What's Happening in Rosedale, MD…

The owners of Cilantro, a successful eatery in Owings Mills, are opening a second space in downtown Baltimore. They hope the new spot will become their flagship location.

Sam Hilel and Eli Hershko immigrated almost 10 years ago, and opened their restaurant in Owings Mills. The menu features traditional Middle Eastern items such as shawarma, lamb, pitas, and falafel, which will be available at the new location as well. The duo picked the new spot, which is on Light Street, because of the ongoing redevelopment of the city's downtown.

In addition, people were coming from all over the area to eat at the Owings Mills shop, which showed them they had loyal clients, and gave them the impetus to plan a second store. The new space comprises approximately 1,400 square feet, whereas the Owings Mills restaurant has 1,700 square feet of space. According to Hershko, there will be room for about 45 diners to be seated, but he believes there will be a lot of take-out orders, particularly from employees of nearby businesses.

Hilel and Hershko plan to concentrate on the downtown store for about six months, but then hope to expand to additional locations, including one in the Washington, D.C., area. The new Baltimore location should be open May 8.

Companies like this can benefit if owners work with flyer printing companies to create handouts announcing the opening, for distribution near the location.