4. Bob Chicoine: The Secret to Dockside’s Success

By Matthew Lannon

Bob Chicoine, the majority and co-owner of Milford, Connecticut-based Dockside Brewery -- which opened its doors amid the pandemic to nearly universal acclaim and a financial success beyond any of its initial projections -- sat down with Win the Future host Brett Broesder this week.

Bob says that one of the secrets to Dockside’s success is the willingness and ability to pivot.

“Expect the unexpected and be able to pivot,” says Chicoine. “I can't stress that enough. Just don't be so rigid that you can't change because things have changed on a dime.” 

Dockside is one of many new entrepreneurial ventures to ramp up as COVID-19 wreaks havoc on our nation’s economy. According to government data, more than 3 million new employer identification numbers have been applied for so far this year, which is a nearly one half-million increase year-over-year.

New filings from business owners who are likely to create jobs surpassed the one-million mark through mid-September, which is a roughly 12 percent increase year-over-year -- and the most since 2007 -- according to the Wall Street Journal’s analysis of government stats.

However, when it comes to the service industry, most businesses haven’t seen the type of success that Dockside is experiencing.

Since March 2020, more than 50 percent of Yelp restaurants now list as permanent closures, according to the company’s local economic impact report. And, that number only seems likely to increase moving forward.

Nearly half of consumers are still hesitant to eat in a sit-down restaurant, according to a Washington State University (WSU) nationwide survey. The good news: That number is better than in earlier surveys taken by WSU during the pandemic.

Dockside, with a vast array of outdoor seating and a beautiful view of the Housatonic River -- attached to a nearly 70-slip marina and access to the Long Island Sound -- the brewpub co-owner cites this as a critical asset attributed to its success during the summer.

Dockside Brewery’s address is 40 Bridgeport Avenue in Milford, Connecticut. To learn more about the brewpub, visit www.docksidebrewery.com.

To listen to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, click here: https://apple.co/2IQYLTU.

To listen to the full episode on Spotify, click here: https://spoti.fi/2KoOOhl.