Mission BBQ to Open Next Month in Kingstowne

ALEXANDRIA, VA Mission BBQ, a casual chain with a focus on giving back to first responders, will open Monday, June 12 in Kingstowne. The store will be located at 6482 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria, offering freshly-made barbecue with meat smokers on site.

But before the store will open to the public, there will be special events for first responders. Firefighters are invited to a private event Wednesday and police Thursday. During the events, Mission BBQ will donate sales to causes of the firefighters and police's choice. A military appreciation night will follow on Friday.

"It's a special event to extend our thanks," said Linda Dotterer, a brand ambassador for Mission BBQ. "It's a time for them to come in, be with their friends and co-workers and just celebrate."

Although the Kingstowne location will not be open in time, next week Mission BBQ stores will celebrate Military Appreciation Days Monday through Friday. Each day of the week, a different branch of the military is honored, and all active duty service members and veterans can enjoy a free sandwich. On Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., all branches are invited for a free sandwich and a performance of the National Anthem by an active service member.

The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, May 15: Army Appreciation Day
• Tuesday, May 16: Marine Corps Appreciation Day
• Wednesday, May 17: Navy Appreciation Day
• Thursday, May 18: Air Force Appreciation Day
• Friday, May 19: Coast Guard Appreciation Day
• Saturday, May 20: Lunch with the Heroes from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Aside from its special events, the barbecue chain regularly donates to local first responders. It worked to give back to local organizations as well as United Service Organizations, Semper Fi Fund, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, Honor Flight and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The chain, which opened a Fairfax store in March, has already made connections with local firefighters and police officers.

As a tribute to the first responders it serves, Mission BBQ opened its first store in the Baltimore area on the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in 2011. Current Northern Virginia locations include Winchester, Stafford (near the Quantico military base) and Fairfax.

Images via Mission BBQ