How slow was the business 28 years ago.  So slow the eventual owner of Poor Boys slept in a tent.  Of course soon we went into a pop up trailer.  Today Mike Tyson, graduate of Loch Raven High and owner of Poor Boys, actually sleeps in a house.  But he recalls those days fondly.  To him, during those young years, it was an adventure.  An adventure that today has turned into two locations. 
     Mike tells me his current German Hill Road location in Dundalk was a field of weeds.  So here he comes in a pick-up, does a little cleaning and before you know it he's selling vegetables.  His initial investment was $300.00 and he took in $500.00 after one day.  To a young man back in those days that was quite a profit.  He knew he had found his work.  After a few years of hard work an actual building appeared at 2 German Hill Road in 1990. 
     He sells lots of merchandise like candles, country crafts, wood stoves and accessories and garden supplies in the spring.  But he might be proudest of the vast array of Ravens items, particularly those popular purple flamingoes.  And yes there's a story that goes along with those flamingoes.  Years ago he bought about 30 which never sold.  So he decided to roam the streets of Dundalk at night and leave one at every house that was displaying a Ravens flag.  His wife came up with the brilliant idea of putting the store name on them.  Before you knew it, those purple flamingoes were big hits.   So much so that, believe it or not, he bought 38,000 and now ships them across country.   So what started as a joke became his biggest seller. 
     At the end of our discussion he told me buying time on WCBM was one of the best decisions he made.  We are happy to have him as one of our clients.  Poor Boys is open 7 days.  Mike can be reached at 410-288-1602.  By the way, that second location is at 7721 Harford Road in Parkville.    

TRAVEL
                                                                                                                                 

FOR THIS TRAVEL FEATURE I DECIDED TO STAY LOCAL.  I RECENTLY SPENT A LITTLE TIME AT THE HOTEL MONACO IN DOWNTOWN BALTIMORE, LOCATED AT THE BUSY INTERSECTION OF CHARLES AND BALTIMORE.  THE HOTEL COMPLETELY RENOVATED AND UPDATED THE OLD HEADQUARTERS OF THE B & O RAILROAD BUILDING WHICH OPENED THERE IN 1906.  FORTUNATELY THEY LEFT A FEW THINGS THE WAY THEY FOUND THEM, LIKE THE STATELY LOBBY.  IT HAS MARBLE FLOORS AND A DRAMATIC STAIRCASE ALONG WITH TIFFANY STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. 

     THE MONACO OPENED TO MUCH FANFARE IN THE SUMMER OF 2009.   THIS BEAUX-ARTS STYLE HOTEL HAS 202 ROOMS AND SUITES. THE ROOMS FEATURE SUBTLE RAILROADING FEATURES, A NICE TOUCH CONSIDERING THE HISTORY.  I DON'T HAVE THAT SHARP OF AN EYE REGARDING DECOR BUT THE PRESS MATERIAL TELLS ME THE BEDSIDE TABLES RESEMBLE STEAMER TRUNKS AND THE DRAWER KNOBS HAVE A SCREEN PRINT OF THE B & O RAILROAD MAP. 

     STANDARD DELUXE GUEST ROOMS GO FROM $179 TO $399.  AND HERE'S A FUN FACT, THE HOTEL IS PET FRIENDLY.  SO ROVER CAN COME ALONG ON YOUR WEEKEND GETAWAY.  I SEEM TO RECALL THERE IS ONE FLOOR SET ASIDE FOR PETS.  EVERY MORNING COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE AND TEA SERVICE IS AVAILABLE IN THE ORNATE LOBBY AND EVERY EVENING COMPLIMENTARY WINE.

     OTHER AMENITIES INCLUDE HIGH SPEED WIRED AND WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS IN THE ROOMS, THE MORNING PAPER, LAUNDRY AND VALET SERVICE, A FULLY STOCKED HONOR BAR, 24 HOUR ROOM SERVICE AND IN MANY ROOMS A GOLDFISH TO KEEP YOU COMPANY.  DON'T LAUGH, I FOUND MYSELF TALKING TO MINE.  IF YOU ARE IN SEARCH OF MEETING SPACE, THERE IS OVER 6,000 SQUARE FEET FOR YOUR USE. 

     THE HOTEL MONACO BALTIMORE IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY KIMPTON HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, BASED IN CALIFORNIA. 

IT WAS FOUNDED BY BILL KIMPTON IN 1981.  CURRENTLY THE COMPANY OPERATES 53 HOTELS AND 53 RESTAURANTS IN 23 CITIES.

SPEAKING OF RESTAURANTS, BEFORE I END, I WANT TO MENTION THE HOTEL IS ADJACENT TO THE VERY GOOD B & O BRASSERIE.  IT WAS NAMED BY BALTIMORE MAGAZINE AS ONE OF THE CITIES BEST RESTAURANTS. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO MONACO-BALTIMORE.COM OR CALL 443-692-6170.