Nothing says “I’ll take care of you” better than “let me make you a sandwich.” Hello Trouble will be a Baltimore-grown cafe and luncheonette serving great sandwiches, strong espresso and handmade pastries. A neighborhood spot built for community, conversation, and people who know a good meal can fix most things.

Hello Trouble is slated to open this fall in the Hamilton neighborhood, helmed by Chef Andrew Weinzirl.

The Vision

I have wanted to open a coffee shop long before I wanted to be a chef or even knew how to cook. Where I grew up in Carroll County, we didn’t have any cool cafes as community hubs, especially not for adolescents. In 2001, after I graduated high school, my best friend and I road tripped to Seattle, where we stumbled upon amazing spaces – especially in Ft. Collins, CO, and Seattle. These formative experiences in those hybrid third places – coffee shop / counterculture art space / music venue / community space – planted a seed early on. I knew that one day I wanted something like this of my own.

Our vision is a place that honors the rhythm of daily life: morning espresso at the counter, a sandwich we made just for you, a pastry you didn’t plan on but are glad you ordered, and a space that makes you want to stay a little longer.

The Menu

Having opened Maggie’s Farm and worked for local stalwarts of the farm-to-table movement like Artifact Coffee / Woodberry Kitchen and The Chameleon, sourcing is very important to me. What we can get locally and ethically, we will. What we can't, we will get the best quality possible from producers and makers we trust.

After all, we’ll be selling a lot of coffee and tea, two things that don’t grow locally or even domestically. What matters is that we work with roasters & importers who are transparent about their sourcing practices and are committed to fair trade, livable wages, and sustainable agriculture. Most of what we serve is made in house, but some things we just can’t do justice (like ketchup!)

With a focus on breakfast, bowls and sandwiches, Hello Trouble is inspired by the diners I used to frequent as a kid and the delis, sandwich shops and coffee shops I've loved as an adult. Not just the food, but the everyday hospitality…I don’t think anything says “let me take care of you” better than “Let me make you a sandwich.”

Why Hamilton?

In 2009, after losing my father, I was not in a good place. I ended up losing my job and found my way to the Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood — and The Chameleon Cafe. The way I was welcomed into that community never left me. That's why I returned when Jeff Smith was looking to sell it, and why I raised two daughters here.

When I moved here the restaurant scene was vibrant: Maggie's, The Red Canoe, Koco's, Tooloulou, Zeke's, The Parkside, Clementine, Hamilton Tavern, Hamilton Bakery...

Living just a few minutes from Main Street and watching that strip lose countless businesses over the years has been disheartening. Ever since I sold my portion of Maggie's, I have been on a journey to come back.

When I heard Maillard was closing, it was somewhere between a final straw and a call to action. I couldn’t bear to see another space on Harford Rd. sit vacant — especially my go-to place for morning coffee and a pastry.

I believe in this neighborhood, this community, the people who live here and love it. I don't think I can bemoan the state of the neighborhood if I'm not willing to be a part of the solution. Hello Trouble is my chance to do that.

My hope is to create the kind of place I fell in love with when I first arrived here: a welcoming gathering space, a neighborhood fixture, and a business that contributes to the community that has given so much to me over the years.

Your Support At Work

Your generous donations will help fund decor updates, facade updates, an espresso machine, brewers, water filtration system, and some new kitchen equipment.