Less than two weeks before he plans to open a new restaurant named Block 10 in Hampden, Kenny Purnell said he was caught off guard by public outcry against its name, which he and a partner designed around a concept and a logo.

“When you typed in Block 10, this Nazi stuff came up, which we weren’t even aware about at the beginning of it,” Purnell said. “We’re two African-American owners. There’s no way we’re running a concentration camp.”

But the name stunned some community members. “Block 10” was the name of an infamous set of barracks at the Auschwitz concentration camp where Nazi doctors experimented on men and women.

“I received several complaints from residents saying, ‘Why would he name this after something so horrific that occurred with the Nazis,'” said Baltimore Councilwoman Odette Ramos, whose district includes Hampden. “We have really been clear that it’s something that is very sensitive, and we don’t tolerate antisemitsm here in our district or in our city.”

Purnell said he and Wayne Laing, who both previously ran 13.5% Wine Bar in Hampden, initially came up with “The Block 10” to describe a shape and a 10-dining room layout of transformed former brick garages on Falls Road.

After Ramos and others complained, the owners changed the name to “Block X,” using the Roman numeral 10. But community members argue that’s no less offensive and are requesting another change.

On Monday, Purnell defended his vision as innovative and grossly misinterpreted. He also said he is willing to rename the restaurant, possibly to “Block Eight.”

“I’m willing to change it to Block Eight if it offends people that much,” he said.

Purnell believes the controversy over the name arose after people heard it and searched online to find out more about the restaurant.

“We’re not trying to offend any community,” he said. “Even our menu, we have food for everybody no matter where you come from in the world. We just want to uplift this community and add to what’s already going on in the Hampden area.”

The restaurateurs said they have poured about $1 million and months of work into converting a piece of Falls Road behind Red Fish Liquors, which they said had become an eyesore. The garages had become rundown and trash-filled, Purnell said.

“This is upgrading the neighborhood compared to what it used to look like,” Purnell said.

The partners are now putting the finishing touches on a project that includes a newly built commercial kitchen, one main dining room and eight private dining rooms that seat six each, centered around an outdoor courtyard. Originally, there were 10 separate garages, leading to the original name.

In private, thematically designed rooms, diners will be able to control music and programs on flat screen TVs, choosing from options such as the Ravens room and the Orioles room. The owners plan to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and promise a menu with “food for everybody.”

He sees the dining privacy option as in demand by people who want to work during meals, watch sports, gather more privately with family or otherwise face fewer distractions while eating out.

History behind the property’s proposed redevelopment may have added to current tensions, Ramos said. She said zoning allows a restaurant use.

But in 2022, the owner sought city approval to redevelop the site as a Korean restaurant that also would include live entertainment at a Karaoke bar. City zoning officials denied the entertainment component after nearby residents raised concerns about parking noise.

The restaurateurs have applied for a liquor license and had been in negotiations with nearby residents over some of the business terms.

“Hopefully, he’ll change the name as a sign of good faith,” Ramos said. “I support small business … It’s just been a frustrating situation for everybody.”

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