Recent Articles from Rachel Bernstein
Grand Prix was boom or bust for eateries
City restaurateurs say the Baltimore Grand Prix brought record-breaking business to eateries within walking distance of the race course, but operators of establishments at greater distances say their sales suffered significantly. Baltimore officials expected the three-day race festival during Labor Day weekend to bring in more than 100,000 visitors and millions of dollars to restaurants […]
Baltimore Grand Prix has fans excited, despite slow start
The Baltimore Grand Prix drew crowds Friday morning, even if the tracks hadn’t drawn the cars on time. Practices for the city’s inaugural Grand Prix were to have begun at 8 a.m., but they were delayed for more than four hours as crews worked on the track and fencing surrounding the course. The three-day racing […]
A final speed bump for Grand Prix
Here at last. After 18 months of planning, racing begins Friday for what organizers hope to be the first of many Baltimore Grand Prix weekends. City officials are expecting at least 100,000 visitors to watch cars race along a 2.1-mile course over downtown streets. But things did not go smoothly for commuters Thursday morning. Road […]
City businesses counting on Grand Prix boost
Baltimore’s hotels and restaurants are looking forward to sold-out tourism business from the Baltimore Grand Prix that starts Friday, even if hotels aren’t fully booked yet. “I think once we get past Wednesday, the hotels will be filling up and things will take care of themselves,” said Judi DiGioia, sales and marketing manager for Morton’s […]
USPS sticks with mail delivery warning
The U.S. Postal Service stands by its announcement Monday that delivery may be affected in downtown Baltimore neighborhoods and areas this weekend because of the Baltimore Grand Prix. The USPS had said that mail pickup and delivery for businesses and residents might be curtailed because of numerous street closings for the race. But City Councilman […]
City official disputes Post Office’s release on reduced service
The U.S. Postal Service said Monday that pickup and delivery of mail for business and residents near the Baltimore Grand Prix course would be curtailed, but at least one city official said he was “stunned” by the announcement. Grand Prix racing begins Friday on a 2.1-mile loop through downtown Baltimore. On Monday, the Baltimore post […]
Frederick finally gets its first official visitor from Wyoming for 2011
Frederick finally has its first official visitor from Wyoming for 2011. Since the Tourism Council of Frederick County opened its new Frederick Visitor Center in April, more than 8,500 tourists have passed through its doors. And in those four months, the visitors came from all over the U.S. — except for Wyoming. Gillette, Wyo., resident […]
Mayor, police chief, businesses all need Grand Prix to succeed
When Jay G. Davidson wakes up on Labor Day Monday, the biggest test he’s ever prepared for will be over. And Davidson said he feels confident that he — and the rest of Baltimore Racing Development LLC — have done the best they can to create a successful inaugural year of the Baltimore Grand Prix. […]
Getaways: The Final Frontier
Ladies and gentlemen, this is my final Getaways post. Yes, that’s right. I’m taking a job in D.C. and leaving Baltimore. I decided to ignore that silly WaPo article about Baltimore being better than the District. But hopefully “Getaways” itself won’t be going away. And so it seems that the Hurricane Irene found it fitting […]
Investors seek to freeze Grand Prix account
Two of the Baltimore Grand Prix’s original investors Wednesday requested temporary restraining orders and orders for injunctive relief, seeking a total of $1.2 million that they say are owed to them. The Baltimore City Circuit Court filings, which seek to freeze Baltimore Racing Development LLC’s advanced ticket sales escrow account, states that the account is […]
‘Fashion’s Night Out’ in Baltimore
When you think of Baltimore, you don’t necessarily think “fashion destination” along the lines of New York, Paris, Milan, etc. But apparently someone wants to try to change that. On Sept. 8, a “Fashion’s Night Out” celebration of sorts will be held in Baltimore, along with 100 other cities in 17 countries participating in the […]
Simulcasting to return to Rosecroft Raceway on Thursday
After being closed for more than a year, Rosecroft Raceway in Oxon Hill will reopen for simulcasting on Thursday. The harness racing facility will start showing races from tracks across the country starting at 12:30 p.m., while live harness racing will resume Oct. 21, according to Penn National Gaming Inc. A subsidiary of the Wyomissing, […]