Annapolis Summer Brings Downtown Changes

I’ve been out-of town for almost a month, visiting the other side of the world and although I enjoyed the adventures, it is great to be back home in Annapolis. (If I could just get my sleep cycle back to normal and catch up on those missing hours I would really feel good). Nevertheless I’ve resumed my regular schedule of walks downtown; morning and evening, and I look at the city with fresh eyes having been away.
I see a lot of vacant storefronts. Avoca Handweavers, which was cleaning out the last of their inventory in June, is now empty and appears to have been leased. The “Mystery Shop” ie the former Annapolis pawn shop that has remained in the decade of the 1950s, is in the process of being cleared out. There are no longer sunglasses and harmonicas and watchbands in the window..how sad. Market House still has very few vendors. But if I walk Up Town on West Street past Church Circle there are new signs of life. A photography studio has opened in the storefront vacated by Horse Boutique and the shop that was housing beauty products for Hudson and Fouquet has been remodeled into a handsome salon. I was recently invited for a visit and could not help but admire the lovely new wood floors and tiled floors that have been installed in the late 19th century stucco building along with the acoutrements for a high end salon. Hudson and Fouquet were the winners (tied with nearby Ruby’s Salon) for Best Women’s stylist in the What’s Up? Annapolis Best of contest . Judging by the many satisfied customers I observed, it is easy to see why. You can check out the list of all the What’s Up? winners at http://www.WhatsUpMag.com and look at some of the party pics too.