Baltimore-based Pitango Gelato is bringing its handcrafted Italian gelato to Annapolis's waterfront, with a new café planned for 124 Dock St. in the space once occupied by Bitty & Beau's Coffee. The company has signed a lease and franchise agreement for what will be its 10th location overall, and it's eyeing a spring 2027 opening, though an exact date has not yet been set.
The Annapolis café will be owned and operated by Sam and Semy Lee, who became Pitango's first-ever franchisees when they opened the brand's original franchise location in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, according to The Daily Record. Pitango is a Baltimore restaurant group specializing in artisanal Italian gelato and sorbet, and the company says it plans to announce the exact Anne Arundel County opening date closer to when the doors actually open. As Patch reports, the Dock Street spot previously housed Bitty & Beau's Coffee until that business closed in September.
A Milestone Tenth Shop, Built on Franchisee Loyalty
Pitango is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having been founded in 2006, per the same Patch report. Dinah Bengur, speaking for the company, called the moment a milestone, saying, “Reaching our 10th location is an exciting milestone, and having our first franchise owners choose to grow with us makes it especially meaningful.”
For Sam Lee, the decision to expand into Annapolis grew out of his own experience running the Alexandria shop. He said that experience showed him the value of having a neighborhood place for gelato and time together, and he added that Annapolis's waterfront setting and strong community make it a good fit for Pitango. Both Lees said they're excited to bring the Pitango experience to Dock Street.
What's on the Menu, and How It's Made
The Annapolis café will feature handcrafted gelato and sorbet made with simple, natural ingredients, using Italian-inspired techniques, and the products will be free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Beyond the gelato case, the shop will also offer espresso beverages, coffee, seasonal Italian-style sipping chocolate and baked goods.
Behind the scenes, Pitango runs a centralized gelato production facility in Glen Arm, Maryland, along with a bakery and cold storage facility in Baltimore, according to QSR Magazine. The trade publication notes that Pitango launched its franchise program in 2020 and relaunched it in 2023, with expansion initially targeting high-density, high-foot-traffic East Coast markets including Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware beach towns and the Carolinas.
Fresh Off a Virginia Opening
Annapolis won't be the only new Pitango storefront to open recently. The company opened a location at South Riding Market Square in Northern Virginia on October 28, its first in Loudoun County, according to The Burn. That outlet reported the grand opening there included welcome remarks at 4:45 p.m. followed by a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m., and noted Pitango had reached nine locations across the District, Northern Virginia and Maryland before the Annapolis plans were announced.
Opening Amid Ongoing City Dock Construction
The new café will arrive while Annapolis's City Dock remains a construction zone. Some nearby business owners have said the work has hurt foot traffic or left visitors unsure whether shops are still open, according to The Baltimore Banner. The outlet reports the project is expected to be finished by March 2028 if it stays on schedule, though it also notes the waterfront itself remains accessible, with visitors still able to walk from Main Street shops to grab a snack and stroll along the water.
