Le Bistro du Village, the French bistro that has anchored Mount Washington Village for years, is headed to the auction block as its owner retires. The property is being offered at public auction as a package that includes the two-story restaurant building, a seven-day liquor license, all furniture and kitchen equipment, and a second-floor apartment. Bidding is set to start at $200,000, with a live and simulcast auction scheduled for Thursday, June 4, and online bidding slated to open earlier that week.
As reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, the address is listed as 1609 Sulgrave Avenue, and the listing frames the sale as an owner's retirement. The auction is being handled by A.J. Billig & Co., which shows a $200,000 opening bid and an on-site sale time of 12:00 p.m. on June 4.
What’s Being Sold
Auction marketing materials describe the property as roughly 1,806 square feet with seating for more than 75 customers, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, and approvals for both indoor and outdoor dining. Those materials state that the sale conveys all furniture, fixtures, and equipment, and note that the buyer will be responsible for pursuing any necessary transfer of the seven-day liquor license, per Crexi.
Mount Washington’s Village Staple
Le Bistro has long been a neighborhood fixture, and for years it operated as Crêpe Du Jour and earned praise for its heated terrace and French bistro fare, according to reviews on Tripadvisor. Mount Washington Village is a compact, historic commercial strip that draws local diners and visitors, and the building sits near the light-rail stop at the heart of the neighborhood, per the Mount Washington Village Association. Local coverage also flagged the auction listing earlier this month, when Baltimore Fishbowl noted the sale.
How the Auction Will Work
The auctioneer's terms specify that live bidders must bring a $20,000 cashier’s check deposit to the sale and that the deposit must be increased to 10% of the purchase price within 24 hours. Online bidders are required to put down a 10% deposit by 4 p.m. on the day of the auction. A 6% buyer’s premium will be added to the final bid, and the building will be open for inspection one hour before the live auction, according to A.J. Billig & Co. Prospective bidders are advised to review the auction's sample contract and terms of sale before registering.
License Transfer and Legal Steps
Any buyer hoping to keep alcohol service at the site will need to secure approval from the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City, which handles transfers, fees, and timelines for approval. The board's transfer application and standard operating procedures outline filing requirements, fees, and the expectation that an approved transfer generally be completed within statutory timelines unless the board grants an extension, according to the Board of Liquor License Commissioners for Baltimore City. Applicants should expect the board to consider community input and to sometimes attach conditions or MOUs to approvals.
Le Bistro is expected to operate up to the auction date, and residents and restaurant-watchers will be watching to see whether a local buyer restores the space to another neighborhood dining spot. For full auction details, registration, and online bidding instructions, see the listing on AuctionZip.
