You might want to check the link to your story, it's sending me to a movable type login page.

immeasurable chicken and waffle seems to be faring pretty well a few blocks over from there, so it's certainly possible. Though, Immeasurable is decidedly not upscale in any way shape or form - the whole "upscale" thing is making me cringe. If that approach doesn't necessarily cut the muster in even the well-to-do areas of the city....

(link to the article isn't working - i'll come back to it)

If I had $1 for every time someone in Baltimore said "it's a risky move -- but one they think will pay off", I'd have enough money to make my own risky move.

Best of luck to them!

I'm giving this place a hopeful thumbs up. Hollins Market has seen a hopeful bit of really decent businesses popping up around it, it could survive. The biggest hurdle isn't going to be dealing with the otherwise crappy neighborhood surrounding it, but getting enough people to come from other parts of the city. The owners will have to do a helluva lot of promoting. Best of luck!

Didn't the police discontinue the practice of providing off duty officers to provide security for establishment a while back?

@rube -- I thought the same thing when I read that line in the article. I think there's a distinction between the city providing the officers and charging bar owners for the overtime v. clubs hiring cops directly. I think it also has to do with whether they can wear uniforms or not. Not sure on any of it, but I think that's the difference.

@Kateebee and Rube -- Baltimore City discontinued the practice. Other counties, I believe, still allow off-duty police officers to moonlight as security guards.

I can't wait for them to open up. I've met Errez a few times now, as he's been attending meetings of the Union Square Association and keeping us up to date on their progress.
This place is just a couple of doors down from Baltimore Pho (yes, the address for Back Alley Jazz is Baltimore Street, but the entrance is on Hollins), and along with Zella's Pizzeria and the new place that Jim Collins, the owner of Baltimore Pho, is working on, our neighborhood is moving on up.
Oh, and the Hollins Market/Union Square neighboorhood is a lot less "otherwise crappy," than most of you think.

sorry BC! I guess I should have used the term "otherwise crimey" instead of "crappy." Then again I am thinking of the times when I was much younger and crime was literally rampant, that area's full of med students mostly these days I guess

from this week's City Paper
Bill 10-0439 City Streets--Naming an Unnamed Alley Jazz Alley

"...Errez Segman, is facing foreclosure actions on at least three of his West Baltimore properties, online court records indicate. He owes more than $800,000 on three properties he purchased for a total of less than $180,000, court and tax records show. The company through which he owns 1131 W. Baltimore St., called the Real Estate Investment Fund, LLC, was forfeited for failure to pay state taxes. Segman, who apparently resides in College Park, could not be reached for comment."

@Tomato Head -- interesting. As I remember from scanning the records, the other owner, Daniel Chreky, is the primary owner/investor. So that might make this a moot point. Regardless, it's a bad sign for the club. I'm surprised the City Paper didn't just pull the club's file down at the liquor board. His number's in there. That's how I got a hold of him.

CHUCK HOLDEN & His Trio
@ BACK ALLEY JAZZ & BLUES CLUB
1131 Jazz Alley
Baltimore, MD 21228
Saturday, June 19, 2010
8:00 PM & 10:30 PM
www.chuckholdenjazz.com
www.backalleyjazz.com
Menu by Chef Wayne
$5.00 Music Charge
NO COVER

Back Alley Jazz is finally open and is doing a great job! Everybody who loves Jazz & Blues should support this wanderfull venue offering live Jazz & Blues shows, fine dining restaurant and full bar. www.BackAlleyJazz.com or Back Alley Jazz on Facebook and Twitter