Entrepreneurship : Development News

Philadelphia's best loved food export is making its way to Annapolis. Philly Flash will sell Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks at the Annapolis Towne Centre beginning in mid-to-late August. Donna and Joseph DeCesaris are investing $500,000 to open their second store.

The 65-seat restaurant will add 11 jobs to the local economy. The menu will also serve subs, wings and pizza.Cheesesteaks start at $6.00 and pizza costs about $9.

The first Philly Flash opened in October 2008 at 1901 West Street, in downtown Annapolis. Last year, What's Up Annapolis magazine declared Philly Flash the best cheesesteak venue in town.

Joseph DeCesaris' parents are originally from Philadelphia and her husband developed the special Philly Flash spice blend, a mix of salt, paprika, garlic, black and red pepper that is sprinkled on cheesesteaks and fries.

The store will be outfitted with a drag racing theme because Joseph DeCesaris' family operated Cecil County Dragway in Rising Sun.

The couple chose Annapolis Towne Centre because they thought it was a good opportunity to get high visibility and foot traffic that co-tenants Target and Whole Foods Market attract, Donna DeCesaris says.

Located at 2505 Riva Road, Annapolis Towne Centre is a $500 million retail, office and residential complex that houses a Main Street-style town center. Developed by Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corp., its other stores include Bed Bath & Beyond, Brio Tuscan Grill, Restoration Hardware and Sur La Table. The development has recently attracted new restaurants. Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar is set to open in September and Cadillac Ranch opened in June.

"It's a destination kind of place," DeCesaris says of Annapolis Towne Centre.

"It's a friendly town," Donna DeCesaris says of Annapolis, where her kids attended high school.


Source: Donna DeCesaris, Philly Flash
Writer: Julekha Dash

Charles Street's restaurant offerings will soon include fish tacos and one-and-a-half-pound burritos. Ken Diaz will open Gordito's Caf� at 336 N. Charles Street, replacing Milton's Grill, by October. A former restaurant consultant who has worked for Edo Sushi, Mari Luna Mexican Grill and Lebanese Taverna, Diaz is spending $250,000 of his own money to start the 85-seat eatery.

Gordito's offerings will include traditional Mexican dishes, including a gordita, a corn cake stuffed with meat, and a torta, a sandwich with thinly sliced steak or chicken. Flour and corn tortillas will be homemade.

Smaller items will cost between $6 and $10 while the king-size burrito that can feed two will cost $14.  Lunch and dinner entrees will average around $15.

Authentic Mexican drinks will be on the menu as well at the 2,500-square-foot restaurant. Those include Mexican Bloody Marys, a Mexican black and tan (beer and brand) and, of course, margaritas.

Using the tagline cocina, cultura, historia for his new concept, Diaz wants to give diners a taste of Mexican culture and history and not just its flavorful spices. Gordito's will feature Mexican bingo and Mariachi bands every week and display photos of Aztec warriors and cinema stars.

Though some restaurants are struggling now in a down economy, Diaz isn't worried. With no other Mexican restaurants in the downtown area, he has little competition and hopes that if you offer good food and service at a reasonable price, the people will come.

In fact, if things go well, Diaz hopes to open five to seven additional locations in Greater Baltimore within a few years.
 
Diaz chose the Downtown area because he admired the neighborhood's eclectic mix of people and historic architecture. His own building includes an entire wall with exposed brick.

"I fell in love with the space," he says.

To read more about downtown, go here.


Source: Ken Diaz, Gordito's
Writer: Julekha Dash

In the Middle Ages, alchemists sought to transform ordinary metals into gold. Now, a couple from Harford County hopes to conjure the same spell to bring in business at their new Hampden restaurant Alchemy.

Debi Bell-Matassa and Michael Matassa expect the eatery at 1011 W. 36th St. to open the first week of August. "We want to create something magical on the plate," Bell-Matassa says.

