Business

The minds behind a new Bethesda mental health clinic are plotting more locations, launching more services, hiring more therapists and tapping more insurers to meet intense demand for care in the region — and make sure patients can actually get it. Ellie Mental Health Bethesda at 8120 Woodmont Ave., which local franchise owner Shahzad Dastgir opened in September, is the first of multiple Maryland practices on his roadmap.

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) will host its 2023 annual meeting May 25, the first since its merger with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB). During the event, expected to be attended by more than 700 of the greater Baltimore region’s top leaders in business, technology, education, real estate and the civic community, new President and CEO Mark Anthony Thomas and the GBC team will unveil its multiyear agenda to advance the region.

With a huge painting of a cracked egg on its exterior, it’s hard to miss Home Maid, a restaurant located on Key Highway in the heart of Federal Hill. It’s intimate and homey inside, with wallpaper comprised of classic black-and-white photography and four-top tables. Though the spot is only open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the chefs there handcraft some of Baltimore’s most impressive brunch items.

“Bluffajo” is a term in Liberia that refers to someone, male or female, who possesses confidence, said Maisie Dunbar, the woman behind a Maryland-based cosmetics company that strives to instill confidence in all who wear it. Dunbar is the president and founder of the Maisie Dunbar Global Beauty Brands featuring Bluffajo products.

Morgan State University is getting ready for the first phase of development on the recently acquired Lake Clifton site by building a $262 million convocation center. The convocation center would hold between 8,000 and 10,000 people and is just one of several projects Morgan State has planned for the 59-acre former Lake Clifton High School property, which it acquired last year.

MGM National Harbor, the top-grossing casino in the United States outside of Las Vegas, is making room for its growing traffic indoors and out. The Prince George’s County resort recently unveiled an expanded outdoor gaming patio and larger indoor casino floor, adding roughly 8,000 square feet between the two projects.

Another type of derby — sans horses — will be taking place this week at the renovated Lexington Market. The “Crab Derby” will return to Lexington Market at 112 N. Eutaw St. on Wednesday after a five-year hiatus. The race dates back to 1857 when two Lexington Market vendors got into an argument about who had the fastest crab, according to the market. The crab racing tradition is usually held every year during the week before Preakness Stakes, which take place this Saturday.

If you’re interested in trying new cuisines, look no further, as MoCo Eats week kicks off this Sunday, May 14. This is the third annual MoCo Eats Week, which celebrates the diversity of Montgomery County through its cuisine. Select restaurants are offering food and drink specials such as prix fixe menus and tapas. This is part of Visit Montgomery’s Discover MoCo Month, an initiative focused on supporting the county’s many food and beverage businesses.