Hampden
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Although Hampden is one of a hundred unique neighborhoods in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, it's the one that exudes Charm City flavor more than any other. Here you'll find a collection of everything Baltimore from nostalgic kitsch to the ultrahip to the wonderfully tacky. Hampdenites are proud of their pink flamingos, beehive hairdo wigs, and frequent use of the word Hon. On a national level, the town's claim to fame was cemented in the 1998 comedy, Pecker by director and Baltimore native John Waters. Check it out for a good idea of Hampden's quirkiness.
Hampden got its start as a mill town and has strong roots as a blue collar enclave. Today, a more diverse set of people are moving into the area, including everyone from artists to young professionals to college kids attending one of the nearby schools such as Johns Hopkins, Loyola, or Notre Dame. This is all leading to the area's gentrification.
As the area changes, people's attitudes toward Baltimore's quirky side continues to change as well. Some residents are now resentful that Hampdenites are celebrating tackiness and fashions that have long been out of vogue. They believe that the area has plenty to offer culturally and this is being overshadowed by Hampden's pink flamingos and beehive hairdos. It's a debate that won't be resolved anytime soon.
Hampden's Main Street is West 36th Street or the "Avenue" as Hampdenites like to call it. In fact they will sometimes stress that it's the real Avenue, a way to thumb their noses at a nearby suburban shopping center that goes by the same name. In recent years, the Avenue has really taken off with the addition of dozens of fun shops and eateries. Many are located in the old row homes that have come to typify Baltimore with merchandise sitting out on the front porches and underneath awnings. The rest of the city and suburbs have noticed the changes in Hampden and now many from around the region visit the area to go shopping and dining. Or maybe they just want to site-see and people-watch in a neighborhood that is the most distinctly Baltimore.
Retail Hours
Most stores are open seven days a week, with a few being closed on Mondays. Also, most stores are open until about 7:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking
Parking is not hard to find on the side streets or even on the Avenue itself. However, most spaces are metered. They feature a new kind of parking meter that is widely used in the City of Baltimore. You pay at a vending machine and then display the ticket you receive on the dashboard of your car. The machines take change or credit cards but not bills. Also spaces on the Avenue have been reconfigured at an angle. You'll have to back into those spots, so be prepared.
Events
Hampden's big festival is HonFest which is held every June and lasts for an entire weekend. Come down to enjoy the food and music, but also to check out the beehive hairdos and garish sixties style wardrobes and sunglasses.
Hampden also hosts an arts and music festival on the second Saturday of September called Hampdenfest. It boasts live music, art, vendors, food, local microbrew beer, The Regional Beard and Mustache Competition, and the Toilet Bowl Derby.
Hampden throws First Fridays, which takes place on the first Friday of every month. Shops are open late and live entertainment and music is provided.
During the holidays, visit 34th Street just two blocks south of the Avenue for an out of this world Christmas lights display. The entire block of rowhomes gets in on the act that some call a Miracle on 34th Street.
Tips
Hampden is just off I-83 which runs through the heart of Baltimore City, so when you're done in Hampden, you can head south to enjoy the nightlife at the Inner Harbor or Fells Point in less than ten minutes.
Directions
Hampden is located in the city of Baltimore, Maryland and is approximately 43 miles away from Washington, DC and 109 miles away from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
From points north, take the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) to the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83) south towards Baltimore. Take exit 9A for Cold Spring Lane. Turn left onto West Cold Spring Lane to head east. Make a right onto Falls Road (Maryland Route 25) to head south. Turn left onto West 36th Street, which is The Avenue.
From points south, take the Baltimore Washington Parkway (Maryland Route 295) north into the city. Turn right onto West Pratt Street. Turn left onto South President Street, which will turn into the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83). Take Exit 8 to head north on Falls Road (Maryland Route 25). Turn right onto West 36th Street, which is The Avenue.
