PEABODY — Even in a strong economy, starting a new business can be a daunting task. But starting one in these COVID-19 days, in the face of global curfews, quarantines, unprecedented unemployment rates and business lockdowns, presents an avalanche of challenges.
Just ask Peabody’s Jim Grieco, who is
learning firsthand, thanks to a little ingenuity, what it’s like to meet those challenges and keep his new Lynn Street business, Doey’s Ice Cream, afloat.
Grieco purchased the business in November, 2019. After opening to the public on March 1, everything changed two weeks later when the pandemic forced a state shutdown of schools, dine-in restaurants and countless non-essential businesses. Grieco said the public’s eager response during his first two weeks convinced him to stay the course.
“We opened March 1 when school was still in session, so we were busy with the weather being so mild,” Grieco said. “It’s when I go to the window and see kids jumping for joy, and their parents are so grateful that I am open, that’s what tells me I need to do whatever I can to stay open. Everyone in the neighborhood has been so supportive and I can see that this is an important service I am providing to the community so I am committed to making it work.”
Grieco is giving back to the community in other ways. This week, he contributed 20 percent of Doey’s window sales to Mental Health American, a favorite cause of 17-year-old employee Amber Kiricoples. The campaign ran Monday through Wednesday, raising $1,051. Doey’s employees (Kiricoples, Avery and Emily Grieco, Hailee Lomasney and Jordan Collins) generously donated their tips.
“That’s not too bad for three days, but I have a bunch of good, responsible kids who work for me and they came up with the idea to donate their tip jars. We were all just trying to do something for Amber’s cause,” said Grieco. “The idea to do it came a couple of weeks ago when we were here taking pictures of her (Amber) for an Item story about another (MHA) fundraiser, so I just volunteered for it and tossed it out there.”
Grieco’s daughter, Emily, age 9, contributed to the cause in a special way, donating her own hand-made paintings that brought in about $150.
“She had nine originally, but they were so popular she had to make more,” said the proud dad.
The promotion excluded telephone, Uber Eats and DoorDash orders.
“Uber takes enough out of me, I just love doing it for Amber and her cause,” said Grieco.
Doey’s was originally just an ice cream shop, but, since purchasing the business, Grieco has expanded the menu to include traditional and speciality pizzas, as well as dessert pizzas, including a popular S’Mores pizza.
“The reviews say I have the best pizza around,” said Grieco. “The plan was to offer items, like pizza, to make it a 12-month a year business, as opposed to just seasonal.
Honestly, I went into this on a whim. I was in construction and had never worked at a pizza or food business before. So it was a gamble initially, then schools closed down, but even so, it’s still been great. Everyone has been supportive in the neighborhood and it’s really taken off. It’s just crazy.”
