Baltimore-Made Products

Zeke's Coffee Fuels Baltimore - And Beyond!

Ahh, the magical elixir of Zeke's Coffee.  Headquartered in the Hamilton/Lauraville Main Street, Zeke's Coffee is something of a phenomenon in the Baltimore region.  Devotees get their fix by purchasing by the cup or the pound at restaurants, farmer's markets, coffee shops, carry outs, food stores, theaters, bookstores, inns, and even the occasional salon.   

Zeke's also has its own coffee shops in Hamilton/Lauraville, Pittsburgh, and Washington, DC, so this delivery van gets a workout.  For those who want the goods to show up at their doorstep, Zeke's offers a coffee subscription service.  Locally-roasted, high quality coffee makes a thoughtful holiday or hostess gift ...

Delicious in Baltimore: Wockenfuss Candies

With the holidays around the corner, I cannot stop thinking about candy.  Baltimore has a number of top-notch chocolatiers, and I have to admit that I have tried and liked all of them.  Today, however, I am going to focus on Wockenfuss Candies since they recently made a huge commitment to staying in Baltimore when they relocated and expanded their manufacturing facility.  A Baltimore treat since 1915, Wockenfuss now churns out its famous chocolates, fudge, and old fashioned candy at 6831 Harford Road.  The layout of the new operation also allows Wockenfuss to offer tours.

This is a photograph of the counter of deliciousness at Wockenfuss' Harford Road shop, which also features a small post office, so you can send gifts of candy without even leaving the store.  Wockenfuss has a total of eight locations, including three in Ocean City, two in Baltimore County, and one in both Harford and Howard Counties, so you have no excuse not to pick up these locally made treats.

You know you are in Maryland when the chocolatier crafts chocolate in the shape of lacrosse sticks!  Go ahead and buy a chocolate lacrosse stick, but I also highly recommend the dark chocolate-covered pretzels.

Naturally Beautiful: Renew Botanicals

Master Esthetician Shelley Birnbaum makes handcrafted personal care products, from lotion and shower gel to essential oils and baby care items (gift idea alert!).  These organic and toxin-free products are available at her boutique and studio, Renew Botanicals Skincare Studio and Wellness Boutique, where she also offers facials, skin-care consultations, and other services.  Shelley also crafts products specifically designed to meet individual clients' skin care needs. 

Her handmade lotion and shower gel are pictured here.  My pictures do not do her shop or her products justice (I need to work on my product photography!), so I encourage you to check her hours and visit her shop in Northeast Baltimore's Hamilton/Lauraville Main Street.

She also sells other products that meet her exacting standards, including soaps from Peaceful Acres Farm, organic hair care from Shear Miracles, Monave Mineral Makeup, and Green Screen Organic Sunscreen.

Baltimore's Take on Rice Krispies Treats: Mallow Crunchies

Remember Rice Krispies Treats?  The Mallow Bar has taken this childhood classic and infused it with handmade marshmallows and special ingredients such as cashews, dark chocolate, or handmade caramel.  Voila!  Mallow Crunchies have turned it into something of a sensation in Baltimore, winning the title of Best Sweet Snack from Baltimore Magazine ... 

... and landing a spot on Lifetime's Supermarket Superstar.  As you can see from this flyer, owner Nikki will compete on the show on September 2nd. 

Devotees can get their fix at farmers markets such as the Pratt Street Thursday afternoon market (pictured here), Koba Cafe in Riverside Park, and at the Mallow Bar in Rosedale.