External Links
Directory
Accessories
Angela Lynn Boutique (840 West 36th Street, 410-235-4446)
Doubledutch Boutique (3616 Falls Road, 410-554-0055)
Earth Alley (3602 Elm Avenue, 410-366-2110)
Kiss N' Make-Up (827 West 36th Street, 410-467-5477)
K Staton (817 West 36th Street, 410-400-9113)
Lynne's Gifts (817 West 36th Street, 410-467-1613)
Milagro (1005 West 36th Street, 410-235-3800)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Adult
Sugar (927 West 36th Street, 410-467-2632)
Antiques
Antique Exchange (3545 Chestnut Avenue, 410-532-7000)
Avenue Antiques (901 West 36th Street, 410-467-0329)
Charlotte Elliott (837 West 36th Street, 410-243-0990)
David's (914 West 36th Street, 410-467-8159)
Hampden Junque (1006 West 36th Street, 410-889-6453)
Millbrook Antiques (859 West 36th Street, 410-235-7655)
Paradiso (1015 West 36th Street, 410-243-1317)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Sturgis Antiques (3554 Roland Avenue, 410-262-5383)
Apparel
Angela Lynn Boutique (840 West 36th Street, 410-235-4446)
Doubledutch Boutique (3616 Falls Road, 410-554-0055)
Form A Designer's Boutique (1115 West 36th Street, 410-889-3116)
Have Fun Be Lucky (820 West 36th Street, 410-235-5930)
K Staton (817 West 36th Street, 410-400-9113)
Lynne's Gifts (817 West 36th Street, 410-467-1613)
Minas Gallery and Boutique (815 West 36th Street, 410-732-4258)
Arts and Crafts
Lovelyarns (846 West 36th Street, 410-662-9276)
Books
Atomic Books (3620 Falls Road, 410-662-4444)
Breath Books (810 West 36th Street, 410-235-7323)
Coffee and Dessert
Common Ground Cafe (819 West 36th Street, 410-235-5533)
Daniela (900 West 36th Street, 443-759-9320)
HONtown (1002 West 36th Street, 410-243-1230)
Ma Petite Shoe (832 West 36th Street, 410-235-3442)
Roland Park Bakery & Deli (3500 Chestnut Avenue, 410-235-4422)
Dining
Angelo's Carryout (3600 Keswick Road, 410-235-2595)
Asian Taste (916 West 36th Street, 410-467-0100)
Baltimore Burger Bar (830 West 36th Street, 410-878-1266)
Cafe Hon (1002 West 36th Street, 410-243-1230)
Daniela (900 West 36th Street, 443-759-9320)
David's Restaurant & Deli (3626 Falls Road, 410-662-7779)
The Dogwood (911 West 36th Street, 410-889-0952)
Frazier's on the Avenue (919 West 36th Street, 410-662-4914)
Friend Kitchen (1103 West 36th Street, 410-366-6627)
Golden West Cafe (1105 West 36th Street, 410-889-8891)
Grano Pasta Bar (1031 West 36th Street, 443-869-3429)
Holy Frijoles (908 West 36th Street, 410-235-BEAN)
King's Pizza and Subs (907 West 36th Street, 410-889-3663)
Roland Park Bakery & Deli (3500 Chestnut Avenue, 410-235-4422)
The Verandah (842 West 36th Street, 410-889-0999)
Eyewear
Eye Candy Opticianry (849 West 36th Street, 410-889-0607)
Florists
Village Flower Mart (3601 Chestnut Avenue, 410-235-0404)
Footwear
Angela Lynn Boutique (840 West 36th Street, 410-235-4446)
Ma Petite Shoe (832 West 36th Street, 410-235-3442)
Framing
Fleckenstein Gallery (3316 Keswick Road , 410-366-3669)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Galleries
Antreasean Gallery (1111 West 36th Street, 410-235-4420)
834 on the Block (834 West 36th Street, 410-243-3834)
Fleckenstein Gallery (3316 Keswick Road , 410-366-3669)
Minas Gallery and Boutique (815 West 36th Street, 410-732-4258)
Razzo (911 West 36th Street, 410-948-6062)
Gift Shops
Angela Lynn Boutique (840 West 36th Street, 410-235-4446)
Atomic Books (3620 Falls Road, 410-662-4444)
Earth Alley (3602 Elm AVenue, 410-366-2110)
Hanging on a Whim (828 West 36th Street, 410-467-3233)
HONtown (1002 West 36th Street, 410-243-1230)
Kiss N' Make-Up (827 West 36th Street, 410-467-5477)
Lynne's Gifts (817 West 36th Street, 410-467-1613)
Milagro (1005 West 36th Street, 410-235-3800)
Minas Gallery and Boutique (815 West 36th Street, 410-732-4258)
Mud and Metal (1121 West 36th Street, 410-467-8698)
Paradiso (1015 West 36th Street, 410-243-1317)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Razzo (911 West 36th Street, 410-948-6062)
