Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You’re IT Black Rock Social House!
Three questions with Mark Turocy, founder of Black Rock Social House.
Why did you start your business?
I started this business because I am absolutely in love with the Hospitality industry and wanted to create a concept and brand that nobody else is doing. Something that makes us stand out from everyone else in the market.
International Comfort Food cuisine is not commonly used as a concept. Coupled with the fact that we are 100% gluten-free (and you would never know that unless we told you), it makes us stand out. I wanted to put our mark on a sector of the industry that is currently untapped and is not represented well.
What is your best-selling product/service?
Well, for our bar program, it is by far our Margarita Flight. Four different flavors of Margarita (Mango, Pomegranate, Spicy High Kick, and Lavender). Of which, you can now have them “rimmed” with CBD-infused sugar and salt.
You can also get any of these margaritas on your own. As for our food program, we have our core menu that our Chicken Paprikash stands out with. It’s our number one selling Comfort Food Entree. Our Confit Chicken Drums are extremely popular for our Noshables (appetizers).
But it’s our Monthly Food Culture program that really draws in our guests. We choose a different country in the world every single month and our chef team creates our weekly specials from that country’s cuisine.
We are currently on our last week in Japan, and next month, we are off to Germany. It never gets boring and it draws the guests back to be exposed to a different country’s “food culture” every single month. It’s hard work to execute this program, but we all feel that it is something very special.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
If there is something that I firmly believe in, it’s helping and showcasing small local businesses. I am very proud of the partnerships that I have cultivated over the time we have been open. First and foremost, Firefly Hollow Brewery, based in Bristol, provides an amazing rotation of craft beer for us. What makes them special is that their entire portfolio of beer is GLUTEN REMOVED.
As I mentioned before, we are a 100% gluten-free kitchen, so we sell more Firefly Hollow Brewery beer than any other on tap. We always have 3 varieties on tap at all times. We are so proud to be partnered with them. Additionally, we proudly just started a partnership with Wolfy’s Wonka. They are a CBD business in Black Rock. They infused salt and sugar to be used for our beverage program. It’s something unique that nobody else is doing and they really enhance the beverage experience. I am also very proud that we support local nonprofit organizations to raise awareness, funding, and support.
We are proud to partner with Woofgang and Co. and The Imperial Sovereign Court of all of Connecticut. We also have amazing sponsorships with The New Haven Pride Center and The Music Theatre of Connecticut.
Black Rock Social House is located at 2895 Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport. Visit Black Rock Social House online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram pages as well!
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!