Dishes include house-smoked trout crepe, snapper with pancetta and butternut squash soup. Bell-Matassa will bake all the pastries and desserts in house. Brunch items will include cinnamon rolls with cream cheese Limoncello frosting and a breakfast souffl�.

A graduate of Napa's Culinary Institute of America, Bell-Matassa caters a lot of weddings and bah mitzvahs and her corporate clients include Boordy Vineyards and Northrup Grumman.

The couple are investing $225,000 to open the restaurant, the bulk of which was spent to purchase kitchen equipment and redo the heating system. 

Restaurant owner Alan Suissa wants to take you on a trip to North Africa.
And you won't need your passport.

Suissa and business partner Kenny Mahil opened French-Moroccan restaurant Tangiers Bistro Bar and Martini Lounge earlier this month in the Canton neighborhood.

Born in Casablanca, Suissa wanted to recreate the cuisine of his French Moroccan Jewish heritage. What makes it distinct from traditional Morrocan fare is that that is spicier and relies heavily on cumin and less on dried fruits like apricots and prunes.

The small plates, or mezze, dishes include fried spicy eggplant, grilled lamb and beef sausage and salmon tagine. The dishes cost between $5 and $11. Suissa's grandmother, who was born in Tangiers, is the inspiration for the food, along with his mom and aunt who work in the kitchen.

Suissa and Mahil spent about $100,000 to renovate the 200-seat Canton spot at 845 S. Montford Ave.  Suissa declined to say how much the partners paid for the property, formerly Red Fish restaurant. The 5,000-square-foot building is valued at about $474,000, according to state property records.

Having worked for the World Bank and the Washington Post Co.'s food and beverage divisions, Suissa is now making his first foray into the Baltimore market.

He liked the heavily trafficked location, facing Boston Street and in between Fells Point and Canton Square. He also likes the waterfront location.

"I fell in love with the building and location," Suissa says. "I heard from many people that the area is up and coming."

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Alan Suissa, Tangier's

Erica Russo is no stranger to the restaurant business.

Her parents have worked in the industry and currently own Edie's Deli & Grill in downtown Baltimore. Russo herself has managed several restaurants, including the Greene Turtle and Carrabba's Italian Grill. She also spent two years working in the finance department of a marketing firm.

But now Russo finally thinks it's time to strike out on her own -- just not from an office. She and her parents, Eva and Jimmy Chin, opened the Point in Fells May 28  (where Miss Irene's was once located) at 1738 Thames Street with a staff of 30. "It's more rewarding when it's your place," Russo says.

Serving both small and large plates, the Point is a gastro pub and bistro that has a bar with TV screens downstairs for sports fans and a white tablecloth restaurant upstairs. The eclectic menu includes tuna ceviche, a mushroom salad with udon noodles, duck breast and arctic char. Large plates cost between $18 and $24 while small plates cost between $10 and $14.

Russo relies on local purveyors including Martin Seafood Co., Fells Point Wholesale Meat and Fig Leaf Farm to supply the 200-seat restaurant. Russo says she is not concerned that the previous restaurant closed in less than a year.

"That was a different restaurant with different ownership. You just have to have the right concepts and the right people to do it," Russo says.

She is getting help in the areas of customer service and payroll from her mom and dad. The restaurateur hopes she can attract a mix of tourists and businessmen and women to the waterfront locale. "I just fell in love with the spot. It overlooks the water and gets lot of foot traffic," Russo says. 

Source: Erica Russo, the Point in Fells Point
Writer: Julekha Dash

Three months after opening in downtown Bel Air, Ed Sheet already has his eye on an expansion.

Sheet, the owner of Chesapeake Cycle & Sport, hopes to move into a 2,500-square-foot store within two years. His current store in Bel Air is 1,100 square feet.

It's the second bike store for Sheet, who opened his Havre de Grace location in 2008. The expansion to Bel Air was intended to make it more convenient for customers who live in Fallston or Forest Hill who don't want to make the trek to Havre de Grace.

