Alfred L. Davis

The Baltimore Sun

Alfred L. Davis, a pharmacist-turned-restaurateur who co-owned the Pimlico Hotel, died of cardiac arrest July 14 at Sinai Hospital. The longtime resident of Old Court Road was 78.

Mr. Davis was born in Baltimore and raised in Forest Park and Ferndale. He was a 1945 graduate of Glen Burnie High School and earned a pharmacy degree from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 1949.

He had worked as a pharmacist for Whelan's Drugstores in Silver Spring and later Edmondson Village.

His father-in-law, Leon Shavitz, owned the Pimlico Hotel with Nathan Herr. In 1957, Mr. Shavitz suffered a heart attack, and Mr. Davis became a manager of the business, which was in the 5300 block of Park Heights Ave. The Pimlico Hotel had ceased operating as a hotel in the 1950s but continued as a restaurant.

Mr. Davis "loved the restaurant business, but he also liked being a pharmacist and kept his license current," said his wife of 52 years, the former Reta Shavitz.

"He was very committed to the business and was a marvelous partner. I never was concerned with what went on in the back of the house because I knew Al was taking care of it. He was the rock we could lean on," said Lenny Kaplan, his brother-in-law, a retired Baltimore restaurateur.

"He monitored foods costs, wrote everything down and left nothing to chance. He was also very well-liked by the employees," Mr. Kaplan said. "He was the heart and soul of the Pimlico."

"His greatest love was taking care of his employees, and so many of them came to his funeral," said a daughter, Leslie Goldberg of Baltimore. "If someone needed a loan or had a problem, he'd help them."

Mr. Davis was also held in high esteem by the restaurant's patrons.

"Al was a very affable man and only had 4 million close friends. He was always easy to get along with," said Dr. Nathan Schnaper, a Baltimore physician and longtime friend.

"In the Pimlico's kitchen, he made sure that the dishes the waitresses were carrying out were just right. He didn't want any sauce spilled on the edge of the plate. It didn't look right, and to Al, presentation was important. A dish had to look good," Dr. Schnaper said.

He added: "He was always very considerate of his competition. If they were out of something or needed help, he made sure they got it."

"No matter how busy he was at the restaurant, he always had time for us," said another daughter, Cathy Greene of Baltimore.

In 1981, Mr. Davis, who was chief operating officer of the business, told The Sun that the Pimlico Hotel was moving to Baltimore County because of "constant customer demands to relocate."

"It's time," Mr. Davis told The Sun when he announced the restaurant's closing. "We've had a long, glorious, successful run, but nothing lasts forever."

In 1984, the Pimlico Hotel, which had stood since 1875 at Park Heights and Hayward avenues, closed. When the business reopened at the Commercentre building at Reisterstown Road and the Beltway, it was called the Pimlico Restaurant.

Mr. Davis returned to his first love, pharmacy work, and was employed part time at Burke's Pharmacy in Reisterstown and Chestnut Pharmacy in Hampden until his death.

"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for everybody. The day he went into the hospital for the last time, he made sure that his shift was covered," said Willie Hirschfeld, a longtime close friend.

"Al loved the work and he liked being around and helping people. He was such a nice man and was always joking," said Selene Pelc, a pharmacist at the Chestnut Pharmacy. "If we needed him, he'd come into work."

He enjoyed coin collecting.

Mr. Davis was a member of Beth Tfiloh Congregation.

Services were held Sunday.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren.

fred.rasmussen@baltsun.com

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