Another merchant is closing in the Light Street Pavilion at Harborplace as developers proceed with plans to raze the building to make way for a new development.
The owners of Cuples Tea House and Vinyl and Pages posted on social media this week that they’re planning to depart.
“It is with much thought and reflection that we have made the difficult decision to close Cuples Tea House and Vinyl and Pages at the end of summer 2026,” said owners Lynnette and Eric Dodson. “While we have not come to this decision lightly, we are extremely proud of how far we [have] come, and so thankful to have had the opportunity to serve our community over tea, music, the love of art and the love of books.”
Located on the first level of the Light Street Pavilion at 301 Light Street, the business features a wide range of premium loose-leaf teas and tea accessories, books and vinyl records. The owners’ announcement comes less than a month after the Made in Baltimore store closed in the Light Street Pavilion.
Principals of MCB Real Estate, the owner of Harborplace, announced plans in 2023 to tear down both the Light Street Pavilion and the Pratt Street Pavilion to make way for a $900 million development containing two apartment towers, offices, shops, restaurants and public space. They told a gathering of prospective subcontractors last month that they’re aiming to begin the first phase of construction in the fourth quarter of 2026, including demolition of both pavilions.
Cuples Tea House and Vinyl and Pages has been one of the busier merchants left in the Light Street Pavilion in recent months. All of the merchants are short-term tenants who agreed to vacate their spaces when MCB is ready to move ahead with construction of its replacement project.
The Dodsons said in their social media post that they plan to continue selling teas and books online and at “festivals, farmers markets and pop-ups” after they leave Harborplace, and that their teas are available at local restaurants and hotels. They also stressed that they aren’t closing yet.
“Rather than quietly closing our doors, we’ve decided to spend the remainder of the summer doing what we’ve always loved most: creating meaningful experiences & bringing people together,” they said.
“So over the next couple of months, we’ll be hosting a bunch of special gatherings, tea experiences, community events, book talks and a few surprises as we honor the memories we’ve made and create new ones together. We hope you join us for one last celebration this summer. Come have a cup of tea. Come share a story. Come make one more memory with us before we close our doors.”
