Marie Louise Bistro closes after 18 years in Mount Vernon

Marie Louise Bistro has closed after almost two decades in Mount Vernon, owner Marie Ransome confirmed Wednesday.

The restaurant at 904 N. Charles St. opened in 2008 inside the former home of Gampy’s. A review that ran in The Baltimore Sun in 2009 said that after just a few months, the bistro had “already established itself as a neighborhood restaurant.” A French-inspired menu featured staples like onion soup and steak tartare as well as a few Italian and Mediterranean dishes.

Ransome did not provide a reason for the shutdown or respond to additional questions but thanked customers for their patronage over the years in a statement sent via text message.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Mount Vernon and Baltimore City for the past 18 years,” she wrote. “We will always be grateful for the beautiful community that embraced us and made this journey possible.”

Ransome previously noted declining foot traffic in the surrounding neighborhood, telling The Baltimore Banner earlier this year that the area “feels like a ghost town at night.” The restaurant eliminated lunch service as workers in the area shifted to remote work. Ransome said 2025 was Marie Louise Bistro’s slowest year.

Mount Vernon has seen a number of other business closures in the past year, including cafe Baby’s on Fire and The Brewer’s Art.