The two stores will pull in $1 million in sales this year, he says.

Sheet chose the spot at 116 S. Main Street because it is close to another sports shop, Charm City Run. Owners of the two shops can rely on one another's mailing lists and host joint promotional events. He's also excited about the Main Street revitalization efforts. 

The inventory focuses mainly on road bikes and triathlon bikes, with 30 to 40 bikes in stock at any one time. After he moves into a bigger store, Sheet hopes to house more than 200 bikes, including hybrid, cruiser and kids' cycles, like his Havre de Grace. He also hopes to house more accessories, apparel, and a larger service department.

"Bike service is important to the reputation and longevity of the store," Sheet says.

The business owners says he preferred to open in the 208-year-old historic building over a strip mall because the rent is about one-third the price and the property includes historic details like wood floors and a tin ceiling.

Because he also owns a property management company, Sheet's spent just $2,500 to rehab the space.


Source: Ed Sheet, Chesapeake Cycle & Sport
Writer: Julekha Dash

After three years of jockeying for space in craft shows, jewelry designer Susan Morris decided the time was right to showcase her products in her own space.

Morris opened boutique Simply Charmed in downtown Bel Air June 5. In addition to selling her own bracelets and necklaces, the store displays the work of 14 other artists. Located at 138 N. Bond St., Simply Charmed sells candles, wine glasses, dresses, purses and home d�cor.

Selling at shows is tough because you have to apply and be accepted and there is typically a limit on the amount of jewelry an artist can sell, Morris says. "I've always had a dream of opening a boutique," Morris says. "Vendors shows are a hard type of environment to be in."

Morris spent about $30,000 to open the 1,700-square-foot store. She also likes the store's spot because it gets plenty of drive-by and foot traffic, thanks to the location next to Bel Air Bakery.

Downtown Bel Air has also been undergoing significant revitalization with new businesses moving in and events that promote downtown businesses. These include a Girls Night Out the third Thursday of every month, with extended shopping hours and store promotions. "I've seen so many changes on Main Street. There's a lot going on in downtown Bel Air."

The mother of three started designing jewelry after seeing her sister do the same. After friends and friends of friends started asking her to design pieces for them, Morris' hobby turned into a business that she could do while looking after her three kids at home.

Morris' own signature jewelry piece is a sterling silver chain containing variety of charms and a personalized message.

Source: Susan Morris, Simply Charmed
Writer: Julekha Dash

After seven years in Canton, Crimson & Clover Floral Design Inc. is packing up its bouquets and heading to North Baltimore. The florist will open in an expanded shop at 733 Deepdene Road later in June.

At 1,522 square feet, the new shop is two-thirds bigger than the previous location. The larger space will give owner Amy Epstein the room add more flowers to her stock and hold meetings with brides-to-be or event planners. With about 80 weddings booked each a year, nuptials are a good chunk of Crimson & Clover's business, she says.

Though business from passersby has slowed somewhat due to the down economy, Epstein says she can still rely on the wedding business. "People will always get married and they're going to need flowers for their wedding." Wedding planners, however, might spend $20,000 instead of $50,000 nowadays.

The new space includes a large, walk-in cooler that will allow her to make custom bouquets on the spot.
"We didn't physically have the space for more people and flowers," Epstein says. "I have been turning away brides on weekends."

Epstein, who spent $50,000 on the new location, says she hopes the Roland Park will offer more foot traffic and easy access to area's affluent residents. Another plus is the neighborhoods accessibility. It's easy for  to people in Baltimore City as well as Baltimore County to get there, Epstein says.

"I like the idea of being more central to the city and county," she says. "We do a lot of business in the counties. I do feel that this is more accessible and central to our clients."

The store is in the same shopping center as gourmet grocer Eddie's of Roland Park. It's also close to four schools, three banks, a pharmacy and Starbucks. 


