Joe Squared in Station North will close by the end of the year

Joe’s Squared, Baltimore’s beloved dining and entertainment venue, announced plans Thursday to close its doors by the end of the year.

Known for his pizza, music, and full support of local artists, Joe Squared has been a community anchor in the Station North neighborhood for nearly 20 years. The venue received national acclaim in 2014 for Mission in Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”“, with the bombastic food star describing the bacon and clam pizza as “insanely good.”

The decision to close comes after months of pandemic-era losses that left Nick Johnson, the company’s vice president, with a loss Collectively owned restaurant workerslooking for ways to keep their doors open.

“COVID-19 has changed the landscape for restaurants everywhere. … So there’s been a really constant attempt to deal with the lack of business,” he told The Banner. Shortly after the foundation announced its plans To close.

“I feel like we’re constantly asking: How does this happen?”

The closure of Joe Squared follows a number of local restaurants that have struggled to regain their footing in the wake of COVID-19, including The Local Oyster, which closed both of its locations last Saturday.

The West North Avenue flagship previously closed in 2020 but was revived months later as a co-op, which was seen as a more sustainable model for the struggling restaurant. The new owners of Joe Squared were able to apply for grants and create a voting structure that would allow this 13 workers decide democratically On issues ranging from the streamlined menu to renovations, according to WYPR.

But in Thursday’s announcement, the restaurant cited the changing post-pandemic industry landscape, including “lower footfall, higher expenses, and lack of resources,” as the reason for its impending closure.

However, Johnson believes the best is yet to come for Baltimore area restaurants.

The food scene remains a supportive and attractive place with plenty of niche interests waiting to be filled, he said. He said the support of Station North’s loyal customers has been overwhelming.

“We honestly couldn’t have done it without them. It’s a little bittersweet, but we’re happy to serve the community as long as we can,” he said.

A party celebrating Joe Squared’s legacy is scheduled for the last weekend in December. Johnson hopes the neighborhood will remember the restaurant as a local drinking resource and “a great place to catch a show or see some cool art on the walls.”

Special events and reservations are still available at the restaurant through the end of the year, and more special events will be announced in the coming weeks, according to the venue’s social media.

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