Waverly Merchants Association Disbands

UPDATE (6:00 p.m.)—Casey Jenkins, the owner of Darker Than Blue Cafe, said the apathy of the Baltimore police and leadership at City Hall has forced him to begin looking for a new location for his restaurant.

Jenkins, in a telephone interview, said he's sick of ineffective policing. He said police need to be conducting foot patrols and get to know the merchants in the area.

"We need the police officers to come and introduce themselves to business owners," Jenkins said.

He was also critical of the Charles Village Community Benefits District which includes the businesses on Greenmount Avenue. He said the benefits district is taking money from merchants but not providing any services. 

"We need to be out of the special benefits district," Jenkins said.

Jenkins in an email on Thursday also announced the dissolution of the Waverly Merchants Association as of Nov. 21.

“It has been my pleasure to assist in what little growth the area has seen over the last five years, but due to the increase in violence, and lack of interest from police and merchants alike I feel it would be prudent to place my resources elsewhere,” Jenkins wrote in the email.

The announcement comes just 10 days after the latest shooting at the Yau Bros. Chinese Carryout a block away from Darker Than Blue, located at 3034 Greenmount Ave.

Darker Than Blue is one of the city's most popular restaurants and has been held out as an example of community improvement on Greenmount Avenue in Waverly.

Baltimore City Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who represents the area, said she is sympathetic to Jenkins' decision and that she is hopeful that he will continue to work with the Waverly Main Street.

“I don’t blame Casey. He’s there to run a business which is hard enough,” Clarke said.