Check out our latest featured in AEDP’s holiday series celebrating local entrepreneurs
All we want for the holidays is down-home southern BBQ. Next up on our 12 Days of Small Business Series, we have Old Blue BBQ, a “craft BBQ kitchen specializing in regional barbecue flavors, eclectic southern specialties, and homemade favorites” located in Old Town. Owner and Chef Stephen DiCicco, shares more about his takeout and catering business and what he’s most looking forward to this holiday season.
Name: Stephen DiCicco
Chef/Owner
Business Name: Old Blue BBQ
Tell me a little about your business(es):
Old Blue BBQ a full-service catering company focused on American-style hardwood smoked barbecue. We cater throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. We also offer carryout from our kitchen on Eisenhower Ave, we are a weekly fixture at Alexandria’s West End Farmers Market, as well as the Downtown Holiday Market in Penn Quarter.
What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?
Without a doubt COVID in 2020 was the biggest challenge we faced in our 11 years in business. Losing an entire year’s worth of revenue in a matter of weeks was extremely scary for my employees and my family, but it forced us to think about other ways to sell BBQ. We started doing farmers markets, carryout, and box lunches for vaccine drives hosted by the Alexandria Health Dept. The silver lining is that we expanded our business with these new offerings, and now that catered events have returned, we are stronger than ever!
Favorite thing about the holiday season in Alexandria:
The street decorations in Old Town are a must-see for anyone visiting or living in the DC area. With the twinkling lights and cobblestone streets, Old Town during the holidays is just like a Christmas card!
Highlight of the year (personal or business related):
This year has been full of exciting changes, but the highlight for me was implementing a new management team committed to improving our business every day. I am most proud of the work by our General Manager Carol Hernandez, Senior Event Manager Kari McNulty, Event Manager Amanda Mundy, and Sous Chef Chely Gutierrez; these hardworking women deserve all the credit for one of the most successful years this company has ever seen.
How people can find you (website, social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn):
Instagram: @oldbluebbq
Facebook: Old Blue BBQ