🍦POLL: Is Atlas good for Annapolis?

Good morning, Annapolis. There’s nothing quite like when there are no parking spots left and someone pulls out just as you turn down the aisle. It’s like. . . wait a minute. . . I can’t compare it to something. I literally just said there’s nothing like it. Anyhow, onto today’s newsletter. Don’t mind me.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Ryan Sneddon

For 70 years, 84 Lumber has been a trusted partner for homeowners, builders, and contractors by providing quality building materials and dependable service. The Annapolis location continues that tradition by serving the community with the products, expertise, and personalized support needed to bring projects of every size to life.

Whether you're building a custom home, tackling a renovation, or sourcing materials for your next jobsite, the team at 84 Lumber is committed to helping customers find the right solutions from start to finish.

As a local supplier backed by the strength of a national company, 84 Lumber is proud to support the builders and homeowners shaping the future of the Annapolis community.

Visit the Annapolis location at 1690 Balt-Annapolis Boulevard or contact Store Manager Bill McDonald at 724-831-6856 or [email protected] for a free estimate.

Atlas Restaurant Group went from zero Annapolis restaurants to five in five years. And they opened (or bought) the last four this year alone.

📅 Takeover timeline: The Baltimore group opened The Choptank at the long-vacant former Fawcett Boat Supplies in summer 2022. A year and change later, Pusser’s revealed its closure and Atlas announced a multimillion-dollar renovation on the same day. Three months after that, Mission BBQ closed in the old Stevens Hardware building. Atlas leased it eight months later.

Everything above is now operational. Mission BBQ turned into the Admiral’s Cup. Marmo (an Italian chophouse) and Armada (a dockside cantina) opened at the Waterfront Hotel last week. Atlas runs the hotel’s event venue as well.

But the real kitchen coup came this January, when Dick Franyo sold Atlas a majority stake in his iconic Boatyard Bar & Grill. He said they “understand what makes this place special” and were committed to preserving it.

🕵️ Rumor reel: Several trusted sources tell us Atlas has leased the Ruth’s Chris space in Eastport since the steakhouse is moving to Annapolis Town Center. Atlas personnel confirmed they are “exploring it” but said it’s not a done deal.

So what we want to know is this.

Is Atlas good for Annapolis? If you have the time, we’d appreciate some well-thought-out written comments as well. We’ll share the results on Friday.

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Team Naptown Scoop Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS progress: $12,623/$20,000

They already told us about Young the Giant. They already told us about Josiah and the Bonnevilles, Valerie June, and Maggie Rose. Now Rams Head’s revealed all 115+ artists performing at the Annapolis Songwriters Festival.

🎙️ Originals only: Our local Songwriters Festival is based on (and produced by the folks behind) the legendary Key West Songwriters Festival. And while some great musicians – George Strait, for example – didn’t write most of “their” songs, ASF is for original, self-written songs.

Songwriters also does a fantastic job involving local artists. And I’ve always believed Annapolis punches out of its weight class on that front. Locals we think will blow you away include Nate Finn, Daphne Eckman, Dan Haas, Jimi Haha, Jordan Sokel, and Skribe. This is by no means an exhaustive list and we apologize for leaving any talented locals out.

The Annapolis Songwriters Festival is September 10–13 at venues across town. Tickets are currently on sale for headliners only and range from $60–100 for GA and $270 for VIP (Young the Giant only).

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🎈 = family-friendly events

🎶 Tides & Tunes: Sweet Leda - Free outdoor concert with rockin’ soul vibes at the Annapolis Maritime Museum. Bring your own cup (zero-waste event), grab some food truck grub, and enjoy the sunset.

🎈🎶 Thursday Night LIVE!: Mambo Combo - Latin rhythms take over Annapolis Town Center for this free weekly outdoor concert series.

🎬 AND Creative Film Club: The Golem (1920) - Silent film classic at AND Creative Studio in the Design District, with live score by Adrian Bond and atmospheric projections. Pre-film discussion and post-screening conversation included.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Eight brand-new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Pirates, aliens, existential crises, and questionable life choices—all for $10.

🎈🍽️ Food Truck Fridays - 12+ food trucks serving up diverse cuisines at the weekly rally on Harry S. Truman Parkway. Free admission, family-friendly.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Afternoon matinee of eight new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Just $10.

🎈🐮 Anne Arundel County Farmers Market - Fresh produce, meats, dairy, tacos, coffee, and baked goods from local vendors.

🎈🎶 Concert at Quiet Waters Park: Black-Eyed Suzies - Free bluegrass at the park’s summer concert series, 6–8 PM, with BBQ and Italian ice food trucks on site.

📚 Anne Arundel County Literacy Council Book Drive - Drive-up drop-off for gently used books. Proceeds benefit free adult education programs. No textbooks or reference materials, please.

