The Annapolis dining scene is witnessing a significant partnership as Atlas Restaurant Group joins forces with the locally esteemed Boatyard Bar & Grill, taking on majority ownership in the establishment. Founded by Dick Franyo in 2001, Boatyard has been a beloved component of the Annapolis landscape, serving up a slice of Chesapeake Bay culture along its bustling Restaurant Row. In a recent revelation, according to CBS News Baltimore, Franyo, now in his 80s, expressed his intention to preserve the legacy of the Boatyard for a time when he might step back from active involvement.
Franyo's partnership with Atlas Restaurant Group is not merely a business transaction, it is a step to ensure that the essence of the Boatyard remains intact; the social media post emphasized that Franyo was particular about the continuity of the restaurant's core values, which includes reinvestment in its staff and dedication to community philanthropy the social media post emphasized that Franyo was particular about the continuity of the restaurant's core values, which includes reinvestment in its staff and dedication to community philanthropy. The Atlas Restaurant Group is slated to assume majority partnership by mid-February, promising to keep the Boatyard's spirit alive, as per the announcement via CBS News Baltimore.
Atlas Restaurant Group's CEO, Alex Smith, outlines the strategic aim behind the acquisition; Atlas is intent on supporting the current Boatyard team and bolstering the restaurant's operational capacity for growth and Smith insists that "We're not here to change the Boatyard, we're here to help it flourish for years to come," and this acquisition is but part of Atlas's broader expansion within Annapolis, following their ventures with The Choptank at City Dock, and their impending openings of Marmo, an Italian chophouse, and Armada, a tequila bar and cantina, in what was formerly Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. Later in the month, they are set to open The Admiral’s Cup at the Stevens Hardware building, according to Eye on Annapolis. For longtime patrons of the Boatyard, Smith's promise may serve as a reassuring handover, pledging high regard for the joint's ambiance and legacy while securing its future sustainability.
