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Colony Grill, a renowned pizzeria with a unique Irish twist, is all set to open its doors in Cabin John Village, Potomac, Maryland. The much-anticipated opening is scheduled for late June, adding another foodie destination to the local community. The pizzeria has transformed a former liquor store into its new home over the course of nearly a year. The location also features a newly built outdoor plaza, which promises to offer ample patio seating for patrons to enjoy their meals under the open sky.
Originating in the post-Prohibition era of the 1930s, Colony Grill’s legacy began in Stamford, Connecticut. The Irish-American founders introduced their signature bar pies in the late ’40s. These pizzas, featuring a superthin crust and a 12” diameter, soon became the sole focus of the pub’s menu. What makes these pizzas particularly notable is the hot oil topping, which is drizzled on before baking for a spicy kick.
From 1961, Eugene “Bo-Bo” Bohannon managed the business and cultivated a dedicated following that persisted into the 2000s. The baton was then passed to a team of four childhood friends. Paul Coniglio, Ken Martin, Chris Drury, and Cody Lee, each brought unique and complementary skills and experiences to the venture, ranging from financial analysis and culinary expertise to professional hockey and masonry. As children, they had cherished their visits to Colony Grill and were confident that its charm could be replicated in similar communities.
Since 2010, the team has successfully expanded Colony Grill to additional locations in Connecticut and New York, with another in Arlington, Virginia. This new location in Potomac, Maryland, underscores the company’s continued growth. The company’s strong focus on military service is evident in each outlet, with a “Wall of Heroes” dedicated to honoring local servicemen and women. Colony Grill also organizes an annual Hot Oil 5K race to raise funds for veterans and first responders and provides free pizza to veterans every Veterans Day. Recently, the company partnered with Wreaths Across America, promising a wreath laid at veterans’ cemeteries for each one sold in-store.
While cherishing the original spirit of the business, the current owners have embraced technology and improved internal processes to streamline their expansion. They’ve adopted a community-centric approach to business growth, favoring staff training, leadership development, and support for community programs like youth athletics over traditional advertising. This approach has garnered them a following of over 20,000 on social media.
The team’s focus on creating a positive work environment has resulted in remarkably low turnover rates among staff. Full-time employees enjoy extensive benefits and salaries that exceed industry averages. The company also hosts an annual awards dinner to celebrate talent, and management receives a bonus package tied to the achievement of specific goals. In a nod to the importance of work-life balance, the business closes for 10 days per year to allow employees to spend time with their families. As current CEO Martin explains, investing in people and delivering a positive experience is not just good for business, but it’s also the best form of advertising.
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