🍦When’s Cracker Barrel opening?

Good morning, Annapolis. This is your annual reminder that socks are not a lame Christmas present. Socks are one of the best Christmas presents. My mom made an entire group chat for everyone to send their sock preferences. I’ll send my answer today, Mom. Promise.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, Duffy Perkins

We’re so excited to share that Dr. Camille Bulte-Choudhry, MD has joined the team at Current Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Annapolis! A Maryland native and board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Bulte-Choudhry trained at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she graduated magna cum laude and completed her dermatology residency.

She brings a warm, patient-focused approach to caring for all skin types—whether you’re looking for help managing a skin condition, a thorough skin-cancer screening, or rejuvenating cosmetic treatments.

Dr. Bulte-Choudhry has immediate availability for new patients, so now’s a great time to schedule your visit!

Book online at currentderm.com or call 410-384-3045 to make an appointment today.

We can’t wait for you to meet her!

Arrr you ready for a Pirate invasion? It was announced yesterday that East Carolina (ECU) and Pitt are rolling into Annapolis for the 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl! It’s Pirate Purple vs. Panther Blue at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on December 27th. ECU’s no stranger to the game, winning last year against NC State, getting canceled on because of Covid in 2021, and losing to Maryland in the 2010 version of the game (back when it was still at RFK Stadium). Pitt’s last time in the Military Bowl was a loss to Navy in 2015.

Don’t forget about the Military Bowl Parade featuring the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. It’s the day before (12/26) at 2:30 PM. Find all the info right here.

It’s Lauren here with a Foodie Friday do-over. I didn’t give Bread & Butter Kitchen’s cocoa the love it deserves — and for that, I’m sorry. The team kindly shared their recipe, and luckily, some mistakes have delicious endings.

Anchors Aweigh back to Memphis! Our Navy Midshipmen are heading to the 67th AutoZone Liberty Bowl on January 2 at 4:30 PM EST. The Mids are very familiar with the stadium having just beaten Memphis there on Thanksgiving Day. It’s their 26th bowl appearance and third Liberty Bowl. The opponent? A familiar, but not too common foe – the Cincinnati Bearcats. Navy and Cincinnati are tied 3-3 in their all-time series with the Bearcats claiming the most recent victory, 20-10 at home in 2022.

If you’re looking for a sweet Near Year’s trip, Memphis BBQ and Navy football sounds like a great combo to us. Tickets start at $80 and the only way to guarantee a seat with other Navy fans is to buy through the Navy ticket office. You can also donate $85 to send a Midshipmen to the game. They’ll probably cheer louder than you.

But Navy’s not focused on the Liberty Bowl just yet. They’re focused on the biggest game of the year against Army this weekend. Kickoff is Saturday, December 13 at 3 PM. Resale seats are down to about $250 each on many sites which honestly isn’t too bad for Army-Navy.

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As of this past weekend, Annapolitans have enjoyed nearly a quarter-century of escaping Maryland and traveling to southern Italy — in spirit, at least. Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano has been serving authentic Italian right in the heart of downtown for 24 years as of Saturday. Congratulations to Erin and her team and here’s to many more years on West Street!

You can visit Luna Blu at 36 West Street 🇮🇹

Is a townhouse community coming to Ritchie Highway? Maybe. Builder D.R. Horton is considering a 130- to 135-unit townhouse subdivision where the Severna Park Golf Center currently is and, per protocol, will hold a community meeting to discuss concerns and solicit input. The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow night at 6 PM at the Severna Park Library — 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park.

ℹ️ D.R. Horton is the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States. The project is in the very early phases. They haven’t even submitted plans or applied for permits yet.

We hope you’re taking your appetites into 2026, because the new year is bringing some new dining options to town.

🍺 First there’s World of Beer at Annapolis Mall (2141 Generals Highway, Annapolis), which officially has an opening date of January 12.

🍕 That will be followed by Wonder (2496 Riva Road, Annapolis), the takeout and delivery food hall originally slated to open in January but now targeting February.

🍗 Finally, there’s Cracker Barrel (175 Jennifer Road, Annapolis), which is close to announcing its opening date — right now, we hear it will be sometime before the end of winter. Not so fun fact: Cracker Barrel has been trying to open in Annapolis for five years. And thank goodness they canceled the rebrand.

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.

School board votes. Local events. Issues that matter to your daily life.

The Baltimore Banner brings you clear, trustworthy local news about the people and stories shaping Annapolis.

Your neighborhood. Your news.

