Local butcher shops no longer dot the streets of every neighbourhood, but some have managed to survive and even thrive in the new era of big-box dominance.
Calgary’s Horizon Meats Butcher Shop, owned by Todd McEwen and Stu Symes, embraces the old-fashioned way of doing business. Personal service, versatility, wild game processing, expert advice, and an extensive selection of meats give customers a reason to make a special trip to their shop.
It also has a special connection with agriculture as McEwen and Symes deal directly with livestock producers, know the names of their ranches, how they feed their animals and understand how the livestock industry operates.
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McEwen cites Russ and Melissa Friesen’s yak-cross beef raised at Springridge Ranch near Pincher Creek. Their yak was recently served to the visiting royal couple at Rideau Hall.
“It was Russ’s meat that we processed and that Will and Kate had,” said McEwen, who has been selling the Friesens’ meat for nine years.
“We were the ones who processed all the tenderloin, put a chill on it and then sent it out to Ottawa where it was fed to them.”
Yak is becoming a popular item at the shop, though not as much as bison.
“Bison is through the roof right now, and we finally got another great supplier, so now we can definitely keep up with the demand,” said McEwen. “We do bison smokies, bison fresh-frying sausage and bison pepperoni sticks. Ground bison, bison patties, it’s all just through the roof right now.”
Horizon Meats also sells beef, veal, fish, shrimp, scallops, smoked fish, pork, lamb, farm-fresh eggs, cheese and elk.
“Elk is moving pretty good right now too,” said McEwen. “People want to try it, but they don’t want to go out and shoot it. Ours is farm raised, inspected and is from Turner Valley. We do elk sausage, elk smokies and jerky.”
Ostrich is also available, but McEwen says that sector is experiencing some changes recently.
“Ostrich is tapering off right now, the suppliers are kind of dwindling down. I had three steady suppliers in the last four years and I’ve gone to one now. So I don’t know if the market is not there, but I know the demand for it is getting up there again because it really is such a lean meat with no cholesterol. People who are on a strict diet come in because there’s not an ounce of fat on this thing, it’s amazing.”
Those with a taste for culinary adventure often find themselves in the shop for exotic meats like python, alligator and even rattlesnake. All are farmed and raised in the U.S. and then purchased through a Canadian supplier. McEwen says people often get the idea to try something new for a dinner party or event from watching television programs, or by tasting and trying new items at restaurants.
Horizon Meats and Butcher Shop is located at 3610-29th Street NE in Calgary and is online at www.horizonmeats.ca.
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“Bisonisthroughthe roofrightnow,and wefinallygotanother greatsupplier,sonow wecandefinitelykeep upwiththedemand.”
Todd McEwen Horizon Meats
