MELROSE — If you're a Bronxite with a million-dollar idea, but are short on funding, April 20 could be your chance to turn your plan into a reality.
The reality show "Shark Tank," where entrepreneurs try to convince wealthy investors to give their business ideas financial support, will hold a casting call from 1 to 6 p.m. on April 20 at the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse, according to Assemblyman Michael Blake's office.
"Part of the reason we’re doing that is to draw attention to entrepreneurs in the area," said Blake, who is helping to put the event together.
Aspiring businessmen and businesswomen who attend open calls for "Shark Tank" will have one minute to pitch their business, product or idea to a member of the series' casting team, just as they would if they were on an episode of the actual show, according to the "Shark Tank" website.
Anyone from the general public can attend an Open Call, and interested entrepreneurs can register to do so online here.
"We are always looking to find entrepreneurs in as many different locations as possible," "Shark Tank" Supervising Casting Producer Scott Salyers said in a statement.
Henry Weinstein, one of the owners of the Old Bronx Borough Courthouse, said he was looking forward to the event and viewed it as a good chance for people in the borough to show off their business talents.
"Hopefully, there are a lot of diamonds in the rough out there that live in The Bronx that haven’t had this kind of opportunity before," he said.
The Old Bronx Borough Courthouse has been used for a variety of purposes over the past year, including a massive art show, a showcase for local technology companies and a location for filming the FOX show "Gotham."
Weinstein said he hopes to have the building completely open by next year and listed options for its possible use ranging from a charter school to a museum.
"Our aim for this is to create a wonderful asset for that community and for The Bronx at large," he said. "We feel that there are certain tourist attractions in The Bronx, and this should be one of them."
