You're an out-of-towner who finds himself stumbling into a bar called Kooper's Tavern in Baltimore's historic Fells Point neighborhood. A few too many pints of Guinness later and now you're just looking for the nearest place to crash with a comfy bed.
Kooper's Owner Patrick Russell and his partner Bill Irvin have the answer for the itinerant, inebriated guest. The pair took over Celie's
Waterfront Bed & Breakfast last month, hoping to expand their hospitality enterprise to include an inn. The partners paid $1.3 million to purchase the 5,800-square-foot building and business from Kevin and Nancy Kupec.
The seven-room B&B also includes two apartments for extended-stay travelers who are, say, in town on business or getting treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. The partners spruced up the apartments and patio with new furniture. Russell says the partners are also counting on wedding business, tourists and weekday business travelers to book rooms.
Operating a B&B also enables Russell to generate more revenue for his
Fells Point restaurants, which include
Kooper's,
Slainte and burger wagon
Kooper's Chowhound. Combined, the businesses employee 140 people.
"I feel like we can generate more business from the restaurants by providing food for the guests," Russell says. He plans to offer a "real" breakfast to guests and serve food from the restaurants at cocktail parties and wedding receptions.
And women who need a place to get their hair done before getting married can turn to Russell as well. His wife and sister-in-law operate K Co. Design Salon and Day Spa in Mount Washington. Russell offers a car service from Celie's to the salon.
Russell and Irvin say they're keeping their eye out for more business to acquire. "We're very interested in expanding to become a very big company," but without spreading himself and his staff too thin.
So far, the inn has surpassed their expectations. It sold out during Memorial Day weekend, and bookings are more than 20 percent ahead of last year. Rooms cost between $149 and $400.
"Running an inn is very much like running your household. You get up and make breakfast but you make it for a few other folks," Russell says.
Wondering what else is happening in Fells Point? Find it
here!
Source: Patrick Russell, Celie's
Writer: Julekha Dash