family business

Marcella Knight and Ricig discuss 40 years of Koco’s Pub and why crab cakes matter in Baltimore

BP Podcast Audio / August 30, 2025

The sign on the door says: ONLY NICE PEOPLE ALLOWED! And somehow Marcella Knight and the awesome folks at Koco’s Pub were still nice enough to allow us to celebrate their 40th Anniversary that required some #TastyNes Koconut Shrimp along on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour from the heart of Lauraville with tales of our favorite things to eat in Baltimore along with our favorite Ko-Host, sports cartoonist Ricig.

Arts and Entertainment, Baltimore Positive Classic, Business, C-Suite, Community, Crab Cake Tour, Featured, Journalism & Media, Leadership, Local, Local, Marketing, Nestor Aparicio, News, TastyNes, Travel

Celebrating 40 years of crab cake love with nice people only (and Koco-nut Shrimp) at Koco’s Pub

Baltimore Positive / August 28, 2025

Joe and Domenico DiPasquale tell Nestor about the move and expansion of their legendary Italian deli and eatery in Canton

BP Podcast Audio / July 15, 2025

This Maryland Crab Cake Tour stop was long overdue but sausage led to pasta and that led to the front door of the “new” Di Pasquale’s in Canton with chef Nancy Longo joining Nestor for a full history and origin story of the city’s most famous and beloved Italian eatery. Let Joe and Domenico Di Pasquale tell you about the move from Highlandtown and the expansion of their legendary tradition.

Arts and Entertainment, Baltimore Positive Classic, Business, C-Suite, Community, Crab Cake Tour, Education, Featured, Journalism & Media, Leadership, Local, Local, Marketing, Nestor Aparicio, News, Remember That Time, Travel

What makes Di Pasquale’s so special to East Baltimore?

Baltimore Positive / July 13, 2025

Pete Caringi and Darren The DiPasquale Sausage King discuss soccer and Highlandtown family for life

Nestor Aparicio / July 12, 2025

When the Di Pasquale’s family invited Nestor by the new Canton location to do the Maryland Crab Cake Tour, we knew we needed to gather around the Highlandtown soccer legend of Pete Caringi. Joined by Darren Paciocco (aka The Di Pasquale Sausage King), the trio discuss soccer, sausage and how the Pompei neighborhood sticks to together for life through Italian food and The Beautiful Game.

Pete and Christine tell Nestor the whole story of opening Costas Timonium to honor their beloved father

BP Podcast Audio / July 11, 2025

The new Costas Inn above the grandstand at the Timonium Racetrack and Fairgrounds is now open and thriving. Pete and Christine tell Nestor the incredible story of their family working to open a second location while mourning the loss of their father and patriarch. Let them tell you why having crabs wasn’t possible at the new location and why they want you to (still) come and see them in Dundalk, too!

Arts and Entertainment, Baltimore Positive Classic, Business, College Sports, Community, Crab Cake Tour, Featured, Hall of Fame, Journalism & Media, Leadership, Local, Local, Marketing, More Sports, Nestor Aparicio, News, Remember That Time, Sports, Sports News

Soccer and sausage and Highlandtown

Nestor Aparicio / July 10, 2025

Racing to Timonium to see the new Costas Inn

Nestor Aparicio / July 9, 2025

Bill Blocher and daughter Katie welcome Nestor back to Red Brick Station with three decades of stories, brews and sandwiches on The Avenue in White Marsh

BP Podcast Audio / May 15, 2025

Bill Blocher and his daughter Katie discussed the evolution of Red Brick Station, which opened in 1997 with seven breweries in Maryland. Bill highlighted the growth to 160 breweries today and the success of their homemade beer. They reminisced about the early days, including Bill’s decision to make his own beer despite skepticism. Katie shared her experience of returning from New York to manage the family business, which includes a wine bar and deli. They also discussed the community’s transformation, the importance of family involvement, and the success of their unique concept, which combines a brewery, restaurant, and now a wine bar.

Baltimore Positive Classic, Business, C-Suite, Community, Crab Cake Tour, Featured, Journalism & Media, Leadership, Local, Local, Marketing, Nestor Aparicio, News, Remember That Time, Travel

The legend of three decades of Red Brick Station brews and enduring strength of The Avenue in White Marsh

Baltimore Positive / May 13, 2025

It’s been almost 30 years since Bill Blocher of Red Brick Station in White Marsh told Nestor that The Avenue would be better than the mall and that craft beers made in local pubs would be the craze of the next century. Like The Fonz, Nestor can always admit when he was wrong. Our Maryland Crab Cake Tour takes us back to our roots and the comfort of home – and family!