If you haven’t heard, there’s a restaurant being proposed at the former Network Deli building at 3600 Malden Ave. Mark Bernal is a Medfield resident, President of the Medfield Community Association, and long-time restaurant worker who has a contract on the building. The restaurant would need a zoning variance and is going to the BMZA for a hearing next Tuesday at 1 pm. Residents are welcome to participate (more details below)
What’s the proposal?
Mark is under contract to buy 3600 Malden Ave and hopes to close on the building on May 27th. He will be building the restaurant with an SBA loan to transform it into a neighborhood restaurant. The restaurant’s name will be Millie’s, named after his grandmother MIlly. The restaurant will have a service-oriented model, focusing on hosting and old-fashioned service. The restaurant will have a wood fired oven and grill. Mark plans for the restaurant to be a neighborhood restaurant with a wood fired grill in the center. They will have pizza, along with other dishes and drinks. The restaurant will offer New American cuisine, informed by his grandmother’s appreciation of local seafood. Beverages would be farm to glass ingredients, low intervention wines, and natural ingredients. He does not want delivery service or food app pickup service. The restaurant would have seating for up to 76 people. There would be some outdoor seating in the rear of the property. The floor plans are available here.
The restaurant would operate 5 days a week, from 5 pm- 10 pm. Mark wants to be involved at the restaurant and be there most of the time. He is looking to have 5 FT employees with salary and benefits. Mark wants to be cognizant of traffic and cars. He does not want this to be a destination restaurant, but wants it to be a local spot. Millie’s is not looking to do app delivery service, doesn’t like it in his neighborhood, and wants to not do this here.
The price point of the restaurant would be on average $25-$30 per person. This could change, as costs change.
The architectural team is led by Henry Johnson, currently working on Clifton Mansion. Myers Green is the architectural firm. Mark will work with CHAP and apply for historic tax credits. The blue brick isn’t original and may need to be removed. Looking to make a historic window bay. It was a pharmacy at one point, then a carry-out/deli.
BMZA Zoning Variance
The proposal goes to the BMZA next Tuesday May 20th at 1 pm. Individuals can email their approval or opposition to the BMZA directly. Emails need to be received 24 hours before the hearing and can be sent to bmza@baltimorecity.gov. People can also attend in person. The docket for the hearing is available here.
What’s next?
If the restaurant gets a zoning variance, Mark will close on the property at the end of May, likely on May 27th. He will also apply for a Class B new restaurant license, which requires an investment of $250-$300k, and 75 seats in the restaurant. Mark will also be applying for an SBA loan to do renovations and open the restaurant.
