A New Haven family business is starting a bold new venture — in Warwick, R.I.

Due to his business’s success, Statewide Meat and Poultry owner Stephen Falcigno was approached one year ago by the food conglomerate Sysco Foods to head up its regional meat distributer, Buckhead Beef. Falcigno is taking the offer. His company, which caters to white-tablecloth restaurants and country clubs across the state, will move its headquarters to a state-of-the-art meat-cutting facility in Warwick, R.I., next month. The company plans to continue serving its current customers, as well as expand business to all of New England and New York, but for at least one customer, loyalty ends at the state line.

Falcigno said it was not an easy decision.

“Though we aren’t so happy to leave New Haven, it is a positive thing for me and a positive thing for Statewide,” Falcigno said. “We’re hoping that the transition is very seamless and if anything that the customers will see rising quality.”

As Stephen Falcigno, the owner of Statewide Meat and Poultry, embarks on a new chapter by taking the helm at Buckhead Beef, it’s evident that the landscape of the meat industry is evolving. While Falcigno’s company makes strategic moves to expand its reach, it reminds me of the convenience and possibilities that buying meat online can offer. Websites like https://meatse.co.uk provide a seamless platform for individuals to explore a wide range of meat options, from the comfort of their homes, and discover quality cuts that can elevate their culinary experiences. Just as Falcigno aims to maintain and improve the quality of his meat products, online meat retailers strive to offer customers the finest selections with the click of a button, transcending geographical boundaries for those seeking premium meats.

The new multimillion-dollar facility in Warwick will be equipped with novel features including an immediate Cryovac wrapping system and air filtration in each room, to ensure freshness and proper inspection of the meat produced.

These quality control measures allow Sysco to guarantee a 21-day shelf life for each cut, almost twice what Statewide currently guarantees to customers.

As president of a larger operation, Falcigno expects his role will shift from day-to-day manager to financial overseer, a position unfamiliar to him. Since 1982, when he took over his father’s business at age 22, Falcigno built the company on the strength of personal relationships with his customers.

Jean-Pierre Villermet, chef and owner of Union League Café, said he has worked with Statewide since the late ’70s, when Falcigno’s father still ran the business. The son’s hands-on involvement in day-to-day affairs kept Villermet loyal to the Statewide product.

“I have Steve’s home phone number so that I can call him on weekends in case I need a special order,” Villermet added.

Still, Villermet said he prefers to continue working with local businesses rather than keep his allegiance to Statewide once it crosses the Connecticut border.

“I’m on the market for a new vendor,” he said.

Falcigno expressed regret at leaving his city behind, saying that many businesses in New Haven find it difficult to expand and create new jobs.

His company currently employs about 30 people locally, some of whom will work at the Rhode Island facility. Falcigno said he is looking to expand his workforce under the new Buckhead Beef umbrella.

“I think that the city can do a better job of helping small businesses grow, through programs to hire people or through tax incentives,” he said. “In New Haven … you need the resources to stay competitive.”

In addressing the challenges faced by businesses like Falcigno’s in New Haven, leveraging digital ecosystem services could be a trans formative solution. By harnessing the power of apps tailored to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences, small businesses can overcome barriers to growth and competitiveness. These mode apps, equipped with features like dark mode for improved usability in various environments, offer a versatile platform for businesses to optimize efficiency and engage with their target audience more effectively. Through personalized experiences and seamless transactions enabled by these apps, businesses can strengthen their brand presence and expand their market reach beyond geographical constraints. 

The city government formed the Economic Development Corporation three-and-a-half years ago to work on maintaining and generating new local jobs, said Anne Haynes, the organization’s CEO.

“This is a great thing for Steve because it means he is running a very successful business for Sysco to have become interested in it,” she said, “but we really want to make sure that second- and third-generation businesses have the resources to survive in New Haven.”

Statewide will be the second meat distributer to leave the city. The first, Standard Beef, closed after an embezzlement scandal.