Trohv (921 West 36th Street, 410-366-3456)
Health and Beauty
In Watermelon Sugar (3555 Chestnut Avenue, 410-662-9090)
Kiss N' Make-Up (827 West 36th Street, 410-467-5477)
Lynne's Gifts (817 West 36th Street, 410-467-1613)
MissiKibelbek Licensed Massage Therapy (822 West 36th Street, Second Floor, 410-889-7107)
ReNew Organic Skin Care (822 West 36th Street, 410-400-2745)
Home Furnishings
Antique Exchange (3545 Chestnut Avenue, 410-532-7000)
Charlotte Elliott (837 West 36th Street, 410-243-0990)
David's (914 West 36th Street, 410-467-8159)
Hanging on a Whim (828 West 36th Street, 410-467-3233)
In Watermelon Sugar (3555 Chestnut Avenue, 410-662-9090)
Mud and Metal (1121 West 36th Street, 410-467-8698)
Paradiso (1015 West 36th Street, 410-243-1317)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Trohv (921 West 36th Street, 410-366-3456)
Wild Yam Pottery (863 West 36th Street, 410-662-1123)
Jewelry
Angela Lynn Boutique (840 West 36th Street, 410-235-4446)
Crystals, Candles & Cauldrons (927-B West 36th Street, 410-467-4111)
Doubledutch Boutique (3616 Falls Road, 410-554-0055)
Earth Alley (3602 Elm Avenue, 410-366-2110)
Hanging on a Whim (828 West 36th Street, 410-467-3233)
Lynne's Gifts (817 West 36th Street, 410-467-1613)
Milagro (1005 West 36th Street, 410-235-3800)
The Pearl Gallery (826 West 36th Street, 410-467-2260)
Razzo (911 West 36th Street, 410-948-6062)
Music
The True Vine Record Shop (3544 Hickory Avenue, 410-235-4500)
New Age
Crystals, Candles & Cauldrons (927-B West 36th Street, 410-467-4111)
Pets
Howl (3531 Chestnut Avenue, 410-235-2469)
Toys and Games
Atomic Books (3620 Falls Road, 410-662-4444)
Wine
13.5% Wine Bar (1117 West 36th Street, 410-889-1064)
The Wine Source (3601 Elm Avenue, 410-467-7777)
Comments
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COMMENTS (3)
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Please go to the Contact Us page to report abuse. Thank you.
In response to giddybmoregirl's comment about parking. The HVMA - the Hampden Village Merchants Association stresses to all of its 165+ business members that metered parking is for customer use. As the HVMA president, I personally have stressed this to merchants. The lots you are referring to are privately owned, and they are not owned, as far as I know, by members of the HVMA. We are just as frustrated over the lack of availability of those lots for parking as residents are. That being said, public street parking is just that - public street parking. So, folks should always feel free to park legally wherever they can. And as far as Baltimore city neighborhoods go, I have lived in several that are far worse for parking. Being here for 12 years, I've almost always been able within a block from my home, business or destination.
mobtownshank (January 7th, 2012 9:57 PM)
Thank you giddybmoregirl for the excellent point you make. Although, the Main Streets on this site are great places for people to visit, we have to remember that people live there as well and that needs to be respected. Which parking lots would you recommend? You can use the Contact Us page if you'd like. I will try to edit the Parking section to account for your concerns. Thanks again!
Administrator (September 13th, 2011 7:13 PM)
Hello as a new resident while I am happy that people enjoy venturing to the avenue, I'm not so pleased about the "find parking on the side streets" suggestion. Every day when I come home from work I cannot find a spot to park on my street. Apparently the businesses as well as have told their patrons to park on our streets instead of using the meters or nearby lots. There are several areas within Hampden that have parking lots and it would be nice if those were encouraged more readily than the neighborhood streets. Sincerely Hampden Hon
giddybmoregirl (September 13th, 2011 11:52 AM)