In less than a month, Baltimore Orioles' fans will hear the crack of the bat at Camden Yards.
In about seven months, more than 100,000 people are expected to visit Charm City for the Baltimore Grand Prix Race. And restaurant owners Justin Dvorkin and Donald Kelly hope their burritos and margaritas will feed and quench the thirst of these sports' enthusiasts � and put some change in their pocket.
The business partners will open Charm City Cantina at 200 W. Pratt St. April 4, just in time for Opening Day. The 220-seat restaurant will be located next door to their other venture, the Pratt Street Ale House.
Since taking over the
Pratt Street Ale House two years ago, the owners have gotten steady traffic from sports fans, convention attendees, concert goers at First Mariner Arena, and tourists, Kelly says. When the opportunity came up to take over the restaurant next door, they felt they had to take it.
The pair will spend as much as $400,000 to open the 6,800-square-foot restaurant. Some of that money will be spent to hire a designer to create a look that is a cross between an American pub and a Mexican eatery.
With no other full-service Mexican restaurants downtown, Kelly and Dvorkin say they hope the investment pays off.
But opening a second establishment will be challenging as the price of food and other commodities climb higher, Kelly says.
Writer: Julekha Dash
Sources: Justin Dvorkin and Donald Kelly