“When you eat at a locally owned restaurant, 45 cents of every dollar you spend stays in town,” said Zia’s Italian Grill owner, Alex Bubas, as he prepared for the lunchtime rush. “But when you patronize a national chain, only 15 cents stays in the area.”

That’s why Bubas, Pat Scott of Break Time Sports Grill & Pub, and three more Salisbury area restaurateurs formed the Local Owner Restaurant Association (LORA) four years ago to increase public awareness of the many contributions that privately owned eateries make to the community.

“These restaurants, with their individual, defined character, help make Salisbury and Wicomico County a great place to live,” said Bradley Bellacicco, executive director of Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce. “These establishments also provide many jobs to local people. They purchase supplies locally thus supporting other regional businesses. The money spent in LORA member restaurants stays in our local economy and helps support our neighbors.”

“LORA provides a way for locally owned restaurants, like Market Street Inn, to support the community. LORA is a fantastic way for smaller restaurants to support so many important charitable organizations and neighborhood schools,” explains Danielle Murray of Downtown Salisbury’s Market Street Inn.
Denise Cooper, owner of Bistro 54, would have to agree. “LORA member restaurants keep the money local, enabling us to employ more people in the community.” Not only that, but Cooper states, “As an owner of a local restaurant, it’s easier to help with local donations and fundraisers. In return, the restaurant receives the same support from the community.”

LORA members have donated over $100,000 to local causes during the past year. LORA’s 21 restaurants — with diverse cuisines ranging from Namaste’s East Indian fare to Picante Fiesta Mex and Dayton’s good-old-home-cooking — take part in fundraising occasions all year long.

LORA members know that the food and atmosphere of their restaurants must appeal to a diverse clientele, yet reflect the cuisine for which the area is famous. “Eastern Shore Traditions Created with Italian Flair” is Zia’s slogan — bound to appeal to locals and visitors alike.

At Break Time Sports Grill & Pub, Scott serves regional favorites like the Eastern Shore Crab Cake Platter while offering “an all-inclusive dining experience where food merges with entertainment and atmosphere.”

According to an article on casual dining by Sarah Lockyear in February’s issue of Nation’s Restaurant News, “the stronger players in the segment will take share from the smaller chains and independents that may not make it through this down cycle,” indicating that, rather than opening more restaurants, the national chains will try to boost their market share by going after independent eateries. Securities analyst, Jeff Bernstein is quoted as saying that casual dining chains, “currently comprise 20 percent of the overall segment, meaning they have significant growth potential at the expense of independent restaurants.”

Pete Roskovich, of Adam’s, The Place for Ribs in Fruitland, came to Salisbury as an athlete student at SU in 1983 and has stayed here ever since. When he opened Rosko’s Grill in 1990, there were no franchise chain restaurants in town. Like all LORA members, he is deeply involved in the community and sees the organization as a two-way street for giving and receiving. “As a business and as an individual I try to support the local businesses in town — a night out to Vinny’s La Roma, appliances from Shore Appliance Connection, electrical work from McIntyre Electric or carpet from Value Carpet One. I like to support the people who support me.”

With organizations such as the Rotary Club, Salisbury Zoo, the Ward Foundation, and associate LORA members like Holt Paper, Linens of the Week, Pepsi and Wagner & Sons, your local restaurant owners are dedicated to keeping Delmarva a wonderful place to live!