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It's Bluesday, readers, and the quest to push the limits of the human life span — and make a lot of money — is as strong as ever.
Equinox already charges anywhere from $275 to $400 per month to work out at its gyms. Now, it's offering a new $40,000 yearly membership to help customers get healthier and live longer, NBC reports.
"Optimize by Equinox" is a partnership with lab company Function Health and will use "100 biomarkers — everything from heart, liver and kidney health to metabolic and immune systems to cancer markers and nutrients," according to NBC — to make its clients healthier.
That's a lot of money, and I'm sure they know what they're doing. But I prefer the time-tested combination of a nightly bowl of ice cream and a glass of whiskey here and there to keep me healthy. It worked for my forebears; who am I to question their methods?
Now let's get to the news.
Timonium granola company to feature in MPT series
Michele's Granola will be on screens all over the region next week as part of Maryland Public Television's "Made in Maryland" series, the company announced this week. The episode will show how the Timonium-based company "remained true to its origins, creating delicious cereals from hand in small batches, despite growing exponentially from its humble beginnings," MPT wrote in the episode description. The growth has indeed been exponential: Michele's doubled its office and warehouse space beginning in 2021 to keep up with a surge in demand during the pandemic. The company also partnered with singer Jason Mraz last year. The MPT episode airs at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15.
Pimlico redevelopment RFP nears due date as Preakness approaches
The $400 million overhaul of Pimlico passed by the Maryland General Assembly is gaining steam as the Preakness Stakes approaches. All questions for the state’s request for proposals are due today by 1 p.m., per the Maryland Stadium Authority. The state is looking for a construction management contractor for the first part of the work, which will include “design and constructability reviews, logistics planning, cost estimating, and project scheduling,” per the site. Full proposals are due May 20, and the minority business enterprise goal for the contractors and sub-contractors is 32%. The Preakness Stakes will be run on May 18 before running in Laurel next year while Pimlico undergoes renovations.
Major Cross Keys restaurant nears open date, more on way
The Cordish Cos.' Cece's Roland Park restaurant will open in the coming weeks at the Village of Cross Keys as a $30 million overhaul by owners Caves Valley Partners moves forward. It's one of six new eateries in the works, and another restaurant deal is in the works, Caves Valley Principal Arsh Mirmiran told our Melody Simmons. Here's the scoop on the action at Cross Keys.
Baltimore university, nonprofit to build West Baltimore makerspace
Coppin State University is partnering with Open Works, a Baltimore nonprofit, to create a makerspace in West Baltimore that could be a new economic engine for the area. The 900-square-foot space is just the first step in the nonprofit's plan to build a 40,000-square-foot facility on a former lumber mill at 2636 W. North Ave. Our Matt Hooke has the details on the deal.
Baltimore County fire chief to retire this year
Chief Joanne Rund of the Baltimore County Fire Department will retire in July 2024, County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced Monday. Rund became the county's first permanent female fire chief in 2019 after 32 years with Howard County's fire department. She led the department's work through the Covid-19 pandemic and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The county will begin a search for Rund's replacement. Olszewski also announced that Kimberly Rouston will serve as acting director of government affairs now that Jennifer Aiosa left for a job in Gov. Wes Moore's administration.
Insurance payouts loom for Key Bridge collapse
The insurer of the Key Bridge is expected to pay out Maryland’s full $350 million coverage in the coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reports. That sum includes coverage for the interruption of the port, but is still less than the $1.2 billion estimated costs of the collapse alone, per WSJ. Chubb, the insurer, has protected itself against some of the risk by selling portions of it to reinsurers, a source told the paper. Chubb will also likely join with other businesses and Baltimore City in suing the owner of the Dali, who has filed in federal court to limit its liability to $43.6 million.
Former Ammoora employees allege unpaid wages and tips in lawsuit
Four former workers are suing Federal Hill's Ammoora restaurant over allegations of unpaid wages and retaliatory firings, the Baltimore Sun reports. The lawsuit accuses the restaurant of only paying the workers the tipped wage rate of $3.63 while doing non-tipped work like preparing the dining room for opening or shutting it down after hours. The suit also says two employees were fired after bringing up their concerns to management. The spot in the Ritz-Carlton Residences was named on of People Magazine's 50 most beautiful restaurants just days ago. Read more about the case in the Sun.
BDC showcases progress on Baltimore Together initiative
Baltimore Development Corp. CEO Colin Tarbert on Monday said the organization is making progress in the third year of its "Baltimore Together" program that aims to create an "equitable economy" in the city, BBJ Editor in Chief Joanna Sullivan writes. The five-year economic development strategy kicked off in 2021 with seven goals that included building workforce, small businesses and growing the city's population. Tarbert held a meeting at the CareFirst tower in Baltimore to update stakeholders on the plan's progress. The successes in the plan's progress report include the redevelopment of Lexington Market, the creation of the Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund and growth in both the life sciences and logistics industries. The strategy's seven goals are being measured each year and are available online.