Old Bay on Everything: The Biggest Brands Born in Maryland and What the Old Line State Is Actually Buying

People hear "Maryland" and think crab cakes, the Chesapeake Bay, and maybe Ravens football. What they don't think about is that this small mid-Atlantic state is home to one of the most consequential collections of brands in America — a spice tin that became a cultural identity, a performance apparel company that rewrote the rules of athletic wear, and a hotel chain that dominates the global hospitality market. Here's the full story of Maryland's brand ecosystem and the highly educated, fiercely loyal consumers who shop there.