Ruth’s Chris Steak House is packing up its longtime Eastport digs and heading across the bridge to Annapolis Town Center, with the new spot slated to open in late fall 2026. The Severn Avenue restaurant will shut down as the franchisee shifts operations into a larger, mall-side space, moving one of Eastport’s most recognizable chains from the peninsula’s quieter restaurant row to the busier Parole shopping hub.
New space at Annapolis Town Center
According to Eye On Annapolis, Federal Realty has confirmed that Ruth’s Chris will occupy a 10,150-square-foot space at Annapolis Town Center. Plans call for a ground-level entrance with stairs and an elevator leading to a second-floor dining room that will overlook the center’s entertainment green. The move fills a large box that has been sitting empty since a previous chophouse exited and will give Ruth’s Chris significantly more dining and private-event space than the current Eastport location. The landlord and franchisee say the new layout is tailored to drive more large-party business and keep traffic steady throughout the year.
Owner: 'Annapolis Town Center presented the ideal opportunity'
In a statement to Eye On Annapolis, owner-franchisee Steve de Castro said, “Annapolis Town Center presented the ideal opportunity to open our restaurant to an easily accessible area where we know our diners are already spending time.” He added that the team is eager to welcome guests into the expanded dining and entertaining space in late fall 2026 and confirmed that the Eastport restaurant will close as the move is carried out. A specific closing date for the Severn Avenue spot has not yet been announced.
Federal Realty's remerchandising push
Federal Realty, which bought Annapolis Town Center in October 2025, has been reshaping the property to lure higher-profile dining and retail brands, as detailed in its acquisition press release. The center is anchored by a Whole Foods Market and a Life Time fitness club and features national retailers, the company says, that match the area’s strong retail fundamentals. In the center’s leasing materials, a 10,150-square-foot space at 1906 Towne Centre Blvd is listed as available. That space is the box Ruth’s Chris will take over, confirming both the footprint and the Town Center address.
What Eastport will lose
The Annapolis Ruth’s Chris has been a fixture on Eastport’s Restaurant Row since opening in 1996, anchoring the end of Severn Avenue and serving regulars and private events for decades, according to What's Up? Media. The current franchise page lists the restaurant’s address as 301 Severn Avenue. Once the move is complete, Eastport’s tightly packed strip of independent and regional restaurants will lose a longstanding national brand that has helped draw reservations and event traffic to the corridor.
Timeline and what to watch
Both the franchise owner and Federal Realty say the Parole location is expected to be ready by late fall 2026, though they have not released a detailed schedule for either the Eastport closure or the Town Center opening. As buildout advances and permits are filed, look for more information on valet options, reservation systems, and private-dining capacity. This story will be updated once Federal Realty and Ruth’s Chris share firm dates and outline what is planned for the soon-to-be-vacant Severn Avenue space.
