Restaurant Supports Homeless Shelter, Reopens After Shutdown

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Light House Bistro will welcome diners Wednesday for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. The restaurant is owned and operated by the Light House Homeless Prevention Support Center, a shelter in Annapolis.

The eatery reinvests all its profits into the homeless shelter. Together, the shelter and the restaurant offer jobs and culinary training to people experiencing homelessness.

"The Light House Bistro gives people with employment barriers the opportunity to learn while developing a resume and earning a living wage," the eatery said on its website. "Light House Bistro serves our community by creating a warm, fun atmosphere where people can gather to eat, drink and give back to the community."

The bistro honors this local culture with its interior design. The 1950s chairs come from the dining hall at U.S. Naval Academy. Another seating area centers around a pew from St. Anne's Episcopal Church. And the decorations are from Bowen's Farm Supply store in Annapolis.

The restaurant makes everything from crab cake sandwiches to waffles and avocado toast. Patrons can now enjoy these specialties at a thoroughly-cleaned facility. Customers must wear their masks unless they are seated.

The pandemic may have paused indoor dining, but the Light House never stopped working. Last year, the organization served 200 percent more people through its food initiatives and 40 percent more people overall. Altogether, the shelter distributed 305,000 pounds of food in 2020.

"Since the crisis began, our Light House Bistro staff have been busy preparing and delivering meals and pantry items to community members in need," the eatery said in an email. "As our Light House Bistro staff continues this important work, we are also excited to be able to open our doors to customers again!"

The eatery is located at 202 West Street. It will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. Dine-in, carryout and curbside pickup options will all be available.

Click here to learn more about the restaurant. For more information on the shelter, head to annapolislighthouse.org.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts.

RELATED:

• Boy, 7, Donates 900 Pounds Of Food To Annapolis Homeless Shelter
• Homeless Shelter Gifted Large Donation By Anonymous Resident

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.