Source: Amy Epstein, Crimson & Clover
Writer: Julekha Dash

Coming to a curb near you: burritos to order. Lesa Bain and Shawn Smith bring their version of the Mexican classic to the hungry lunchtime crowd gratis of their 12-foot truck. The two have been cruisin' through Hampden and neighborhood festivals for the past two weeks.

In the next few months, Bain says she and her husband hope to make their burrito wagon, Curbside Caf�, a full-time venture. Just five bucks a piece, the burritos come filled with ingredients --some traditional and some not so traditional -- including pulled pork, black beans, tofu and veggies.Curbside even sells an Indian-style burrito stuffed with chana masala, or chickpeas with Indian spices.

"We have a variety of burritos. We're not trying to go for a Mexican theme," Bain says.

Why a food wagon? The couple wanted to launch a business and thought a food venture would be perfect since Smith is a good cook, Bain says.

They chose a food wagon instead of a more stationary location because they wanted to start small. Bain got the idea after seeing food delivery trucks in California, Philadelphia and New York. She estimates that the couple have spent about $10,000 to cover start-up costs.

"They're everywhere in other cities, but not too many in Baltimore," She continues. .

One of the biggest challenges to starting the business has been figuring out what will sell well and knowing just how much food they will need for an event. 

A number of food wagons have taking to trolling the streets of Charm City in recent months. Icedgems Baking roves throughout Baltimore County selling cupcakes and other sweet confections. Patrick Russell, owner of Koopers Tavern in Fells Point, started Kooper's Chowhound, a burger wagon, last year.

Bain and Smith will eventually take their truck beyond Hampden's border, but for now, the neighborhood suits them fine. The couple live in the area and know a lot of business owners there. "There's a lot going on in Hampden," Bain says.

There's more happening in Hampden. Read about it here.

Source: Lesa Bain, Curbside Cafe
Writer: Julekha Dash

Kristopher Auer first started racing bikes 23 years ago. Now, he has turned his passion into a business in Hampden. Twenty20 Cycling Co. opened this month at 725 W. 36th Street. Auer and his two business partners, Norman Brach and Johnny May, invested $250,000 to transform a dilapidated garage into a full-service bike retail and repair shop.

Auer, who lives in nearby Remington, likes Hampden's Avenue because of it's always full of activity. "The Avenue has a lot of vibrancy," he says. "The unique shops make it a very Baltimore experience. It's the heart of the city in a certain sense. It's not downtown but not the county."

He also thought it was appropriate to open the shop in a part of town where it's easy to ride bikes. "It's a very bikeable part of town. The more people riding is better for the city. It's better for everyone."

Entry-level bikes run about $300, while a high-end custom bike can cost up to $10,000. "It's kind of like a car or stereo. If it's something you're into, why not ride the best."

Auer met his business partners through a cycling team that he runs. Auer also knew May from working at the Mt. Washington Bike Shop. Brach was a cycling client that Auer was training. "Serendipitously, everything came together."

Some of the costs of opening the 3,000-square-foot store was offset by a biking company called Specialized. The company helped the business owners design and lay out the store.  Twenty20 sells other bike brands as well.

Read about other efforts to green Baltimore here.


Source: Kristopher Auer, Tewenty20 Cycling Co.
Writer: Julekha Dash

Beehive Baltimore, a nine-month old community for freelancers and entrepreneurs, is moving into larger digs at Canton's Emerging Technology Center June 1. At 1,700 square feet, the new spot at 2400 Boston St. is 50 percent larger than the old office. The new space gives the Beehive the capacity to accommodate up to 31 people a day.

"I had my eye on it from the beginning," says Dave Troy, the facility's administrator. But the space only became available mid-April.

Beehive's popularity is part of a larger movement known as coworking, or the idea that independent professionals work better together than alone in their basements. The concept of coworking is gaining popularity in many cities around the world, according to Troy. "So many people who are freelancers are working from home," he says.

