Dear Friends,
It is difficult to know where to begin.
For five wonderful years, Welcome Home Markets has had the privilege of calling Annapolis home. We arrived with boxes to unpack, shelves to fill, and a dream of creating a place where beautiful objects, practical tools, and genuine hospitality could come together. What we found was something far greater than we imagined: a community that welcomed us, encouraged us, and became part of our story.
Today, with both gratitude and a touch of sadness, I am writing to share that our Annapolis store will be closing.
In May, we learned that our building was in need of some repairs that required us to relocate more than half of our inventory in order to facilitate the project. At the same time, our lease was nearing its conclusion. After many conversations and much reflection, we worked with the wonderful owners of our building to bring our lease to a close a little earlier than anticipated.
For me, there was another consideration as well. As many of you know, I live with muscular dystrophy. Running a small business is a labor of love, but it is also physically demanding. This unexpected turn gave me an opportunity to make a thoughtful decision about where to focus my energy. Closing our store in Annapolis allows me to devote more attention to our Easton and Chestertown stores, continue growing Welcome Home Markets, and care for my own health and wellbeing.
While this chapter is ending, Welcome Home Markets is not. We will continue serving customers in Easton and Chestertown, as well as online at welcomehomemarkets.com. Gift cards may be redeemed at either of our remaining locations or online, and we will gladly apply a shipping discount for Annapolis customers redeeming gift cards through our website.
As I reflect on these past five years, what comes to mind are not the displays, the products, or even the countless boxes we unpacked. What I remember are the people.
We delighted in helping families prepare for holiday gatherings, wedding celebrations, and weeknight dinners. We helped create gift baskets for new babies, bridal showers, retirements, and birthdays. We helped guests find the perfect kitchen tool, the softest sheets, and thoughtful gifts for the people they love. We celebrated milestones with you, and in small ways, became part of your homes and traditions.
We had the pleasure of welcoming incoming classes of St. John's College and the United States Naval Academy year after year. We watched in wonder as the North Street State House building came down and rose again, and as the Maryland State House grounds were beautifully transformed. We shared recommendations for favorite restaurants, hidden gems, and beloved Maryland towns. We celebrated local makers, artists, and fellow small businesses whose passion continually inspired us.
And then there were the quieter moments.
The familiar faces who stopped in every few weeks. The customers who became friends. The conversations about recipes, grandchildren, vacations, dogs, books, and life. The laughter shared across the counter. The simple pleasure of helping someone find exactly what they didn't know they were looking for. Those are the moments I will carry with me.
Over the last five years, thousands of guests have walked through our doors. Every visit, purchase, recommendation, kind word, and expression of support helped sustain not only our business, but also our belief that independent retail still matters. You reminded us every day that people continue to value connection, community, and the experience of shopping locally.
And while we are saying goodbye, the building itself is beginning a new chapter. I hope you'll keep an eye on the amazing team at Flagship Property Management as they breathe new life into one of the sweetest buildings on State Circle. We've loved being its caretakers for a little while, and we look forward to seeing what comes next for this special place that has been part of Annapolis for generations.
Thank you for welcoming us into Annapolis. Thank you for supporting a small business. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives, your celebrations, your homes, and your memories.
While our storefront may be closing, the relationships and memories built here will remain among the greatest gifts of these past five years. The quiet, cherished moments will stay with me forever.
We’ll see you soon in Chestertown & Easton!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Jenn Baker
Founder, Welcome Home Markets
