When Colleen Wolfe and her husband Chris Ritshe decided to buy their home five years ago, they were immediately drawn to Locust Point.
The community, which sits on a peninsula, is known as very close knit and well kept, the kind of place where neighbors sit out on their front and back porches. That camaraderie really appealed to the couple.
“My husband and I needed to move for his commute into D.C.,” said Wolfe, who also noted they enjoy raising their 5 year old daughter Michaela in the close-knit community. “We picked Locust Point because it’s quieter [than other places]. It’s got the great feel of a community.”
Resident Depue “Hap” Duffey, who left Timonium to move to the area with his wife about six years ago, said the mix of ages and lifestyles of the residents — everyone from retirees to 20 and 30 somethings — keeps the community vibrant.
“This is a very close knit, very small, well-defined area. It’s very safe,” said Duffey. “We’ve got it all-you don’t even have to get in your car. We can walk to just about any restaurant or store.”
One might think that the introduction of more high-tech businesses would change the character of the area. Not so said realtor Dorian Keydash, who works with Re/Max Sails in nearby Federal Hill.
“[Locust Point] is full of pride,” said Keydash. “Even before the big surge of renovation, there were no dilapidated homes here.”
In addition to swept sidewalks, evidence of pride shows in the Locust Point Civic Association (LPCA), which has 12 committees that serve every imaginable neighborhood function from zoning to beautification to socializing.
Residents convene in June for a community picnic, August for a yard sale and September for the annual Star Spangled Festival.
“The upcoming festival is one of the best community festivals around,” said resident Laura Lewis.
The festival is the LPCA’s only fundraising event. Money raised goes to activities and charities supported by the association.
But that’s not to say Locust Point is stuck in a time warp. Far from it. The past few years have seen an increase in high-tech business move to the area. While that concerned some residents initially, they’ve been heartened to find it hasn’t changed the flavor of the area.
“We loved Timonium but we really love it here,” said Cheryl Duffey, Hap’s wife. “When changes come they can be good or they can be detrimental. Overall, these changes have been very good.”
They also haven’t dampened the community’s enthusiasm for fun as evidenced by the many festivals the area boasts.
“It’s very family friendly,” Tony Vittoria, president of the LPCA and 4-year resident. “We have a [great time here].”
