This Delano business is selling fun, and it has a new showroom to prove it
When Don Cary started All Things BBQ in 2009, his intent was to sell some grills and accessories along with sauces and rubs.
Since then, the market has guided him on what else he needs to sell. These days, it’s outdoor kitchens. Cary is about 75% done converting one of his three Delano storefronts at 818 W. Douglas to show a variety of outdoor kitchen possibilities.
He said that “what was once a sliver of our business has grown to something notable.”
The kitchens are about 35% of his business now. Patio furniture is about 25% to 30% of the business, and grills and accessories comprise the rest.
That compares to 2011 when Cary first put in a few outdoor kitchen displays.
“It didn’t make a lot of difference,” he said.
People would walk by the displays and say, “Oh, that’d be cool,” but that’s about it.
“It didn’t seem like people were that interested,” Cary said.
Then he realized the issue was more that he didn’t have experience selling the kitchens.
“All of a sudden, it’s like, oh, there’s a market for this after all,” Cary said. “It was more self discovery. The market was always there.”
Eventually he hired a designer to show what’s possible with the kitchens in specific and outdoor living in general. That part of the business is now so successful that he’s hired a second designer just recently.
The designers work with homeowners, contractors, architects and other designers.
Most outdoor kitchens cost between $15,000 and $30,000, though there are some cash-and-carry units for as little as $5,000 and some high-end concepts that are significantly more.
Cary said he doesn’t do full-blown landscapes, but he does offer designs for outdoor spaces beyond kitchens, which includes furniture placement, outdoor heaters, retractable shades and pergolas.
Though Cary never expected to diversify his business this much, there is one thing in common with everything he sells.
“It’s all a lot of fun.”
This story was originally published October 8, 2025 at 4:01 AM.