🍦The latest with Annapolis Town Center

Good morning, Annapolis. Today is the 124th anniversary of the first time anyone ever went over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The fact that it was the first raises a lot of questions for us about exactly how many people would do something like that. 🤔

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

So, it seems Urbano and Cavalli aren’t the only ATC businesses moving on. Recently it was reported Stardust Deluxe Boutique and Baltimore Coffee and Bean are leaving. Stardust is moving to Maryland Avenue, while Baltimore Coffee and Bean is closing now with the hopes of opening somewhere else in the near future. This comes just a week after the announcement Federal Realty purchased the Town Center for $187 million. Anchor brands Lifetime Fitness, Target, Whole Foods, and Anthropologie all seem set to stay put.

Tell us: What do you think the Town Center needs in its next retail tenants?

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🚧 A wider I-97? The state plans to spend $114M widening seven miles of I-97 between Millersville and Annapolis, adding a lane in each direction to ease traffic. Design should begin in 2027, construction in 2028. ($)

🏈 Navy Football moves closer to being ranked: We’ll say this with our megaphone again! 📣 Navy earned 28 AP poll votes, placing them No. 30 nationally. The 6-0 Mids aim for a 7-0 start when they host FAU tomorrow for Homecoming at 3:30 PM. ($)

Monday: What ward am I?
Tuesday: Naptown Flea Market
Wednesday: EYC Lights Parade Artists' Reception
Thursday: What’s Up Witches hits Maryland Avenue

This is way better than an awkward happy hour if you ask us. To celebrate their 50th reunion, more than 20 members of the USNA Class of 1975 rode 1,200 miles from Apalachicola, Florida, to Annapolis. In doing so, they raised over $160,000 for five charities. “If you can imagine a bunch of 72-year-olds riding bicycles,” Gary Jones, a retired rear admiral and vice president for the Naval Academy Class of 1975, told the Capital. “Some of these guys have been practicing for more than a year and put about 5,000 miles on their bicycles in anticipation of doing this.” ($)

Science fairs have come a long way since the days of volcanoes exploding with baking soda and vinegar. The AACPS Regional Science and Engineering Expo features all the best and brightest of the next generation of coders, computer scientists, regular scientists, engineers, and more. But it needs sponsors to help make this event even cooler than dry ice. If you can help out, click here and choose Science Expo. Your donation can pay for Science Snacks and go as far as helping the teams compete in the national expo, held in Phoenix, Arizona, in early 2026.

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As the Scoop’s resident Maryland Avenue junkie, Duffy’s always quick to tell us where to find the best spots for a bite. We asked for inspo, and she delivered.

Galway Bay is an institution for late-night shenanigans, but their lunches are to die for. Saddle up at the bar for a Guinness (or a Guinness Zero) and order the Half and Half — tomato-whiskey soup and a half cheddar-bacon sandwich. The Irish concept of bacon is entirely different from the American one. Vegetarians will love the Potato Leek Soup with a side of Irish soda bread, which is enough carbs to run a marathon but still somehow healthy.

Speaking of potatoes, don’t sleep on Potato Valley. The State House employees brag about how often they eat here, and for good reason. The food is faster than Chipotle. The Chicken and Cheddar comes with a heap of veggies and crunchy onions, while the Artichoke Mix is so good the owner eats it daily and still isn’t tired of it. Don’t let them forget the garlic butter.

Upstairs at Harry Browne’s is a bit of a secret local spot. Pass by all the tourists and politicians eating steak on the sidewalk and instead order a pizza from the bar upstairs. They have unique combos, pairing things like apples and brie, or pulled pork and pineapple (trust us, it works). And they respect crust at Harry Browne’s, refusing to serve those oversized crackers masquerading as pizza. We’re huge fans.

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.

Forest Drive | SOFO’s final drive-in movie night of the year (plus costume party) | Come for Moana 2 in the Bay Ridge Plaza parking lot, but stay for the costume party, food from Grump’s, and more. Walk-ups are free | Friday (10/24) from 6:30 PM on (movie starts at dusk).

Annapolis | AND Creative Film Club presents Nosferatu, the 1922 classic of German Expressionist cinema. Friday (10/24) at 6 PM at AND Creative Studio, 1851 McGuckian St.

Truxtun Park | Pip Moyer Rec Center’s Harvest Festival is a fun family event with face painting, a spooky magic show, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, and more Halloween fun on Saturday (10/25). Free but register in advance. 10 AM to 2 PM at Pip Moyer Rec Center at Truxtun Park.

Annapolis | USNA Football (6-0) takes on Florida Atlantic (3-4). Kickoff is at 3:30 PM. Saturday, Oct. 25.

West St, Maryland Ave, and Main St | Annapolis Scarecrow Stroll 2025 | Starting Oct. 25 through Nov. 2, scarecrows line DTA streets. Vote for your fav with #AnnapolisScarecrowStroll2025.

Downtown Classic Movie Night at the Reynolds Tavern features the 1974 comedic-horror classic Young Frankenstein. Sunday, Oct. 26 at dusk.

As always, check out our Halloween Happenings Guide for seasonal events. And don’t miss these new additions to our list:

Crownsville | Haunted Barn & Hayride | It’s not happening Halloween weekend so get your thrills in this weekend | Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Downtown | Hammond-Harwood House Pumpkin Walk | Much less scary. Put the whole family in costumes and follow Frolic the Fox on a costume parade around the historic Hammond-Harwood House | Friday, Oct. 24, 4 PM–6 PM.

