One of Hampden's most recognizable corners on The Avenue is about to go to the highest bidder. The three-story commercial block at 1001-03 W. 36th St., home to local favorites Ma Petite Shoe and a tattoo parlor, is headed to an online auction later this month. Bidding is set to open Friday, July 24, and run through Wednesday, July 29.
Sale reported by Baltimore Business Journal
The pending sale was first reported Tuesday by the Baltimore Business Journal, which identified the three-story block on The Avenue as being slated for auction. The brief item flagged the corner building as a notable commercial listing along Hampden's main retail strip.
Listing, opening bid and timeline
Broker and MLS postings tied to the deal show an opening bid of $650,000 and indicate that the property hit the market in early July. Those listings say online bidding will begin Friday, July 24, and close Wednesday, July 29, at noon, with registration and deposit instructions available through the listing agent. Coldwell Banker notes the $650,000 figure in its market listing.
Tenants and rent roll
Marketing materials from the auctioneer list Ma Petite Shoe and Transmission Tattoo as ground-floor tenants and describe the building as five income-producing units with a pro forma gross annual rental income in the low six figures, according to CREXi. The offering includes unit-level rents and lease start dates that prospective buyers can review in the diligence package. Those documents are bundled into the online auction packet prepared by the listing broker.
What this means for Ma Petite Shoe
Ma Petite Shoe moved into a larger storefront at 1001 W. 36th in late 2022 after a pandemic closure, and owner Susannah Siger told Baltimore Fishbowl, "The support has been incredible." The shop's return turned the corner back into an anchor for foot traffic on The Avenue, and neighbors will be watching closely to see whether the auction brings new ownership or continuity under the current leases. The retail mix on the block is one of the selling points highlighted for potential buyers in the marketing packet.
How the auction will work
The sale is being handled as an online-only auction through Alex Cooper Auctioneers, with the listing stating that bidders must register, pay an initial deposit, and accept the auction terms before they can participate. The auction packet reportedly includes existing leases, a Phase I environmental report, and a sample purchase agreement for review before the sale, according to the broker's materials. Interested parties are directed to the auctioneer's portal to view documents and place bids, as outlined in the offering, per CREXi.
Neighborhood context
The Avenue is a compact, heavily walked retail strip where a change at a single corner can ripple down the block. Local merchant directories list 1001 W. 36th St. as the address for Ma Petite Shoe, underscoring how central the storefront is to Hampden foot traffic. That visibility is a big reason the property's sale is drawing attention beyond the usual investor crowd. Hampden Merchants notes the store in its neighborhood directory.
For now, would-be buyers and curious neighbors can review the listing and register through the auctioneer's site, while broker postings carry up-to-date details and contact information for the listing agents. We will update readers if the auction produces a buyer or other developments on The Avenue. Coldwell Banker
