By Erica Hoffman
EH: Hi Pat, just looking around, it’s clear you believe in Atlantic City. Can you tell me what’s happening here today?
PF: What a great day in Atlantic City! We’re getting our shipping containers in, this has been the dream we’ve been talking about for two years, and here they come!
EH: What are you planning on doing with all these shipping containers?
PF: It’s going to be great! We’re building a shipping container courtyard. We will have a bar, so your bartenders will be inside, the windows will flip up, and the bar flips down so you’ll be able to sit and relax. The next set of containers that are coming in are for the Neapolitan pizza we will be serving. And we will, of course, have a shipping container restroom.
EH: This looks like it’s going to be pretty awesome. What else are you planning?
PF: A Summer stage for local bands. I’m hoping to get some reggae going by September and maybe a jazz brunch on Sundays. We want to have an indoor and an outdoor stage to provide a venue for original acts. We’re planning on giving young local talent a break out here! Forget your typical AC cover bands. We’re all about bringing in fresh young talent!
EH: Tell me about this bridge you’re building.
PF: Right now, we’re working on the footings for the bridge container. The bridge is going to fly across the sky and become like a balcony overlooking the stage.
EH: You’re putting your all into Atlantic City, what’s the main goal?
PF: This is all part of the plan to bring tourism back to Atlantic City. New York Avenue, Saint James Place, and Tennessee Avenue are where you’re going to want to go. As of now, there is no identifiable downtown, so we’re going to change that by laser focusing on The Orange Loop, turning it into AC’s “Downtown.”
EH: Where do you see this area in two years?
PF: Two years from now, this entire block is going be under construction. This block is where people will be investing. We’re bringing the city back, and we’re bringing it back strong. Atlantic City is an outdoor playground. I don’t know who had the idea of building indoor cities and telling people, “don’t go outside. It’s not safe” hey, it’s safe outside! It’s beautiful. We’ve got sunshine, the ocean, and fresh air. Just you watch what happens!
EH: Are you still considering doing a shipping container hotel?
PF: Absolutely! We are working on a four-phase plan. The first phase was the parking lot. The second phase is this Container Court. The third phase is going to be new construction on Saint James Place, and the last and final step is going to be the hotel. We’re going to stack those containers up four high, put an elevator in, and little balconies so you’ll be able to take in downtown and even watch the bands from your hotel room.
EH: That sounds awesome. And what do you have planned next?
PR: The Cardinal Bistro, they are teaming up with a restaurant from Somers Point.
We’re putting together a concentration of venues in this area. We are also trying to embrace the Boardwalk into the Orange Loop with our restaurant, Loteria. The goal is to have a place to park your car and be able to bounce around to a bunch of different spots. You can hit the Anchor Rock Club, The Irish Pub, Loteria, Bourre, and The Container Court. Just work your way around the loop. That’s the formula, that’s how we’ll bring success.
EH: Pat, I have to thank you for believing in my hometown. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Erica Hoffman was born in Atlantic City and is proud to be writing for Shore Local. She lives in South Jersey and enjoys finding and sharing the lighter side of life.
