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Ridgewells Catering unveils state-of-the-art renovated Bethesda headquarters.

Ridgewells Catering, one of the region’s largest and most celebrated caterers, today announced the grand opening of their newly renovated Bethesda headquarters with a ribbon cutting celebration.

A highly recognizable brand name that has served a prominent clientele throughout the capital region for 95 years, Ridgewells first announced its decision to stay and renovate its multi-building location on Dorsey Lane in Bethesda in 2019. The company employs a diverse workforce of more than 200 people and has been headquartered at their Bethesda location for more than 45 years, occupying 42,824 square feet of land and 27,824 feet of commercial space.

"Ridgewells has been an important part of the local economy in the District area for nearly a century, and a hard-working member of the Bethesda community for more than 45 years,” says Susan Lacz, Ridgewells’ CEO and Principal. “We have a lot of history here, and we’re excited to step forward with a fully modernized facility that will allow us to continue to be a good community partner and local employer.”

The company recognized the need for significant upgrades to the facilities in 2017, and initiated a search for a new facility that included buildings both inside and outside of Montgomery County. Working closely with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC), the search ultimately confirmed the advantages of its current Bethesda location for the award-winning firm. Unfortunately, plans to break ground on the renovation in 2020 were put on hold when the pandemic hit, which ultimately delayed the project for more than two years.

“It’s been a tough road to get here,” says Lacz, referring to the devastating impact of the pandemic on Ridgewells and the broader hospitality industry. “Ridgewells has been through a lot, and we’re so grateful for how the local community rallied behind us and supported us to keep us in business. We also partnered with great local firms to help us navigate the legal, design, and construction aspects of this renovation. Bowie Gridley Architects, Winmar Construction, Price Modern, and Lerch Early Brewer were all phenomenal partners, and made this vision a reality. The results are even better than we imagined, and this renovation feels like a dedication to everyone who has helped us, every client and every employee who believed in us.”

Walking through the modern, airy space Ridgewells now calls home, the dedications have taken on a more literal meaning. Conference rooms and gathering spaces have been named for Ridgewells employees who have passed away in recent years, a tribute Susan Lacz was eager to make as the final touches were being put on the space. “These people are part of our history, and now they are part of our future as well.”

Ridgewells Catering was founded in 1928, and has been headquartered in Bethesda since the 1970’s. They have catered more than 16 Presidential Inaugurations, and been behind the scenes for some of the nation’s most prolific historical events. The company also caters large national events, ranging from the U.S. Open Golf Championships to the Super Bowl. Over the past three decades, the company and its CEO have garnered an outstanding local reputation for community initiatives, giving back hundreds of thousands of dollars and thousands of man-hours in charitable contributions to local non-profit organizations within a 15-mile radius of its headquarters.

About Ridgewells Catering:

Ridgewells is a highly celebrated catering company in the Washington, D.C. area, in business for over 95 years. The team is comprised of award-winning chefs, event designers, and corporate staff who cater high-end corporate and private events.