Hampden Community Rallies to Support Falkenhan's Hardware Employees After Fire

Neighborhood volunteers organized a sold-out fundraiser at Union Craft Brewing to assist workers impacted by the December blaze.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A fundraiser at Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood raised money for the employees of Falkenhan's Hardware, a beloved local store that was destroyed by a fire in December 2025. About half a dozen workers have been unable to return to their jobs since the blaze, and neighborhood volunteers organized the event featuring over 100 auction items to directly support those employees.

Why it matters

Falkenhan's Hardware has been a fixture in the Hampden community for decades, and the fire that destroyed the store has had a significant impact on its loyal employees. The community's outpouring of support through the fundraiser demonstrates the tight-knit nature of the neighborhood and its commitment to looking out for one another, especially in times of crisis.

The details

The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. on December 15, 2025, with no one inside the store at the time. Investigators determined the fire was accidental and electrical in nature. Edye Sanford, a volunteer and close friend of the store's owner, Deb Falkenhan, said Deb paid the employees out of her own pocket for a while, but eventually relented and allowed the fundraiser to be organized, with all proceeds going directly to the affected workers.

  • The fire broke out around 6:30 a.m. on December 15, 2025.
  • The fundraiser at Union Craft Brewing was held on March 9, 2026.

The players

Falkenhan's Hardware

A beloved local hardware store in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore that was destroyed by a fire in December 2025.

Edye Sanford

A volunteer and close friend of the store's owner, Deb Falkenhan, who rushed to the scene when she heard about the fire.

Deb Falkenhan

The owner of Falkenhan's Hardware, who paid the employees out of her own pocket for a while after the fire before allowing the fundraiser to be organized.

St. Luke's Church on the Avenue

The nonprofit sponsor of the fundraiser, which is accepting donations through Venmo and check.

Union Craft Brewing

The Baltimore brewery that hosted the sold-out fundraiser for the Falkenhan's Hardware employees.

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What they’re saying

“I couldn't believe it, I jumped in the car and went down to be with her.”

— Edye Sanford, Volunteer and close friend of the store's owner (wmar2news.com)

“Deb paid them out of her own pocket for quite a while and now she is, she finally relented. She didn't want to do any kind of fundraiser and finally relented as long as it was just for the employees.”

— Edye Sanford, Volunteer and close friend of the store's owner (wmar2news.com)

“It really makes such a difference, it shows the love this community has.”

— Edye Sanford, Volunteer and close friend of the store's owner (wmar2news.com)

“It just makes me feel really good. I've been here 39 years so I'm hoping to be a local someday. There's no place I'd rather be, we really look out for each other. As soon as we put tickets up for sale, they were going like crazy. We were confident the event would sell out because that's just the way the neighborhood is, people look out for each other.”

— Edye Sanford, Volunteer and close friend of the store's owner (wmar2news.com)

What’s next

Those who were unable to attend Monday's event can still donate to the fundraiser's nonprofit sponsor, St. Luke's Church on the Avenue, by sending a Venmo payment to "ChurchOnTheAvenue" or through a check with "FEF" in the memo and on the envelope.

The takeaway

The community's swift and generous response to support the employees of Falkenhan's Hardware after the devastating fire demonstrates the tight-knit nature of the Hampden neighborhood and its commitment to looking out for one another, even in the face of adversity.