A GROWING BUSINESS — Baby-Boyz BBQ has moved to a larger location at 206 N. Fourth St., adding a catering service and a rental hall to its offerings. Owner Phillip Livingston and Jennifer Hill, the restaurant’s manager, were joined by leaders of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, the Toronto Coalition for Revitalization and the city of Toronto for a ribbon cutting in the hall, which seats about 130. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — As he celebrated the completion of a rental hall within his eatery at 206 N. Fourth St., Phillip Livingston, owner of Baby-Boyz BBQ, reflected on the business’ growth over the last 18 years.

He had started selling pulled pork sandwiches and other barbecued food at a booth at area festivals, working out of his garage before opening a brick-and-mortar location at the corner of North Third and Market streets in 2012.

A menu that includes a half or whole rack of ribs, beef brisket, chicken and, on Fridays, cod fillets, drew a following in the Gem City but the location offered little space for seating.

After 10 years, Livingston branched out to the new location, the former site of the city’s Dollar General store, and after undergoing major renovations, the new Baby-Boy BBQ opened earlier this year.

He brought to the new location the variety of food that had been popular with largely take-out customers while adding several large, cushioned booths and window seating.

But Livingston wasn’t done, employing local contractors Prc Sustainable Building Solutions and Hilscher-Clarke Electric Co. and others to create a rental hall within the restaurant.

“There was room, so I wanted to use it,” he said.

The result is a spacious dining room with hardwood floor, round tables for intimate conversation, elegant lighting and a seating capacity of about 130.

“It’s been a long journey. I never thought we’d get here, but we did,” said Livingston, who noted the business was closed between Thanksgiving and February to accommodate the work.

He said since re-opening, he has booked several private gatherings, including a baby shower, wedding reception and private workplace Christmas party.

Livingston said he was happy to inaugurate it with a birthday celebration for his mother, Marilyn Howard.

Those who rent the hall may book Baby-Boyz BBQ’s full-service catering as well as a decorator who works closely with Livingston or handle the decorating themselves.

BabyBoyz BBQ’s catering options include ribs, Carolina pulled pork, beef brisket, pork loin, chicken and ham with a special glaze; macaroni and cheese; bacon potato salad; garden salad; collared greens and other sides.

Livingston said the restaurant’s barbecued entrees have a distinct flavor because they are wood-smoked, while its wings stand out because they are smoked and fried.

The wings are available in the following flavors: barbecue, cajun, garlic butter parmesan, General Tso’s, honey barbecue, hot, hot and mild garlic butter parmesan, sweet chili and tangy.

Baby-Boyz BBQ’s restaurant menu also offers burgers, chicken strips and a variety of daily specials. For dessert there are assorted cream pies and normally with pre-orders, sweet potato pie, while peach cobbler is slated to be available in the near future.

Livingston said he will be taking orders for holiday meals and information will be posted on Baby-Boyz BBQ’s website and Facebook page.

The restaurant also can be reached at (740) 537-1227 (or 537-1BBQ).

A 1997 graduate of West Liberty University, where he majored in marketing, he has lived in Toronto since 1989.

Livingston said he and the restaurant’s manager, Jennifer Hill, know quality food and service on a day-to-day basis are vital to a restaurant’s success.

“You can have the best food in the world, but without customer service and consistency, you won’t succeed. our customers are number one,” he said.

Baby-Boyz BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)