Grilling up American Tradition

It’s all in the family at Dublin’s Grates and Grills.
By Alina Makhnovetsky

As Christmas would not be complete without a toasty evening in front of a fireplace, a fourth of July celebration would also be shortened sans a proper barbeque. If there are no roasting walnuts on a snowy night, or no hot dogs simmering on a grill, a holiday just doesn’t quite feel right.

Thankfully, Grates and Grills of Dublin, Pennsylvania has been successfully helping these Americana traditions remain alive since 1975, selling an invaluable assortment of grills, stoves, smokers, fireplaces and accessories. Here, at this family run business, honesty, tradition and quality trumps any gimmick and scheme. Instead, Grates and Grills owner Frank Rymdeika values the old fashioned route of customer satisfaction and superior product. “We’re not getting rich,” says Rymdeika, “but we’re survived and we’re done a pretty good job.”

Although, Rymdeika remains humble, in reality Grates and Grills is a warehouse of a store boasting an incredible array of products. Simply put, “when they come here, they can take it home with them,” says Rymdeika. There is a plethora of gas, wood, coal and steamers, charcoal grills, tabletop or gas grills, and an assortment of fireplace necessities such as screens, glass enclosures, toolsets, andirons, fenders, electric logs, wood holders, fire backs, bellows and wood grates. Moreover, Grates and Grills also works with Fire Magic barbecues, a recognized leader in outdoor cooking appliances. The store manages to also encompass items that vary in price, without sacrificing quality or extra amenities.

For an added convenience, Rymdeika has an impressive Rolodex of contractors who work with Grates and Grills on some installation jobs; most of the products however, may be purchased and installed by the store personnel. Further, Rymdeika and his family team travel to two different shows each year, to keep abreast on their products, as they also discover new items to carry at their store. “We value the amount of knowledge we have about our products, we try to listen to our customer’s needs and recognize what is best for them,” says Rymdeika. “We’re in a seasonal business, summer and winter,” says Tom Rymdeika. “That is why we try to follow equipment changes, have a variety for our customers and introduce a lot more product,” concludes Tom Rymdeika.

Meanwhile, as a native and even a one-time mayor of Dublin, Frank Rymdeika has always given back to the community that embraced his family and his business. Each year Grates and Grills donates a grill to the firehouse as well as participate in other community events. For Rymdeika there isn’t anything more Americana than running a business with his children, being a presence in the neighborhood and of course selling a little piece of tradition with every fireplace and grill.

Grates and Grills is located at 105 S. Main Street in Dublin. For more information, call (215) 249-0182 or visit www.gratesandgrills.com.

Alina Makhnovetsky is a freelance writer and lives in Philadelphia, PA.