‘Block 10’ was the name of a barrack at Auschwitz, site of Nazi ‘crimes against humanity’
Local leaders are upset with the name of a restaurant that is soon to open in North Baltimore, urging the owner to consider the Jewish community’s concerns.
The Falls Road bar and restaurant was initially going to be called “Block 10,” which concerned some community members. “Block 10” was the name of a set of barracks at the Auschwitz concentration camp where Nazi doctors conducted medical experiments on hundreds of women.
Wayne Laing, the restaurant’s owner, told WBAL-TV 11 News that the name came about because the establishment was set to offer 10 private rooms that had originally been brick garages on Falls Road.
“It’s shaped like a block and that’s what I came up with, the name Block 10,” Laing told 11 News.
He added that he didn’t think much of the name because he had seen other establishments online with the same name. Baltimore Jewish Times found a coffee shop and restaurant called Block 10 in Sheffield, Iowa.
“People can’t possibly think that I’m a concentration camp,” Laing said. “I kind of put it in the back of my mind because I saw that there were two other locations using the Block 10 name. I was like, ‘OK, if they’re using it, it must not be anything relevant.’”
Kenny Purnell, a founding partner of the restaurant, was similarly unaware of the name’s history, saying his vision for the brand had been misinterpreted.
“When you typed in Block 10, this Nazi stuff came up, which we weren’t even aware of at the beginning,” Purnell told The Baltimore Sun. “We’re two African American owners. There’s no way we’re running a concentration camp.”
The Hampden Community Council and Baltimore Councilwoman Odette Ramos contacted Laing’s attorney to notify him of the connotation.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is horrible,’” Ramos told 11 News, adding that she asked Laing’s attorney to change the name of the restaurant.
Ramos said the lawyer assured her that there would be a name change and, days after, Laing changed the restaurant’s name to its current “Block X.” Ramos, the HCC and some community members continued to express concern as X is the Roman numeral 10.
“It wasn’t really a change,” Ramos said. “I represent a diverse district, including Jewish people, who are very upset about this. I would hope that he would understand the sensitivity that this has so that he would change the name.”
Laing said he wasn’t thinking about Roman numerals when rebranding and the “X” was solely an “undefined variable.”
“[The chef and I] were just thinking to come up with something to simplify the name because we already have the logo painted on the side of the building,” he said.
In a statement to 11 News, HCC said: “Block 10, located in the concentration camp of Auschwitz, was a site of Nazi crimes against humanity. It is a completely unacceptable name for a restaurant. … Hate has no place in Hampden, and HCC will oppose any business aligned or associated with antisemitism. We hope that the owner will do the right thing.”
A social media user wrote, “Naming a business without [G]oogling the domain name first is questionable enough, but then doubling down after being made aware of the provenance is downright disrespectful and ignorant.”
Laing said he somewhat understands why some community members take issue with the name, “but I know in my heart that’s not the predicate for the name.”
Ramos contacted Laing’s counsel again requesting an immediate name change.
“I will continue to fight against this name and this establishment until changes are made,” she said. “This community, our district and our city must stand firm in rejecting antisemitism and insensitivity to the suffering of others. Names have power, and this one has no place in any business or establishment.”
Laing said he would again consider changing the restaurant’s name.
The restaurant began as 10 separate garages, which inspired the name; now there is one main dining room and eight private dining rooms that each seat six patrons, according to the Sun. Laing said he had considered calling the restaurant “Block Eight,” but that it didn’t flow as easily as the original name. Purnell is willing to take that route.
“I’m willing to change it to Block Eight if it offends people that much,” Purnell said, clarifying that he isn’t “trying to offend any community.”
“Hopefully, he’ll change the name as a sign of good faith,” Ramos told the Sun.