TheBaltimoreBanner.com

TUESDAY

USNA | Brigade Holiday Market | Stop by the Naval Academy’s Dahlgreen Hall for holiday shopping with more than 70 vendors and complimentary light refreshments. | 10 AM–4 PM

THURSDAY

USNA | Naval Academy Band Holiday by the Bay Concert | Naval Academy Band ensembles and guests perform an eclectic mix of seasonal music. | 7:30 PM

FRIDAY

Severna Park | Cookies & Cocoa with Santa | A free night of festive fun with refreshments and live entertainment, plus a visit from Santa, at the Severna Park Community Center. | 5:30–7:30 PM

SATURDAY

Downtown | Santa Speedo Run | Don your skimpiest festive apparel and take to the streets for this 5K beginning and ending at O’Brien’s. Bring an unwrapped toy donation. | 11 AM

St. John’s College | Annapolis Holiday Market | Hundreds of local vendors set up shop for this holiday market featuring story time with Nate Whiting, Accidental Poet. | 11 AM–9 PM

Severna Park | Salty Girl Book Sale | The mobile book boutique (specializing in romance and thrillers) visits Homestead Gardens in Severna Park. | 9 AM–1 PM

Eastport | Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade | Festively illuminated boats make their way along Spa Creek in this much-anticipated holiday tradition. | 6–8 PM

SUNDAY

Annapolis | Heroes Holiday Market | This expanded market features 11 bonus vendors, making it perfect for holiday shopping. | 8–11 AM

Eastport | Firefighters’ Santa Run | The Eastport VFC welcomes Santa as he arrives via fire truck to visit with the children and collect unwrapped toy donations. | 5–7 PM

City Dock | Menorah Lighting | Follow the Parade of Light as it goes from the Safeway on Housley Road to City Dock, where festivities culminate in a grand menorah lighting (plus latkes, doughnuts, and other refreshments). | 5:30 PM

🚗 Lights on the Bay: Drive through this dazzling lights display at Sandy Point State Park any night through New Year’s Day. Proceeds benefit the SPCA.

🛍️ Midnight Madness: Midnight Madness continues the next two Thursdays throughout downtown Annapolis. Stop by all your favorite local businesses for special sales, refreshments, live entertainment, and other merrymaking. The madness starts at 4 PM and goes until midnight this Thursday and 11 PM next Thursday.

🎅 Santapolis at Annapolis Mall: The ultimate way to visit with Santa continues at the Annapolis Mall through Christmas Eve with interactive fun and all kinds of activities. Walk-up visits are available but we recommend reservations.

🚂 Homestead Gardens train display: Nothing makes you feel more like a kid on Christmas morning than an elaborate model train display like the ones they have at Homestead Gardens. Stop by either the Davidsonville or Severna Park location to see the finest displays around.

🅿️ Free parking downtown: Don’t forget there’s free parking available downtown through New Year’s Day. You get two free hours of metered/kiosk street parking or one hour at designated garages with the ParkMobile app.

🇮🇪 Galway Bay’s eggnog sale: Galway Bay’s authentic eggnog is made in the heart of the Irish countryside and is available only during the holidays. You can order your bottle (or bottles) online and pick up at the restaurant. Makes a great gift!

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.

On Friday, we mentioned we would have an update on the first meeting for the newly inaugurated City Council. (Reminder: It’s tonight at 6 PM at City Council Chambers — 160 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis.) Tonight’s meeting will include votes on standing committee assignments and a one-year moratorium on new short-term rental licenses. See the full agenda, and remember you can submit testimony online ahead of tonight’s meeting.

What’s a moratorium? If approved, this would be a one-year pause on licenses for short-term rentals (STR), which you must have to operate an STR within city limits. People renewing their licenses, living in their property six or more months annually, or only renting for USNA graduation and boat shows will be excepted.

City Council capped short-term rentals this past fall at no more than 10% of the homes on one side of a city block. The problem? About half of the short-term rental properties in Annapolis are operating without licenses. ($)

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The holidays are coming — are your windows ready? Blue Heron Property Services will clear away dirt, streaks, and grime so your home shines inside and out. Their professional window cleaning makes every room brighter, cozier, and more welcoming for guests. Scoop readers get a special holiday discount when they book now. Annapolis homeowners trust Blue Heron Property Services to make their homes sparkle — yours could be next. Get your free estimate today.*

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

35 🌡️ 23 | ☁️ | 1% | 💨 NNE 15 mph (13 knots)

36 🌡️ 34 | ⛅ | 2% | 💨 SE 10mph (9 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 46ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

49 West | The December Jingle Pop Up Show | 7:30–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | I Hear Thunder Tour w/ Jesse Dayton | 8 PM | Tickets

49 West | Seth Mitchell Band & Friends | 7:30–10 PM
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Point | Aidan Ewaldi | 5–8 PM
Rams Head On Stage | The Gilmour Project  | 8 PM | Tickets

Well, that didn’t take long — after Navy Athletics announced it wouldn’t be renewing the contract of Coach Tim O’Donohue, the search for a new soccer coach lasted only three weeks. Now Navy athletic director Michael Kelly has announced his first hire since becoming athletic director earlier this year. John Hackworth — most recently the director of coaching and technical director of Major League Soccer’s St. Louis City SC — comes to the Naval Academy to be the seventh coach in the 105-year history of men’s soccer. He brings 30 years of experience, including time as a professional soccer player himself. ($)

Women's Basketball (5-4)
12/7 vs. Iona | L 67-61

Men's Basketball (6-5)
12/7 vs. Air Force | W 61-56

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Thanks for reading Naptown Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who’s closing on a new house this week.