Hospitality & Tourism in Caroline County
Hospitality & tourism
belong in Caroline County.
Friendly people, small-town charm, and a relaxing pace make Caroline County an inviting destination.
Top 3 Reasons
you belong here
If you’re looking for a friendly and welcoming community, you’ve found it! Locals embrace new businesses, and visitors are made to feel right at home.
Our location at the center of Delmarva makes Caroline County a great hub for visitors exploring the region. Beaches, charming towns, and state parks are all within easy reach.
Caroline County is home to Shore Gourmet and the Chesapeake Culinary Center, which are developing a strong hospitality workforce for local businesses.
workforce & resources
Small businesses, especially those in the hospitality industry, are so important to Caroline County’s culture and rural character. We offer services for small businesses, including the Caroline County Small Business Loan Program. The loan program has been used by many restaurants and agritourism businesses for startup and expansion. We can also help small businesses connect with other resources like the Denton Artsway A&E District and USDA Value-Added Producer Grants.
Tourism & hospitality are important industries throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore, which has resulted in a large and experienced workforce. Caroline County is home to Shore Gourmet and the Chesapeake Culinary Center, which help train high school students and adults for hospitality careers. Chesapeake College also offers hotel & restaurant degree programs.
Hospitality Industry
ambassadors
We think Caroline County is a great place to launch a hospitality business, but of course we’re a little biased. We invite you to contact one of our industry ambassadors for a candid conversation. They’ll be happy to share their first-hand experiences with managing a hospitality business in Caroline County.
Rob Griffith & Steve Konopelski
Owners
Turnbridge Point Bed & Breakfast | Email Rob
Turnbridge Point opened its doors in 2015 and quickly became a top destination in the region. In addition to the B&B, Turnbridge operates a custom bakery and produces couture wedding cakes.
David Murray
Chef & Manager
Chesapeake Culinary Center | Email David
Chesapeake Culinary Center operates one of the region’s leading catering businesses, which serves as a training program for aspiring chefs, servers, and managers.
Hospitality & Tourism
success stories
When Chef Steve Konopelski and Rob Griffith were looking for the right place to launch a new bed & breakfast, they considered communities throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland. They ultimately found the perfect property in Denton. Following renovations and the installation of a commercial kitchen, Turnbridge Point opened its doors in May 2015.
Rob and Steve liked that the property was within walking distance to restaurants and shops. They were also encouraged that the Denton Artsway A&E District had recently expanded. Finally, they were impressed with how welcoming and supportive the local community was. It was clear that Caroline County was excited about their business and was eager to help them succeed.
Not long after opening, Chef Steve had the opportunity to appear on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. Steve made it all the way to the final round, which helped shine a national spotlight on Turnbridge Point. Rob and Steve leveraged this opportunity to expand Turnbridge’s services to include a custom bakery with online ordering, couture wedding cakes, catering, and brunches and other special events.
The couple continues to find new ways to delight locals and visitors alike. If you’d like to know more about their story, we invite you to contact Rob, who serves as one of our industry ambassadors. He’ll be happy to share his experience launching a hospitality business in Caroline County.
Market Street Pubic House is a restaurant and pub in the heart of downtown Denton. The Pub has become an essential part of the town’s character with regular events like trivia night and sports broadcasts. It’s the kind of place you can visit on any given night and run into friends and neighbors.
When proprietors Brian and Michele Tyler first opened The Pub, Caroline Economic Development helped them apply for funding through the Caroline County Small Business Loan Program. This revolving loan fund helps Caroline businesses close the gap in their funding needs after they have already arranged traditional financing. These loans are typically used by businesses for equipment purchases, inventory purchases, and/or working capital.
As The Pub has grown, they’ve added their own microbrews to their beer menu. They’ve also acquired the adjacent building and are in the final stages of renovation. Once construction is complete, The Pub will double its footprint. This will allow The Pub to host private events and feature local bands. Since part of the new space will serve as a music venue, The Pub will be eligible for some of the incentives offered through the Denton Artsway A&E District. We’re excited to see this local success continue to grow!