The 11 Best Things About Working in Hampden
It’s no secret that we love our community of Hampden. We’re proud and passionate members of our neighborhood.
But what is it that makes Hampden so special? Our team sat down to brainstorm our favorite things about our community.
Here are the 11 best things about working in Hampden.
1. Great Food
When it comes to great food, there’s no shortage in Hampden. The options are plentiful and diverse. And best of all, every food establishment on the neighborhood’s main strip, The Avenue, is hyperlocal since no chains are allowed to operate there. Our favorites include:
- Golden West for breakfast
- Grano Pasta Bar for lunch
- The Food Market for snacks
- Quality Snowballs for desert from our very own tenant located in the shipping container at Co-Balt Workspace
If you’re looking for even more ideas, check out this article that features another 10 great options.
2. Incredible Coffee
Whether you’re looking to get your day started, refuel in the afternoon, or to get out for an offsite meeting or simply to relax, there are an abundance of coffee shops in the neighborhood. We enjoy Good Neighbor and Common Ground.
3. Limitless Beer, Wine, and Spirits
Craving a cocktail? When you work in Hampden, you’ll be mere steps away from a ton of incredible cocktail bars.
Head to:
- Nepenthe Brewing Co for craft beer
- 13.5 Wine Bar for wine
- The Bluebird for award-winning cocktails
- Fraziers for a downhome locals’ place to shoot pool and have cheap beer
There’s a good chance you’ll find us here on a Friday afternoon following a good week of work!
4. Unbeatable Walkability
Hampden is incredibly walkable due to its close proximity to all the amenities you could want as well as the fact that it’s extremely safe. Co-Balt is in the heart of Hampden, so our members have quick and easy access to it all.
5. Deep-Rooted Sense of Community
There are no two ways about it: Hampden has an incredible vibe. There’s a great sense of community here. It’s almost like being in a village. Both on the merchant and community side, there’s a strong sense of pride in the community and a commitment to getting to know everyone and looking out for one another. All of the merchants here are local people doing local things since, as we mentioned, there are no national companies allowed on The Avenue. This really helps to create a sense of pride for local Baltimore makers and merchants. To learn more, check out the Hampden Merchant Association and Hampden Community Association.
6. Miracle on 34th St.
Every holiday season, a full block on 34th Street goes all out and decorates. It’s an incredible sight to see. People come from all over the place to check out this spectacle. It really is awe-inspiring!
7. Honfest and Hampdenfest
While the pandemic has hindered events recently, Hampden has some incredible community events during normal times. Honfest, which takes place in June, and Hampdenfest, which happens in September, are essentially just big fun celebrations of everything Hampden is. The community shuts down the streets and does all kinds of activities, like toilet bowl races, as well as having bands play music and food vendors on-site. It’s one big party!
If you’ve never attended Hampdenfest, check out the video we made to showcase what it’s all about.
8. Unbelievable Shopping
If you want to take a break from work and do a little retail therapy, you’ll love the shopping in Hampden. There are a ton of small boutiques and interesting finds, all run by local operators.
You might want to check out Vú Skateshop, The Bookstore Next Door, Double Dutch, and Hunting Ground.
9. Its Central Location
Hampden’s convenience isn’t just its walkability. It’s also incredibly central, offering easy access to all parts of the city. It’s in close proximity to the light rail line and offers easy access to I83. You can be downtown in ten minutes or in the suburbs in fifteen.
10. The Avenue
We mentioned The Avenue before but we can’t stress enough how amazing it is. A strong commercial district offering a huge array of restaurants, shops, and more, The Avenue is the heartbeat of the community. You’ll find everything you need here. And, most importantly, you’ll get to experience the vibrancy of people on the streets, day and night. If you love to people-watch, this is a great place to do it.
11. The Culture of Love and Acceptance
One of the greatest intangible aspects of Hampden is the sense of acceptance and love you feel living and working here. A recent surge of new residents have melded wonderfully with the people that have lived here for generations. Walking around Hampden gives you the same vibe as living in a small town. Even if you don’t know someone, it’s incredibly easy to strike up a conversation while sitting on their stoop or having a drink next to them in any of the restaurants or bars (which are always bustling!). Between the skate park, various playgrounds, bars, and our many, many churches, there’s a little slice of heaven here for everyone!
If you’re looking for an office space in a unique, inspiring, and uplifting community, we’d love to show you our workspace. Located in the heart of Hampden, Co-Balt strives to be a beacon in the community, making connections between our members and this amazing neighborhood we call home.
Want to See Why So Many Co-Balt Members Already Love Working in Hampden?
Book a tour of our space today!
