Chipotle Holds Training Lunch; Restaurant Opens Today

Chipotle held its training lunch Monday, the day before its grand opening.

About 250 invitations were sent out for the event, during which attendees got a free lunch and a taste of the much-anticipated store opening.

"My husband actually loves Chipotle," said Aprile Crawford of Pikesville. Crawford works in Columbia, and often shuttles Chipotle food home from the restaurant there. But those days are over now that the Pikesville store opens tomorrow. "This is going to be a lifesaver," she said.

Barry Gahagan, a marketer from Chipotle, manned the door, greeting visitors and accepting invitations to the event, which provides training for the crew—a "dress rehearsal" before the restaurant opens to the general public.

"We sent out invitations for people who work around here," he said.

Beth Tfiloh students said students at their school will flock to the new restaurant.

"I've always loved Chipotle," said Dean Kaplan. "It seems to be running pretty well," he said of the training lunch.

Harrison Pierce frequents Chipotle near Owings Mills, and said he's glad there's a store in Pikesville. "Finally, we get one near us," he said.

"We're happy this is here," said Pierce. "Our high school is going to go crazy about this."

The restaurant opens Tuesday at 11 a.m. It will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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