Bill and I have a small BBQ catering business called Billy’s BBQ.  When Bill and I decided to start this business we wanted it to be a part of downtown Bethel.  We began looking for a commercial kitchen we could sublease which is not easy to do.  We began working with Robin Grubard at the Daily Fare and came to an agreement we would rent space in her kitchen.  Since Daily Fare is in the Bethel Train Station it had to be approved by the Town of Bethel and The Department of Transportation.

We received quick approval from the Town of Bethel but the Department of Transportation was another matter.  In the big scheme of things it just wasn’t that important to them and when you aren’t that important then you get looked over, again and again and again.

That is when Matt Knickerbocker came in, he saw our vision, tasted our food and knew that our small business would be good for Bethel.  He made numerous phone calls on our behalf, followed up on several dead ends and was relentless in finding who could move this process along.  He called Bill and I to let us know what was happening and to keep us motivated in moving ahead.  In the end we were able to get the paperwork signed and started out catering business this past summer.

Matt had a vision for us and Bethel.  He knew that as much as Bill and I wanted to be a part of downtown Bethel we would begin our business where we could.  Since becoming a catering business Matt has pulled us in and invited us to be a part of many downtown activities.  He has helped our business grow and we hope that Billy’s BBQ will become a part of downtown Bethel for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Dionne Craig

Billy’s BBQ