Local Restaurants Hopeful That New Year Brings Diners, Profits

Despite the recession, local restaurant and catering business owners are cautiously optimistic about the new year, and hopeful that lower menu prices, specialty items and new products will coax local diners and corporate establishments back to their restaurants.

 Much of their optimism is attributed to the 2005 BRAC decision which closed and relocated several military bases bringing expansion and jobs to Aberdeen and the surrounding area. The move will bring about 30,000 military and civilian jobs to Maryland by September, according to the Maryland BRAC website.

 Owners believe diners want fresh local products and healthier menus along with better prices. And many local restaurants are giving them what they want.

Charles Connolly, a partner in Carsins' Steak & Seafood Grill a moderately-priced steak and seafood restaurant on Beard's Hill Road scheduled to open in early March, is among the most optimistic.

With menu prices ranging from $15 - $27, Connolly believes his establishment will attract the 35-60 year old diner looking for something “a little bit more than the Greene Turtle or Texas Roadhouse.” 

 “We’re going to offer a good product," Connolly said. "Good beef, fresh seafood daily. Large lounge for sports enthusiasts.”

The renovated building, located at the site of the former Japan House Restaurant, will feature its lounge and music. Its owners boast of Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and granite in the bathroom. There will also be two conference rooms for meetings and parties.

Connolly expects his business to offer what BRAC transplants want.

 “We believe we’ve found a niche and are going to make our mark,” Connolly said.

Lou Ward, owner of the Bayou Restaurant in nearby Havre de Grace on Pulaski Highway, said even though the recession reduced sales at his establishment by about 2 percent last year he continues to offer customers lower priced entrees and specials he hopes will keep them coming back.

"The biggest thing is that expenses and cost of operating continues to increase while our sales have gone down,” explained Ward. “We’re hoping in the new year that things will look up.”

In the meantime, his renovation plans have been put on hold, Ward said.

Katherine Dermott, a partner and director of Sales and Marketing at The Beachtree Restaurant and Catering on south Stepney Road, said her company expects to do well in the new year because despite the economy, people are still getting married and celebrating special events. Additionally, local businesses remain in need of a “nice place” to hold their corporate functions and The Beachtree serves that need, she said.

“(The Beachtree) has been influenced by the economy but we have taken steps to offset that,” said Dermott.

Allthough Dermott declined to say what those steps were she characterized them as "successful" and said that the Beachtree has experienced growth, particularly since its split two years ago from the golf course with the same name.

Melvin Thompson, senior vice president of the Restaurant Association of Maryland for the past nine years, said fine dining establishments like the Bayou were hit hardest by the economy because of their higher prices. Many of the casual food establishments and fast food maintained or increase their sales as customers traded down to lower prices.

The association helps its 2,000 members succeed by promoting, protecting and improving the industry, Thompson said. About 40 of those members are from the Harford County area.

 Like Ward and Dermott, Thompson said he remains hopeful that things will turn around.

“A lot of these restaurants have implemented special pricing and discounts, even three-course fixed price menus,” Thompson said. “I believe this will bring customers back.”