Crafty Crab Opens Where Uncle Lee's Used To Be

BALTIMORE, MD — A centrally located restaurant in downtown Baltimore has undergone a change in owners and in cuisine. The building formerly home to Uncle Lee's Restaurant was sold, according to MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services.

The 5,900-square-foot building housed a Chinese restaurant owned and operated by the Lee family since 1982, real estate officials said.

"It was a pleasure working with the Lee family on this sale," said MacKenzie Vice President Jim Grieves, who represented the seller. Retiring after years of owning a successful business, the family sold the building for $1.1 million, according to Grieves.

"I wish the new owner success with their newest venture," Grieves said.

Zhuang Hong Lin purchased the building, which was built in 1905 and had also been the former home of Farmers & Merchants National Bank. Lin recently reopened the location as the Crafty Crab restaurant.

The Crafty Crab specializes in New Orleans-style seafood and has several businesses in Maryland — Bowie, District Heights, Eastpoint Mall, Randallstown, Towson and Waldorf — as well as in Texas, the Carolinas, Florida and Georgia.

Because Baltimore restaurants are not open for indoor dining at the moment due to the coronavirus, the restaurant is open for carryout only.

Crafty Crab is at 44 South Street, which is at the corner of Lombard Street.