Grab your clippers. Save Our Trees, a program of the Watershed Academy Stewards, takes to the streets this weekend — specifically, Rowe Boulevard. There, they’ll remove invasive vines from trees 9:45 AM–noon on Saturday. This is one of several vine removal operations that group has on the calendar. If you can’t make it Saturday, they’ll be working at Mago Vista Park on Nov. 1 and Brewer Hill on Nov. 8. Sign up.

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.

The City Council will meet on Monday at 6 PM in City Council Chambers (160 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis) to discuss several important pieces of legislation. These include resolutions re: fines for those who fail to clear snow and ice from city sidewalks. There will also be discussion of the Market House lease and ranked-choice voting in city elections. See the full agenda or sign up to testify.

The Discovery Village boat ramp in Shady Side closed for public use July 1, but recently the county announced a new deal between the Department of Recreation and Parks and Parish Creek Marina to keep the ramp open through July 2027. The terms of the new agreement eliminate long-term liabilities included in the previous lease, and will save the county more than $1.5 million over the next 21 months.

At Monday’s County Council meeting, the council passed legislation including Bill 77-25, which adjusts county job classifications and staffing balances, as well as Bill 67-25, which concerns clearing/pruning rules for trees and vegetation. They adopted Resolution 29-25, directing Inspections & Permits to create a user-friendly forest conservation easement manual for homeowners/HOAs, and Resolution 30-25, which puts a charter amendment question on the 2026 ballot regarding union bargaining for county contracts. Some legislation, such as Bill 81-25, which would update how the county evaluates traffic impacts from new developments, was pushed to the Nov. 3 meeting while the council seeks further input. Watch the entire meeting to hear any discussion of these or other pieces of legislation.

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61 🌡️ 44 | 🌤️ | 4% | 💨 WNW 11 (10 knots)

59 🌡️ 47 | ⛅ | 6% | 💨 NNW 6 (5 knots)

57 🌡️ 48 | ⛅ | 4% | 💨 NE 6 (5 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 63ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | Lonesome October | 8–10 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Davidson Exchange | 8:30 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Dan Haas Trio | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Doug Segree | 7–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Jimmy Solesky | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Mook Jones | 5–8 PM
Galway Bay | The Langer's Ball | 7–10 PM
Great Frogs | Sophie Bernitt | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Faith and The Faithful | 7:30–10:30 PM
The Lodge | Aaron Hawkins | 8–11 PM
Market House | Adam Forbes | 8:30–11:30 PM
Market Space | Marianne Styles | 6–9 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | The Goat Charmers | 7–10 PM
Old Stein Inn | Eddie Pasa | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Pete Best | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Thomas Dolby | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Black & Tan | 8 PM
Rams Head Tavern | George Evans | 5 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Michael Miller | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Fessup | 9:45 PM

49 West | October Pines | 7:30–10 PM
Blackwall Hitch | Bravenoise | 9 PM
Brian Boru | The Loose Cannons | 7–10 PM
The Choptank | Patrick Donovan | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Tension 9 | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Joe Esham | 1:30–4:30 PM
Great Frogs | Alexander Peters | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | The Langer's Ball | 7:30–10:30 PM
Market Space | Mike Sharp | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern | Shatners | 10 PM
Mother’s Peninsula Grille | Kirk Kness | 7–10 PM
Pirates Cove | Lost and Found | 7:30–10:30 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Tall Tall Trees w/ Christopher Paul Stelling | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head On Stage | Four80East | 8 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | The Loose Ends | 9 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Desperately Seeking Awesome | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Michael Miller | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Severn River Band | 9:45 PM

49 West | Veronneau | 7–9 PM
Brian Boru | The Langer's Ball | 4–7 PM
Galway Bay | The Drinker & The Scholar | 4–8 PM
Great Frogs | Aidan Ewald | 1:30–4:30 PM
The Lodge | Aaron Hawkins | 11 AM – 2 PM
Market House | Meg Murray | 5–8 PM
Market Space | Brian Peacock | 2–6 PM
Middleton Tavern | Demi Star Band | 10 PM
Old Stein Inn | The Polka Terps | 2–5 PM
Pirates Cove | Aaron Hawkins | 3–6 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Marshall Morlock Band | 8 PM | Tickets
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Viands & Co | 9 PM

Pardon us while we puff our chests — this update is about one of Navy’s star athletes. We’re basically that parent with a bumper sticker, and this is our honor roll student.

Senior quarterback and co-captain Blake Horvath was named one of 16 finalists for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, aka the “Academic Heisman.” An Operations Research major with a 3.69 GPA, Blake has guided Navy to a 6-0 start after leading the Mids to a 10-3 record and Armed Forces Bowl victory in 2024. He’s the 11th Navy player to earn this honor, recognizing excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership. Finalists receive an $18K postgrad scholarship; the winner (announced December 9) gets his scholarship bumped to $25K. GO, BLAKE! BEAT EVERYONE!

Fun Fact: Past honorees include actor Mark Harmon, astronaut Michael Hopkins, and NFL stars Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins.

Baseball
10/26 @ Saint Joseph's | 11:30 AM

Men's Basketball 
10/26 vs. FDU | 1 PM

Football (6-0)
10/25 vs. FAU | 3:30 PM

Women's Rugby (3-4)
10/25 @ Army | 12 Noon

Men's Rugby (4-0)
10/25 @ No. 10 Penn State | 4 PM

Women's Soccer (9-5-3)
10/24 vs. Lafayette | 5 PM

Men's Soccer (3-6-6)
10/25 @ Loyola | 1 PM

Women's Volleyball (8-10)
10/24 vs. Lafayette | 7 PM
10/25 vs. Lehigh | 7:30 PM

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone daring enough to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel.