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Riptide seafood restaurant in Fells Point will close its doors Wednesday

By
Christian Olaniran
Digital Producer, CBS Baltimore
Christian Olaniran is a digital producer for CBS Baltimore, where he writes stories on diverse topics including politics, arts and culture. With a passion for storytelling and content creation, he produces engaging visual content for social media, and other platforms.
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Christian Olaniran,
Ashley Paul
Ashley Paul
Ashley Paul joined the WJZ team in December 2024 as a reporter, and could not be happier to call Charm City home! Ashley has told stories all across the country, including in Maine, Central Pennsylvania and Tampa, where she won a Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists award in the "Multi-Media Journalist In a Large Market" category.
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Ashley Paul

/ CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- Riptide, a seafood restaurant in Fells Point, is closing its doors Wednesday after six years in business, the restaurant said in a social media post.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that On Wednesday january 15, 2025 Riptide will ride its final wave and...

Posted by on 

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Riptide will ride its final wave and be closing the doors," the restaurant said. "It has been the hardest decision because we have loved being a part of the Fells Point Community and partying with you all for the last 6 years."

The restaurant is inviting the public for one "last ride" on Wednesday before it closes for good. The event will feature a guest appearance by Tim and The Animal.

"You learn from failing"

Riptide's owners just this week made the tough decision to close their restaurant and bar. 

Co-owner Justin Brockmeyer told WJZ that a domino effect from the COVID-19 pandemic made it tough for their business to bounce back.

"The pandemic kind of changed everything," Brockmeyer said. "It changed the way people go out. It changed what people do nowadays. How much they drink kind of went downhill a little bit, and it changed the reputation for Fells Point."

Brockmeyer also said perceived crime in Fells Point has deterred people from wanting to come to the area on weekends — a prominent time for many Fells Point businesses.

"I've definitely had an emotional roller coaster here," Brockmeyer said. This place has always been about nostalgia for us. Everything that this place has been, is basically my brother, me, my girlfriend Kat, it's what we put into it. It's our dream of putting things together."

Brockmeyer is not sure what he will do next, but he hopes to learn from this and come back to Fells Point with something even better.

"Every life lesson is worth it," Brockmeyer said. "You learn, you fail. You learn from failing. And then you move forward and figure out how not to fail."

Community reacts

Fells Point residents say they are sad to learn of Riptide's closing, which has become a neighborhood staple.

"It's really sad," said Fells Point resident Hari Menon. "I'm sure business has been tough with everything going on with inflation. I don't know exactly what is causing them to close down but it is sad because it is a pretty iconic area for downtown."

Recent restaurant closures

Riptide isn't the only recent restaurant closure in the area.

, a popular Baltimore brunch restaurant, closed business on Sunday after operating for four years.

Aliceanne Room also announced that Monday would be their last day of operation. They wrote to their customers on social media, 'We will hold onto the memories, the friendships, and the joy."  

In December, Mother's Grille also announced it was closing its Federal Hill location after 27 years. Its final day of business will be Sunday January 19.

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