Mission BBQ holds an opening ceremony at its new store at 5440 Glenside Dr. in Henrico. (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
A Maryland-based barbecue chain proudly hailed its first Richmond restaurant Monday.
Mission BBQ opened for business yesterday at 5440 Glenside Drive, next to the former Kmart space. The opening occurred shortly after noon, when guests and workers paused for the National Anthem. The patriotic gesture takes place every day at noon at all Mission locations.
The company occupies 4,000 square feet in a retail strip now anchored by Floor & Décor. It’s Mission’s sixth location and its first in Virginia. Kraus said he hired about 45 people to run the store.
Owners Bill Kraus and Steve Newton have four of the restaurants in Maryland, where the company launched in 2011, and another in Pennsylvania.
It plans to continue expanding in 2014.
Craig Briggs, director of Mission BBQ central Virginia operations, and Mission BBQ owners Steve Newton and Bill Kraus (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
“We are just two weeks from opening in Wilmington, N.C.,” Kraus said. “This year alone we’re looking to open 10 [locations].”
The Richmond opening was preceded by charity events held March 19, 20 and 21 for Henrico County’s fire and police departments, and an event for the Wounded Warriors project.
Mission hired Maryland-based Herman Stuart Construction Co. to oversee construction. Kraus said it took about 12 weeks to change that section of the former Kmart into a barbecue joint. Kraus wouldn’t say how much it cost.
Mission BBQ holds an opening ceremony at its new store at 5440 Glenside Dr. in Henrico. (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
A Maryland-based barbecue chain proudly hailed its first Richmond restaurant Monday.
Mission BBQ opened for business yesterday at 5440 Glenside Drive, next to the former Kmart space. The opening occurred shortly after noon, when guests and workers paused for the National Anthem. The patriotic gesture takes place every day at noon at all Mission locations.
The company occupies 4,000 square feet in a retail strip now anchored by Floor & Décor. It’s Mission’s sixth location and its first in Virginia. Kraus said he hired about 45 people to run the store.
Owners Bill Kraus and Steve Newton have four of the restaurants in Maryland, where the company launched in 2011, and another in Pennsylvania.
It plans to continue expanding in 2014.
Craig Briggs, director of Mission BBQ central Virginia operations, and Mission BBQ owners Steve Newton and Bill Kraus (Photo by Michael Thompson.)
“We are just two weeks from opening in Wilmington, N.C.,” Kraus said. “This year alone we’re looking to open 10 [locations].”
The Richmond opening was preceded by charity events held March 19, 20 and 21 for Henrico County’s fire and police departments, and an event for the Wounded Warriors project.
Mission hired Maryland-based Herman Stuart Construction Co. to oversee construction. Kraus said it took about 12 weeks to change that section of the former Kmart into a barbecue joint. Kraus wouldn’t say how much it cost.
Are any of the threads in this story related: the name, the fundraising, the pledge of allegiance? Or just a nice coincidence?
Not quite a coincidence, more like a carefully planned marketing gimmick.
I tried Mission BBQ last week when they had their charity event for Henrico Fire. The food, service and overall atmosphere were exceptional. Mr. Newton and Mr. Kraus should be so proud. I will definitely go back!