Starting a business and working from home can be isolating and makes it difficult for folks to keep up to date on best practices.  It's also tough to hold meetings.  Having a central facility for freelancers and entrepreneurs makes it easier to team up with the right people, Troy says.

Take the Beatles, for instance. The band's magic came from having the right combination of talented musicians in a shared space.  Similarly, the best business ideas get unleashed with you have the right blend of people bouncing ideas off one another, Troy says.

Some freelancers work in a caf�, but in that space people don't get to interact. "In this environment, you have the opportunity to get to know each other over time," Troy says. "In a caf�, everyone is trying ot to leave each other alone."

A Beehive membership runs $175 a month to work three days per week and $275 per month for daily access. Members can also purchase a day pass for $25.

Beehive Baltimore holds about 75 people in its membership database and gets about eight to 10 freelancers each day.  The current space allows for a maximum of 15 people a day.

Readmore from our coverage of Canton!

Source: Dave Troy, Beehive Baltimore
Writer: Julekha Dash

Baltimore might be 958 miles from Miami, but that hasn't stopped a small business owner from bringing some South Beach flair to downtown. South Beach Sandwicherie opened last month in the 222 E. Saratoga Street apartment complex .

Co-owner Adam Gardner says he took the concept from a friend who owns a sandwich shop in Miami, where Gardner lived for six years.

In the sun-soaked, palm-tree lined city, sandwich shops offer a salad on a sandwich, a tasty trend Gardner has duplicated at his Baltimore store. South Beach Sandwicherie offers a host of salad toppings for every sandwich: lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers, olives, onions and cornichons, just to name a few.

Sandwiches are topped with a French vinaigrette dressing whose ingredients Gardner holds close to the vest. "I learned [the recipe] from a French guy but I added my own twist to it," he says.  "It's all about the secret sauce and the bread."

South Beach Sandwicherie offers a choice of croissant, baguette or wheat bread. Sandwiches cost between $6.50 and $8.95, for a prosciutto and mozzarella � the store's specialty. The shop also sells smoothies.

Gardner likes the location because he can count on steady daytime traffic from workers at Mercy Medical Center, the courthouses, government and office buildings. South Beach Sandwicherie has also carved a niche as a late-night munchie spot for the club crowd and late-night workers. Open until 2 a.m. Thursdays, and 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday, the store gets business from folks going to Sonar and the bars at Power Plant Live, as well as hospital workers on the late shift.

Gardner and his two partners Keith Showstack and Lydell Owens invested $50,000  to open the 800 square foot store. "It's taken off a lot better than I expected," Gardner says.

The shop features paintings on the wall depicting Miami's Art Deco buildings that fill South Beach. Baltimore graffiti artist Billy Mode painted the artworks.

We've got more about what's happening in Downtown.

Source: Adam Gardner, South Beach Sandwicherie
Writer: Julekha Dash

You might not think of Beverly Hills and Baltimore in the same breath. But Jeanna Crawford wants to bring a bit of the ritzy and glamorous Los Angeles neighborhood to Charm City with her new tanning salon that opened last month at 906 S. Charles Street. "I'm just really excited to bring this to Baltimore," Crawford says.


Developed in Beverly Hills, the concept behind the 1,400 square-foot Glow to Go offers those who prefer a just-back-from-the-beach glow a sunless tan � a healthier option than baking in the sun or under the ultraviolet rays of traditional tanning salons.Crawford uses an airbrush gun to give on a tan infused with natural products, including antioxidants and botanicals. 

"You can tan in five minutes or less and go as light or as dark as you want to go," Crawford says. "It looks so natural."
Crawford says she invested $150,000 to open the business, much of which went toward buying the equipment and decorating the salon. 


In addition to tanning services, Glow to Go offers anti-aging and hydration treatments. A tanning session runs $55 and $20 for a touch up session.  It also sells package treatment: $313 for six sessions and $522 for 10 sessions. The tans last 7 to 14 days.

