Johnpatrick Marr

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Submissions Featured by the Editors (2)

Russell Wattenberg stopped for gas in Baltimore fifteen years ago, and hasn't left since. For years he supplied free books to teachers out of his van while working at a local bar, but after being given nonprofit status he started doing "you know, the book thing I've been doing," full time. Years later, The Book Thing has thousands of glorious square feet filled to capacity with shelving. The volunteer staff makes a Sisyphean effort to sort the books in the adjacent garage, but the best shelf is towards the back; "Russell's Picks," are the volumes he thinks are most likely to find a good home, and the turnover there is high. In fact, it's best get to the store close to its opening time at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. There'll be a line forming well before the store opens as teachers and civilians alike hope to get the pick of the litter. There's no catch, take (or leave) as many books as you can carry. Just remember to sign out and leave a thank you for Russell.
The Book Thing Baltimore, MD
Baltimore's Spro is two parts test kitchen to one part coffee house, and with no music other than the buzzing of the burr grinders, the reverent atmosphere is also part church. You come to Spro if you take coffee seriously. When you place your order, not only do you specify the roast, you'll also choose from one of seven brew methods. All these methods are brew to order and guarantee that you're tasting these beans at their most glorious. This could all be intimidating if you don't have a Barista Arts degree from Intelligentsia, but the staff will guide you through this blown-glass jungle. When you hear a barista passionately explaining to a group of old ladies why their cup of coffee cost seven dollars, you're going to want to quit your day job to join the team at Spro.
Spro Coffee Baltimore, MD

All Submissions (1)

Massachusetts' Middlesex County puts a lot of stock in history, having been kindling to the spark of American revolution. As one of the oldest continuously operated cheese shops in the country, The Cheese Shop of Concord has the history locals crave, but really came into its own after being purchased by Peter Lovis in 2003. Lovis' personality is the big fish to the small pond of the shop. Four walls and a cheese counter cannot contain all he has to offer; he started a Concord Christmas tradition with the rolling of a 400 pound wheel if Italian Crucolo cheese, appears on local television and offers classes through the local community college. While cheese from all over the world is on offer, the focus remains on cheeses produced in New England, including the dairy powerhouse of Vermont. The much lauded Bonne Bouche goat cheese from Vermont Creamery is a poignant reminder of our local bounty. The Shop itself embodies the idea of bounty, containing artisan goods to be enjoyed with cheese (wine, crackers) and house-made foods containing cheese (sandwiches, pastries). Let the experts behind the long counter find your ideal pairing.
Cheese Shop of Concord Concord, MA

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Johnpatrick Marr submitted on Cheese Shop of Concord in Concord, MA.
about 1 year ago

If you could take just one photo: The Heavily Staffed Cheese Counter

Massachusetts' Middlesex County puts a lot of stock in history, having been kindling to the spark of American revolution. As one of the oldest continuously operated cheese shops in the country, The Cheese Shop of Concord has the history locals crave, but really came into its own after being purchased by Peter Lovis in 2003. Lovis' personality is the big fish to the small pond of the shop. Four walls and a cheese counter cannot contain all he has to offer; he started a Concord Christmas tradition with the rolling of a 400 pound wheel if Italian Crucolo cheese, appears on local television and offers classes through the local community college. While cheese from all over the world is on offer, the focus remains on cheeses produced in New England, including the dairy powerhouse of Vermont. The much lauded Bonne Bouche goat cheese from Vermont Creamery is a poignant reminder of our local bounty. The Shop itself embodies the idea of bounty, containing artisan goods to be enjoyed with cheese (wine, crackers) and house-made foods containing cheese (sandwiches, pastries). Let the experts behind the long counter find your ideal pairing.
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Johnpatrick Marr submitted on The Book Thing in Baltimore, MD.
about 1 year ago

If you could take just one photo: The Sisyphean sorting garage

Russell Wattenberg stopped for gas in Baltimore fifteen years ago, and hasn't left since. For years he supplied free books to teachers out of his van while working at a local bar, but after being given nonprofit status he started doing "you know, the book thing I've been doing," full time. Years later, The Book Thing has thousands of glorious square feet filled to capacity with shelving. The volunteer staff makes a Sisyphean effort to sort the books in the adjacent garage, but the best shelf is towards the back; "Russell's Picks," are the volumes he thinks are most likely to find a good home, and the turnover there is high. In fact, it's best get to the store close to its opening time at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. There'll be a line forming well before the store opens as teachers and civilians alike hope to get the pick of the litter. There's no catch, take (or leave) as many books as you can carry. Just remember to sign out and leave a thank you for Russell.
Like Add a Comment
Johnpatrick Marr submitted on Spro Coffee in Baltimore, MD.
about 1 year ago

If you could take just one photo: Pour over, vacuum pot, Chemex... oh my!

Baltimore's Spro is two parts test kitchen to one part coffee house, and with no music other than the buzzing of the burr grinders, the reverent atmosphere is also part church. You come to Spro if you take coffee seriously. When you place your order, not only do you specify the roast, you'll also choose from one of seven brew methods. All these methods are brew to order and guarantee that you're tasting these beans at their most glorious. This could all be intimidating if you don't have a Barista Arts degree from Intelligentsia, but the staff will guide you through this blown-glass jungle. When you hear a barista passionately explaining to a group of old ladies why their cup of coffee cost seven dollars, you're going to want to quit your day job to join the team at Spro.
Like Add a Comment
Johnpatrick Marr joined Open Places.
about 1 year ago