Ex-ballplayer's bars have can-do attitude

Tim Lorito left the University of Delaware in his junior year to sign a contract in 2001 to play for the Detroit Tigers in spring training in Lakeland, Fla.

But a torn rotator cuff ended his dream of becoming a major leaguer.

What's better than (or maybe just as good as) being a major leaguer? How about owning a sports bar/restaurant. Or two, with a third on the way and plans for franchise nationwide?

About 19 months ago, Lorito, of Holtsville, opened his first Canz- a-Citi Roadhouse, in Westbury. Another opened in Astoria nine months ago. and the third is to open in Patchogue next month. Lorito, 32, plans to open three a year in the metro area in the next four years. Next year he plans to franchise across the country, and he's looking for an outside investor. "It's a little shocking," Lorito said of all that has happened in the last 20 months.

In the early part of the last decade, Lorito started NY Club Info, which marketed restaurants in the New York area. Business crashed in the recession. "My back was against the wall," Lorito said. He met with Suffolk builder Mat Dill, and they begged and borrowed from friends and relatives to open the restaurants, which Dill built. Banks would not lend.

Canz-a-Citi offers 48 different draft beers and about 200 kinds of beers. Cans line the outside walls and serve as decorations. There are 18 TVs in Westbury, 38 in Astoria, and there will be 60 at the Patchogue restaurant.

Lorito said he gets the same thrill from business as he did from baseball. "It's the same pressure as being on the pitcher's mound," he said. "You either make it or you don't."