A former sun worshipper, Crawford got into the business as she was looking for a way to get bronze without sitting in the sun.
"I'm from the South and have been a suntanner all my life, "Crawford says. "I'm getting older and I didn't want to sit in the sun."

The former stay-at-home mom was also looking for something to do that she is passionate about, yet still make time for her kids.

She chose Federal Hill because friends who own Federal Hill Fitness recommended the area saying it gets a lot of foot traffic. Crawford also thought the area attracted the kind of folks who want a healthy alternative to traditional tanning salons.

Find out more about what's happening in Federal Hill.

Source: Jeanna Crawford, Glow to Go
Writer: Julekha Dash

A public relations firm whose clients include Ripken Baseball and Cal Ripken, Jr., hopes to hit a home run in its new office in Columbia.

The 10-person firm outgrew its space in Marriottsville and moved this month to a 3,200-square-foot office at the Columbia Corporate Park at 8825 Standford Blvd.

Maroon PR President John Maroon says he liked the location because there are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby to grab lunch or a drink after work. These include the Greene Turtle and Nottingham's Tavern.

The location is also more convenient for the staff to reach from Baltimore compared with Marriottsville, Maroon says. The Columbia office is about two-thirds bigger than the former space.
"The work space was getting cramped," Maroon says.

The four-year-old company is spending about $20,000 on the move and about $1,000 more each month on rent, he says.

Though a lot of marketing and PR firms have been struggling during the recession, Maroon PR says it has seen steady growth from existing clients and new nonprofit clients. The latter includes the American Cancer Society's South Atlantic division and Reading is Fundamental, a children's literacy program in Washington, D.C.

Maroon PR is looking to hire a few folks as well this year in the areas of public relations, business development and possibly a graphic designer.

Other Maroon PR clients include Sullivan's Steakhouse, the Babe Ruth Museum, Geier Financial Group and Pathfinders for Autism.

Source: John Maroon, Maroon PR
Writer: Julekha Dash

When Daniel Cherky and Errez Segman bought the building in the 1100 block of West Baltimore Street, the idea was to renovate it and sell it. When the economy took a nose a dive, however, Cherky says their plans changed and Back Alley Jazz was born.

"I figured that I would do something to help the neighborhood. We want to make [this part of] Baltimore live again and bring a little bit of the feel of New Orleans to the city," he explains.

Familiar with Baltimore's illustrious musical history, Cherky and Segman decided to do something to help restore the city's reputation as a major player in the world of jazz.

"I said let's create something like back in the '20s because Baltimore used to be a real swinging place," Cherky says.

Just a few blocks west of University of Maryland's Biopark, Cherky says the neighborhood needs some help. "I have done a lot of the work on the building myself and in the beginning I would put my tools down [and go do something in another part of the building]. Five minutes later, the tools would be gone and ten minutes after that someone would be there selling me back my own tools," he laughingly recalls.

So far, the pair have spent more than $400,000 rehabbing the building, painting the facade, adding a rooftop deck and creating three floors were jazz lovers will enjoy national, regional and local jazz artists as well as amateur acts.

With the backing of the the city, which changed the name of the alley next to the building to Back Alley Jazz, Cherky says the upscale club will take visitors back to the days when speakeasys were the place to be. The clubs entrance will be located at the back of the building that is adjacent to Hollins Street Market. Valets will park guests' cars while security guards will ensure that both remain safe.

The staff will be dressed in 1920's era-style clothing. In addition to a variety of cocktails, the club will offer a light menu of New Orleans-style cuisine that will also include an homage to its Maryland location with some local favorites.

Back Alley Jazz will open around the end of April or beginning of May. The hope, says Segman is that the club will attract guests from Virginia, DC and the Greater Baltimore area. According to Cherky, eventually, the club will host a variety of street festivals on its parking lot.

Sources: Daniel Cherky and Errez Segman, Back Alley Jazz
Writer: Walaika Haskins