Richlin Ballroom Closes Its Doors In Edgewood, Surprising Clients

EDGEWOOD, MD ? After 34 years of hosting weddings, parties, dance lessons and other special events, the Richlin Ballroom has closed its doors.

According to owner Steven Vitali, the event center closed after being unable to bounce back from the financial damage caused by the global pandemic. Also known as Richlin Catering and Event Center, the building is located at the Ramada by Wyndham Edgewood Hotel and Conference Center at 1700 Van Bibber Rd.

?Issues arose with debt from COVID frankly,? Vitali told WMAR. ?Our industry was hit hard. We were closed for eight months plus and ultimately, we?ve just not been able to rebound from that.?

In fact, the recorded greeting on the ballroom's voicemail says, "After 34 years of service we found it necessary to close our doors."

The sudden closure has left people in the lurch who have events coming up there, including weddings and a celebration of life. Vitali said he hoped that others in the area would be able to step up and help out his clients who are now in a pinch. Those with events now affected by the ballroom and catering business's closure should email info@richlincatering.com.

?They have a list of all of our clients that are scheduled and any monies that have been paid in deposits,? Vitali told WMAR, ?and we?re working to do our best to evaluate that and then to refund what we?re able to refund going forth.?

Erik Garcia's daughter was to be married in October at the ballroom. He told WMAR that she's very upset and now they're hunting for a new place.

"We have to find something else," he said. "I want to cry, too."

Lamar Live Entertainment posted on its Facebook page that it is in negotiations with the ballroom's owners to see how they can help and possibly reopen the event center themselves but provided no other details.

Other businesses in the area have posted on their Facebook pages that they'd be glad to help out if they have an opening that coincides with others' events. Former employees and business partners expressed their gratitude for their time spent with Richlin Ballroom, too.

"As a DJ who has performed at numerous events there, it's saddening to witness the closure of such an establishment. Thank you for the memories," wrote DJ Lightning on Facebook.