Meating your needs Skip the grocery store and have fresh meat delivered right to your door with online butcher By: Nadya Pankiw Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2020

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/07/2020 (1528 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a pre-pandemic world, an online butcher shop probably wouldn’t be considered a viable business option, but now, it’s a no-brainer. Shoppers are more likely to purchase groceries online and have food delivered or picked-up, dissolving worries surrounding physical-distancing, mask-wearing, and hand-sanitizing.

While the COVID-19 pandemic popularized online grocery shopping, it also became an opportunity for smaller retailers to carve out a niche in the online retail market. Enter Winnipeg’s first online only fresh butcher shop, The Meat Company.

Nestled above Tipsy Cow lounge downtown, The Meat Company emerged in the midst of the pandemic, ready to feed local customers with locally sourced meats.

Although many might seem hesitant to start a new business in this economy, co-owner of the family run butcher shop, Billie Cross said fear never crossed her mind.

“My husband’s been a meat manager for Sobey’s, Co-op, he’s worked at Food Fare, he’s even been a cutter for Schneider’s, IGA, like he has a longstanding background in the meat industry,” said Cross.

“He is a master butcher, professionally trained from a college, and sausage maker. So it helps when you have that kind of experience to jump in and know how to do these things.”

Back in May, the Cross family began ordering their groceries online from larger retailers as an effort to avoid crowds and potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

“There was really nowhere online where you can order fresh food other than a big box grocery store,” said Cross.

“So when things kind of calmed down, we talked about it and we just kinda went ‘why don’t we open Winnipeg’s first online only fresh butcher shop?’” said Cross, adding her husband Stephen has 35 years experience as a butcher.

After one month acquiring the necessary permits, creating a Facebook page and building the website, The Meat Company officially launched on July 3. Cross said social media posts and word of mouth have contributed to a steady customer flow, with orders coming in daily.

“I think it gives (customers) a sense of security,” said Cross.

“I know for us that was something we were looking for. We were looking for ways to shop online for good quality products, without having to support these big box stores and we couldn’t find just an online butcher shop. It didn’t really exist. You can find something for farmers selling directly in bulk orders but what you’re getting is frozen meat.”

Cross says all of their products are fresh, never frozen, and are gluten free and keto-friendly.

Customers can visit The Meat Company’s website to place an order by 7 p.m. for either next-day pick up or delivery, however the shop is closed on the weekends. From certified Angus beef to pork to chicken to deli meat and home-made sausages, the butcher even carries a variety of spice rubs and bones for sale.

If customers are planning to place a larger order, Meat Boxes are also available, offering a variety of meats and varying portions per box.

“We want (customers) to think about shopping online, but shopping online locally. Not just ‘oh let’s go to Amazon, or Save on Foods, or click and collect at Superstore,’ there are so many other businesses out there that do online stores… It just makes sense to offer a pick up and delivery service. “

As the business has just been launched, Cross said she hopes The Meat Company will be able to purchase meat directly from farmers and plans are also underway to collaborate with local restaurants.

nadya.pankiw@freepress.mb.ca