The Charles Street Promenade is coming back on Saturday.
The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore announced Monday that Charles Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between Saratoga Street and Mount Royal Avenue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. so pedestrians can shop, dine or just stroll without cars getting in their way.
This will be the third time Charles Street has been closed to help promote businesses up and down the corridor, following one-day events in October 2020 and May 2021. According to the Downtown Partnership, the first two Promenades “were so successful with the public that, in surveys, the majority of respondents wanted to see the event happen every month.”
According to organizers, closing the street helps achieve two goals: First, it benefits small and independent shops and restaurants along Charles Street that are still recovering from the COVID-19 shutdowns. And second, it helps Baltimoreans change the way they think about public space by creating a better balance between people and cars, even if only for a day.
During the Promenade, pedestrians will be able to shop at dozens of local boutiques and galleries, and dine in one of several outdoor parklets. All current Baltimore City COVID guidelines about masking and group sizes will be in place.
Several organizations team up with the Downtown Partnership to make the Promenade happen, including the City of Baltimore, Central Baltimore Partnership, Charles Street Development, Guppy Management, Midtown Community Benefits District, Mt. Vernon Belvedere Association, and the Mt. Vernon Place Conservancy.
A list of businesses planning special promotions and other information about the Promenade are available at: www.CharlesStreetPromenade.com.
