Riptide, a well-known seafood restaurant in Baltimore's Fells Point, has announced it will shutter its doors permanently tomorrow. After six years of operations, the establishment invites the public to join them for one "last ride" featuring a guest appearance by Tim and The Animal. "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 in a social media post reported by CBS News Baltimore.

Several factors have led to Riptide's closure, including financial strain exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a surge in crime that has troubled the area. "I took a last look at the numbers and what we have to pay each month versus what we make each month just didn't add up," owner Justin Brockmeyer stated in an interview, as per FOX Baltimore.

Riptide is not an isolated case of business downturns in Fells Point. Other establishments, such as Bondhouse Kitchen, have also recently ceased operations. CBS News Baltimore reported that the popular Baltimore brunch restaurant had closed on Sunday after four years. Additionally, a long-standing venue, Mother's Grille, announced the closure of its Federal Hill location, set to take place on January 19, after 27 years of serving the community.

Business owners in the area have ascribed some of the challenges faced to city policies, citing tightened parking restrictions as a deterrent for prospective customers. After 5 pm, parking on residential streets is restricted, potentially discouraging visits to the district. Economist Anirban Basu of the Sage Policy Group criticized the city's strategy to FOX Baltimore, emphasizing the difficulty of replacing entrepreneurs and the need for investments to promote safety and patronage. As for Brockmeyer, he insisted the key to revitalization is finding a way "to get tourist back here and that's what will make this place work again."