🎈🎨 Annapolis Artisans Market - Two warehouses packed with vintage finds, art, furniture, clothing, jewelry, and pottery. Meet the artisans and enjoy food and drinks while you shop.

🎶 Laura Brino & Carly Winter (matinee) - Two Annapolis songwriters co-headline at Rams Head On Stage, celebrating Laura’s new album (which you can also hear at the Songwriters Festival) and Carly’s Nashville move.

🎭 CP presents 10 Minute Play Festival - Final matinee of eight new 10-minute plays from local playwrights at Colonial Players Theater. Just $10.

🎈🐮 Anne Arundel County Farmers Market - Sunday morning market with fresh produce, meats, dairy, and crafts from local vendors.

🎈🎨 Annapolis Artisans Market - Two warehouses full of vintage finds, art, furniture, and more. Meet artisans and enjoy food and drinks.

🎶 Celebrate Summer with SoulJourners - Fundraiser for the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival featuring the SoulJourners band. Shows at 4 PM and 6 PM, with complimentary drinks and America’s 250th birthday cake.

🎶 Maryland Hall Presents BloomHaven: JoGo Project & Pressure Band - Go-go meets jazz in this high-energy outdoor concert on the Maryland Hall lawn. BBQ vibes, summer nights, and kids 12 and under attend free.

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🚴 $1,431 To Go – The Coast 2 Coast 4 ALS ride got HUGE news this week: a $100,000 gift from the McCormick Family Foundation pushed the total raised to $498,569 – just $1,431 shy of the $500,000 goal. Help Annapolis carry Rex across the line: at Annapolis Rides for ALS (Thursday, July 30, 4:30–6:30 PM at the Annapolis Yacht Club), 100 supporters sponsoring $100 per mile will power the final 100 miles to Dewey Beach. Register here.

🎨 Follow The Painted Road – Muralist Henley Beall has turned the Craig Street sidewalk into a work of art. It’s the only walk-in route to Latitude 38, Sofi’s Crepes, and their neighbors while City Dock construction fencing surrounds the block, and the mural’s job is to pull foot traffic back to storefronts that are easy to miss right now. Go for the art, stay for a crepe.

🏃 Run For The Light House – Registration is open for the Annapolis Run for The Light House on Sunday, September 20 – a half marathon and 5K through Quiet Waters Park that funds The Light House shelter’s work fighting homelessness in Annapolis. The 5K is $54 through September 1. Register here.

📊 Crunching The Numbers – The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation released its Q1 2026 economic indicators report, the county’s quarterly checkup on jobs, housing, and everything in between. Breaking it down:

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80 🌡️ 68 | ☀️ | 3% ☔ | 💨 NE 10 mph (9 knots)

82 🌡️ 68 | 🌤️ | 3% ☔ | 💨 E 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 82ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Spilling Pictures Presents: TBA | 7:30–10 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | Dan Heely | 7–10 PM
🌳🎵AMM Tides & Tunes | Sweet Leda | 7–9 PM
🌳🎵Annapolis Town Center | Mambo Combo | 6:30–8:30 PM
Beer Farm | Mike Heuer | 5–8 PM
Brian Boru | Ray Wroten | 6–9 PM
Dark Horse | Hyland Brothers | 9 PM
Killarney House | Aaron Hawkins | 6–9 PM
La Sierra | TBA | 5:30–8:30 PM
The Lodge | Moe Stringz Steel Pan Duo | 5:30 PM
Market House | Ben McNulty | 7–10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Charles Fuller | 7 PM
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Hell’s Belles | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Mike Miller | 5 PM

49 West | Justin Lees Jazz Trio | 8–10 PM
The Admiral’s Cup | Ken Gutberlet, LoveDrunk | 3:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Mixed Business | 8:30 PM
Beer Farm | Michael McHenry | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Mike Sharp | 9 PM
Brian Boru | The Loose Cannons | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Dan Heely | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Dave Tieff | 4–7 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Tension | 9 PM
Galway Bay | Sam O’Hare | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Guava Jelly | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | O'McPub Band | 7:30–10:30 PM
Libbey's Coastal Kitchen | Greg Seybold | 5–8 PM
Market House | Michael K | 8–11 PM
Market Space | Hurricane Kevin | 6–9 PM
Middleton Tavern | Moon Cherry | 10 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Marion Meadows & Alex Bugnon | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Tavern | Jonathan Viers | 9 PM
Reynolds Tavern | Noah Booz | 7–8 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Red Betty and the Ruckus | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Macheat | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Chris Button | 4 PM
Stan & Joe's Saloon | Mr. VCR | 9:45 PM
🌳🎵Watermark Annapolis Sunset Cruise | Daphne Eckman | 8–9:30 PM | Tickets

Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who packs running shoes in their work bag for power walks during lunch.