Restaurateurs David Napierskie and Sandy Stallings were welcomed with open arms Tuesday, July 30 as the Calvert County Commissioners helped celebrate the opening of The Striped Rock at Solomons.
The restaurant—located in the building which previously housed Catamaran’s—opened for business June 26.
“It’s a great location,” said Commissioners’ President Pat Nutter [R], who added that he and his four colleagues are frequent visitors to Calvert’s southernmost town. “We’re all close-knit in this county.”
“Everybody’s been phenomenal,” said Napierskie, who has had a lengthy career in the hospitality business.
Stallings is The Striped Rock’s executive chef. She had owned and operated a restaurant in Baltimore prior to making the move to Calvert.
The principals of Tidewater, the company that owns the Solomons property, were impressed with the business plan Napierskie and Stallings presented to them and Stallings cinched the deal when she prepared one of her signature meals for them.
The Striped Rock’s menu is versatile and patrons are served entrees with “all fresh” ingredients. “She’s buying from all the local vendors,” said Napierskie.
While Napierskie admitted there was some initial concern about opening a restaurant in a location previously occupied by a business with a notorious reputation, he added members of the community, especially other business owners have been extremely supportive.
“We have not had one concern or problem,” Napierskie said. “The county has worked with us.”
One local business that has forged a strong alliance with the new restaurant is Carmen’s Gallery. Artist Carmen Nance Gambrill has several of her works on display at The Striped Rock.
Currently, patrons are being served inside on the building’s first floor and outdoors. Napierskie said work is still continuing on the second floor. A use and occupancy permit will need to be obtained before patrons are allowed to dine upstairs.
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