Local
Obstacles remain in Baltimore Eagle reopening
Renovations could top $1 million
The Baltimore Eagle closed in 2012. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
The Baltimore Eagle, a mainstay of Baltimore’s leather community since 1991, closed in December 2012 following its sale, leaving many in the community uncertain as to the bar’s fate.
Charles Parrish and Ian Parrish purchased the property and vowed to re-open it again as the Baltimore Eagle after renovations are completed. But when Ian Parrish came in to further examine the premises located at 2022 N. Charles St. following the sale, the magnitude of the work needed to complete the project was, as he put it, “the worst possible case.”
According to the website of the Community Law Center, a nonprofit law firm that provides legal services to community and nonprofit organizations throughout Maryland, “There was a lien on the property that the title search did not pick up. The property was full of garbage and had been used for drugs and prostitution. The roof was collapsing and the mortar between the bricks was turning to sand. The Parrishes had to gut the building. So far, he [sic] has expended $150,000 and the project will probably end up costing around $1 million.” This does not include the purchase price.
Parrish indicated that a dumpster a day for a month was needed to remove the trash, two large box trucks of furniture and personal items were donated to Habitat for Humanity, and even more truckloads of items were sent for recycling. Other work, such as the installation of an electrical line from BGE and a six-month permitting process, were essential to bring the building up to code.
“We took bed sheets off the wall covering structural problems. . . there were goods and memorabilia collected over 30 years. It was 10,000 square feet of hoarder space,” Parrish said. As a result of these unexpected delays, the 180-day requirement needed to complete construction was not met to satisfy the Baltimore Liquor Board, thus placing the entire project in jeopardy.
Throughout this period, the Parrish family stated that they kept neighboring civic associations, city officials and others abreast of the ongoing developments. During a contentious hearing with the liquor board on March 12, the Parrishes along with their attorney Melvin Kodenski argued that their application for a transfer of ownership be approved since the scope of the reconstruction warranted an extension of the 180-day guideline.
Kodenski noted that in the past, such extensions were granted for cases of fire, arson, redevelopment and other issues. He cited a case, Woodfield v. West River Improvement Association, which he said held that the board does not have to enforce the 180-day provision, if it chooses not to.
One of the three-member Liquor Board commissioners, Dana Petersen Moore, strongly rebuked Kodenski’s argument saying, “all of that went out the window after the audit. Those policies and procedures were wrong.” Indeed, the audit she referred to criticized previous commissioners for disregarding Maryland law and new commissioners were appointed—two by then-Gov. Martin O’Malley and one by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake—to enforce the rules more stringently.
Tom Ward, a former judge who was appointed to chair the board, told Kodenski to submit a legal memorandum delineating the circumstances for why the board should extend the timeframe. Ward remarked during the hearing, “It looks to me like maybe you bought something that you shouldn’t have bought.”
Kodenski would have to find legal precedent but would need to go outside of Baltimore City since the past liquor board’s actions have been criticized based on the audit. Ward stated that if he cannot be convinced to extend the 180-day rule after reviewing Kodenski’s memorandum, the liquor license would be considered dead.
Much of the arguments at the March 12 hearing focused on turf battles among various civic associations and over process and not knowing the plans for the establishment. Representatives from the Charles North Community Association and the Charles Village Civic Association opposed the extension. Kelly Cross, president of the Old Goucher Community Association, was in support of the project stating that the neighborhood is in need of nightlife entertainment.
Ian Parrish remains optimistic that these issues will be resolved and will soon unveil his new management team. “They said I shouldn’t have bought that building, but I think this neighborhood and this bar are worth the risk,” Parrish told the Blade. “The groundwork is laid, our construction team is standing by, and as soon as the eight people who oppose this project get out of the way, we can get to work.”
The Baltimore Eagle’s website still points to a 2015 re-opening.
Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Summer Kickoff Party set for May 15 with Ashley Biden
The Washington Blade’s 19th annual Summer Kickoff Party is scheduled for Friday, May 15 in Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Ashley Biden, daughter of President Joe Biden, has joined the list of speakers, the Blade announced. She will accept an award on behalf of her brother Beau Biden for his LGBTQ advocacy work as Delaware attorney general. (Her appearance was rescheduled from last year.)
The event, to be held this year at Diego’s (37298 Rehoboth Ave. Ext.) from 5-7 p.m., is a fundraiser for the Blade Foundation’s Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which funds a summer position reporting on LGBTQ news in Delaware. This year’s recipient will be introduced at the event.
The event will also feature remarks from state Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall. New CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Dr. Robin Brennan and Blade editor Kevin Naff will also speak. The event is generously sponsored by Realtor Justin Noble, The Avenue Inn & Spa, and Diego’s.
A suggested donation of $25 is partially tax deductible and includes a drink ticket and light appetizers. Tickets are available in advance at bladefoundation.org/rehoboth or at the door.
District of Columbia
Curve magazine honors Washington Blade publisher
Lynne Brown named to 2026 Power List
Washington Blade Publisher Lynne Brown has been named to the 2026 Curve Power List celebrating LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary individuals in North America who are blazing trails in their chosen fields.
“From sports and entertainment icons to corporate leaders and lawmakers, these individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and shaping the future,” Curve Foundation/Curve magazine said in announcing this year’s list, which includes ABC newscaster Robin Roberts, comedian/actress Hannah Einbinder, and singer/actress Renee Rapp, among others.
Brown has worked for the Washington Blade for nearly 40 years. She was named publisher in 2007 before becoming a co-owner in 2010.
“I am honored to be recognized by Curve magazine during Lesbian Visibility Week,” Brown said. “Receiving this Curve honor is twofold. I was an early subscriber to Curve. I enjoy the product and know its history. Its journalism, layout and humorous features have inspired me.
“As an owner/publisher, receiving recognition from a similar source acknowledges my work and efforts, with a sincerity I truly appreciate. Franco Stevens, the publisher of Curve, is a business person of duration, experience, and purpose. The fact that they are in the media business, and honoring me and my publication makes it a tiny bit sweeter.”
Nominations for the Curve Power List come from the community: peers, mentors, fans, and employers.
Curve explained the significance of the list in its announcement: “An annual, publicly nominated list of impactful LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary changemakers is crucial in current times to counter discrimination, legislative rollbacks, hostility, and the invisibility of queer women within mainstream and marginal spaces and endeavors. Such a list also fosters encouragement and solidarity, and elevates voices and achievements—from high-profile roles to under appreciated areas of life.”
Rehoboth Beach
Auction of Rehoboth’s Blue Moon canceled
Details on sale of iconic bar, restaurant not disclosed
The Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, Del., has been an iconic presence in the local LGBTQ community for four decades but its status remains murky after a sheriff’s auction of the property was abruptly called off on Tuesday.
The property was listed for sale in December. At that time, owner Tim Ragan told the Blade that he is committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.
“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Ragan said in December. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”
Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney were separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale were listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They were listed for $4.5 million.
The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price was not publicly disclosed.
But then, earlier this year, the Blue Moon real estate listing turned up on the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office auction site. The auction was slated for Tuesday, April 21 but hours before the sale, the listing changed to “active under contract” indicating that a buyer has been found but the sale is not yet final. As of Wednesday morning, the listing has been removed from the sheriff’s auction site.
Ragan didn’t respond to Blade inquiries about the auction. Back in December, he told the Blade, “It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” noting that he turns 70 this year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.”
The identity of the buyer was not disclosed, nor was the sale price.
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