s all we know at this time. Will update you as info comes in.

Naptown Scoop:
This Friday will be our final newsletter until December 30 when we’ll pop in with a quick New Year’s Update. We’ll resume normal newsletter operations on January 2 to give these fine folks a well-deserved break.

Western Shore Veterinary Hospital offers your pets the finest wellness care, state-of-the-art diagnostics, dental treatment, and surgery ranging from spays/neuters to sophisticated treatments. You can find them online, by phone at 443-936-0660, or at 910C Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401.

A lot of dogs have Main Character Energy, but Duke here has “Star of Bestselling Children’s Series” energy if we’ve ever seen it. Look at that face! Those ears! He’s like Ted Koppel in a two-year-old Beagle’s body, which is a good thing if you ask us. Duke is known for being a curious lovebug who gets along with everyone, even chickens. He’s housebroken and crate-trained, and thoroughly enjoys being gently wrapped up with bows and placed under Christmas trees, if you get our drift.

Duke is currently available for adoption at the SPCA. Bring home this cuddler before someone else grabs him.

So many of us fell in love with tennis and pickleball on the courts at Truxtun Park, so it’s great to see Annapolis’ favorite public park recognized formally by Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, which set out their annual Champions of Tennis awards this week. Over 30 individuals, associations, and facilities were honored in the announcement, which has been a tradition for the last 25 years. To see the full list, click here.

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Even though an article’s making the rounds right now that boldly proclaims, “the lunch bowl era is over,” nobody told Chipotle. The chain just opened its fourth restaurant near Annapolis on Riva Road. It’s also our first with a “Chipotlane” because Chipotle is too cool for drive-thrus. The new burrito spot is in the Shoppes at Riva in front of the Aventon apartments at 2557 Riva Road, Suite 100. Along with some $1M+ townhomes and the Aventon, Chipotle’s also expecting Paris Baguette as a neighbor. Their opening date is TBA.

The rumor is true: West Elm is coming to the Annapolis Town Center. In a Facebook post on Monday, Annapolis Town Center confirmed the modern furniture/decor company is moving in next to The Shade Store. No details yet on an opening date. Other upcoming Annapolis Town Center additions include women’s boho fashion line Free People and their affiliated workout apparel FP Movement.

Yes, some spots are keeping the lights on and grills firing. Here’s our full list so far:

Our longtime readers may remember our coverage of the Annapolis-based footwear brand Made Plus when it launched its lifestyle shoe line in 2023. For those waiting for the other shoe to drop, you’re in luck — times three. Founder and former Under Armour exec Alan Guyan plans to release three new shoes in 2026, including a high-performance “super shoe” with a carbon fiber plate that gives runners a boost, plus pickleball and training styles. The eco-friendly company, known for American-made shoes using recyclable materials, expects nearly $300,000 in 2025 revenue (doubled its 2024 numbers) despite tariff-related challenges. A new Main Street store and a broader product lineup position Made Plus to continue hitting its stride. ($)

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.

We’re the Halsteads. We’re a mother-daughter travel team ready to help you plan your next unforgettable trip. Travel runs in our family. My dad spent his career with Pan Am, and his love of adventure is a legacy we proudly carry on.

There’s still time to give the gift of travel this holiday season. Imagine next year celebrating in the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, or Asia with grandparents, kids, everyone together. Cruises, all-inclusive escapes, European adventures, African safaris, we make it all happen. Best part? Our planning services are completely complimentary.

Trips full of laughter, memories, and meaningful adventures are what we love to create. Call us or reach out at www.tripcruisers.com. Keep an eye out for our February happy hour, an Alpine winter wonderland you won’t want to miss.

An environmental project three years in the making gets underway tomorrow. The Harness Creek Overlook community is welcoming the Arundel Rivers Federation to break ground on a restoration project they’ve been planning since 2022. They’re turning a stormwater retention pond into what’s being described as a nature-based best management practice. The goals are twofold: Local wildlife to have a healthy habitat and cleaner water flowing into Harness Creek. The groundbreaking ceremony starts tomorrow at 9:30 AM at the intersection of Harness Creek View Court and Cornerstone Drive in Annapolis.

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.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell will present his Fiscal Year 2027 recommendation at tonight's meeting. The board will schedule two public hearings and a public workshop on the recommendation before forwarding it to County Executive Pittman in February. They will also hear an update about the Long Range Facility Master Plan. The complete agenda can be found here. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM in the Board Room of the Carol S. Parham Building. 2644 Riva Road, Annapolis

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What’s the first way? No idea. But the #2 way is definitely luxury bathroom trailers. People have called Royal Flush’s bathrooms the “nicest bathrooms I’ve ever seen” and “better than the bathrooms in my house.” And that’s not made-up marketing talk. Those are real quotes we’ve heard on the job. Want your guests to say the same? Studies show that guests who like the bathrooms donate more⁺. Call Royal Flush at 410-881-6848 to secure the finest bathrooms in town.*

_{⁺ We made this up but the quotes are real}

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

48 🌡️ 33 | ⛅ | 5% | 💨 SW 8 mph (7 knots)

49 🌡️ 46 | ⛅ | 24% | 💨 ESE 7 mph (6 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 39ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Dave Chappell & Friends | 5–7 PM
49 West | Mr VCR & Friends | 7:45–10 PM
Brian Boru | Bobby Reed | 6–9 PM
Galway Bay | Irish Trad Music Session | 8 PM
Killarney House | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Waskey | 6–9 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 6–9 PM
The Point | Aaron Hawkins | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Jay Hurtt VI of Little Bird w/ Skribe | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Steve & Victoria | 9 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | George Jano | 9 PM

49 West | Jazz Wire Jam Session | 7:30–10:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Aiden Ewald | 6–9 PM
Brian Boru | Doug Segree | 6–9 PM
Killarney House | Joe Hickey | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Michael Kocher | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Tyler Hayes | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | Aaron Hawkins | 5 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Fredrico Tubaya Band Jazz | 5 PM

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who packs their slippers while traveling for Christmas (but only if it’s longer than 3 days). It’s me. I’m someone.