Hampden’s comeback as a successful retail & dining locale has been credited largely to restauranteur Denise Whiting, who in the early 90s opened her quirky Café Hon on 36th street with a celebratory (if not slightly mocking) acknowledgment of the area’s traditional personalities.
Other entrepreneurs followed suit, opening shops and restaurants along “The Avenue” creating Baltimore’s most unique shopping location. But while Whiting is credited for re-starting the neighborhood, the shops holding our interest there are often largely taken for granted.
The quantity of good restaurants, in fact, seems to multiply with every season in the quirky neighborhood, but many retail stores come and go. All the more impressive then, that locally owned Trohv Home & Gift has remained a keystone to the neighborhood’s personality for as long as it has. With its ambitious, immaculate window displays, beautifully curated gifts, and eclectic furniture, Trohv has kept the bar high for aesthetics and quality. They have shown admirable support of local artists, and are the absolute go-to place for unique gift-buying in Baltimore. Even in an ever-changing neighborhood, it’s hard to remember a time Hampden existed without them. That time, in fact, was a full decade ago! The store celebrates 10 years in Baltimore this weekend, with an anniversary open house.
Sunday, October 23 from 11-3p, Trohv hosts a party featuring music, local snacks and libations, and more. DJ Daniel Biltmore will be spinning music. Local photo booth wonder, Side A Photography, will be setting up a custom photo booth. Also in attendance: bubbly libations, a Bloody Mary bar, doughnuts from B Doughnut, scratch-off luckies, giveaways, and lots of cheer!
If that’s not enough to make you want to come out, local illustrator/author Andrea Pippins will be signing her new book “becoming me.”
While larger commercial ventures pop up around the city, and chain stores make their way to other neighborhoods, Hampden has remained a refreshing celebration of small business, and all things Baltimore. Trohv has kept us all honest about what it means to truly shop local, and helped us appreciate doing so. Here’s wishing them many decades more.
The Village of Cross Keys is a proud sponsor of The Rack. The Village of Cross Keys offers some of Baltimore’s Best shopping, dining and a Radisson hotel within a beautiful courtyard setting. Shop your holidays at The Keys!
