INTRODUCING

Here at Rebus Works, we've made a commitment to support local vendors, makers, and businesses by giving them a space to sell their products. With our "Vendor Showcase", we hope to highlight these businesses, so that you can see the direct effect your purchasing power has in helping our local community.

Don't think it matters where you spend your money?

When you shop locally owned businesses, control moves from the boardrooms of distantly owned corporations back into your community. The impact is immediate and personal.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS MAKES A HUGE IMPACT

These business owners and vendors are your family, friends, and neighbors. Having more business means putting food on the table for a family, paying the mortgage, sending a child to college, affording health insurance, and so much more.

Read about these companies and the impact your money makes below!

MIKE D'S BBQ

We first met Mike D and family in 2015, when he started selling his products at the Saturday Market. We were amazed by his spices and sauces and loved having his positive presence around. Not only was he an extremely hard worker (he had started his business while going to Grad School), but he was always helping other vendors and entrepreneurs take their wares to the next level.

We've been so excited by his successes, as it couldn't happen to a nicer family!

In 2020, Mike D and family appeared on Discovery Channel's "I Quit" series, which followed small business owners as they transitioned from day jobs to their own businesses full time with the insight and guidance of successful entrepreneurs.

Viewers across the US and Canada connected with their story, admiring their drive, professionalism, and genuineness. They were overjoyed by the finale where it was revealed Michael was awarded a $100,000 investment.

In September of 2020, Michael opened Mike D’s BBQ Supply & General Store in historical east Durham, a community identified as an integral part of the city’s past and future.

At 306 South Driver Street, customers can purchase Mike D’s BBQ award-winning sauces and rubs, locally-made custom grills, Mike D’s BBQ branded apparel, grill tools, food items favored by Mike D, made by NC vendors, high quality charcoal, and much more.

Memberships:

• NC Specialty Foods Association, Got To Be NC
• Proud Sponsor of #39 Ryan Sieg and RSS Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series
• Preferred Sauce and Rub of Duke University Athletics
• Tailgate Partner with NC State Athletics

Our history is still being written, but has its beginnings with me and my love for smoking meat. I am a BBQ junkie. In my quest to find the perfect BBQ, I once had a blog where I reviewed the various que spots I encountered while on the road. I also was intrigued by the various sauces and rubs that were available, as I wanted to find the perfect combination for my desired flavor. Eventually, I decided to make my own rub and sauce and after many variations, I found the perfect combination of sweet, smokey, and a little bite!

In 2009, a spicy version of the sauce was entered into a competition for amateur sauce makers in North Carolina. My spicy BBQ sauce came in 3rd place overall and 2nd in its division! Since that time, friends and family have encouraged me to take his product from the backyard to the masses and that is where we are today.

Our business is not only the result of a long process of refinement and innovation, it is also the product of our love for family and community. We started Mike D’s BBQ to honor the life and memory of our late son, Aaron.

In 2020, we appeared on Discovery Channel’s “I Quit”, where we told the story about how our work ethic is inspired by our son’s battle with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: our son “had no choice but to fight.”

SHOP MIKE D'S BBQ

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: ABOUT MIKE D'S