(BALTIMORE, MD) - On Thursday, April 2nd, the Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development joined Baltimore Main Streets to support the grand opening of Sam's Cheesesteak. Located on 3320 Belair Rd, Sam's Cheesesteak joins a list of other small businesses on the Belair-Edison shopping corridor looking to make their mark in the neighborhood. The grand opening took place from 11a to 12p in front of the store where Baltimore Main Street and Belair-Edison Neighborhoods Inc. representatives gave remarks.
"This is what we need in terms of economic community development. I feel it's imperative to support local businesses to give them the tools to succeed, and also the publicity and awareness," said Maurice Shines, Belair-Edison Main Street Manager. "This is how we create jobs, and when you create jobs, the business succeeds [and] you generate tax revenues. Tax revenues means our communities and our city can grow and learn - we can provide adequate services to our people."
Denitra Braham (Executive Director at Belair-Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. [BENI]) was glad to show up and support the grand opening. "I was really excited about today's event. Sam's Cheesesteak being added to the corridor is definitely going to bring a different element," said Braham. She continued her excitement for the diversity of Belair-Edison and that her and BENI are "looking forward to assisting the owners of Sam's Cheesesteak in any way that we can, having them be a part of the Belair-Edison Main Street family, and just looking forward to how we can continue the partnership and support them as they grow their business."
Jesmin Akter (co-owner of Sam's Cheesesteak) welcomes BENI's support along with the rest of the neighborhood. "Today's grand opening means a lot," said Akter, as she motioned attendees inside to try the free samples of cheesesteaks, wings, and smashburgers her team prepared for the event. "We hope that everybody comes in and tries… please let us know any feedback - negative or positive - like if you don't like it, (if you feel anything, like) just let us know - we will work on that."
Eean Logan, (Community Development Liaison for Baltimore Main Streets) hopes that Sam's Cheesesteak is here to stay. "It's been awesome supporting Belair-Edison Main Street, specifically Sam's Cheesesteak," said Logan, as he prepared to pick up some of the samples. "They've been a staple in the Belair-Edison neighborhood, so it's great to actually have them on the main street. They've got some good cheesesteaks, can't wait to eat my samples! Make sure ya'll come out and join us, and support."
For more information on Sam's Cheesesteaks, follow them on Instagram at @samscheesesteak or visit their website https://www.cheesesteakbysam.com/.
Stay up to date with upcoming grand openings in other main street neighborhoods by following Baltimore Main Streets on Instagram at @baltimoremainstreets.