<p>Shiretown Meats, the popular, long-established butcher shop in Edgartown, is listed for sale with an Island real estate agency.</p>
Shiretown Meats, the popular, long-established butcher shop in Edgartown, is listed for sale with an Island real estate agency.
Owner David Vaughan opened the Upper Main street business in 1982, serving a steady clientele of Island residents and summer visitors everything from grass-fed ground beef to prime rib eye steaks to submarine sandwiches from the small meat counter.
Mr. Vaughan closed this month as usual, when he and his staff normally take a vacation. Speaking to the Gazette Monday, he said he is unsure whether he will reopen the store in March.
In a statement, Mr. Vaughan thanked his loyal customers, and his family.
“It’s not easy to build a business,” he wrote. “It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice on the part of a lot of people. If not for my wife, Ann, and our three children, Mike, Amy, and especially Dan, the business would not have ever gotten off the ground. Daniel worked at Shiretown Meats for 20 years.”
Mr. Vaughan 72, said he is still working 60 hours a week when most people are retired and he felt it was time to turn the page and do some other things.
“For instance, every year I get a derby pin, and never wet a line,” he said with characteristic humor. “Dan would also like to try other things. I wish him good fortune, good luck, and great happiness. After 57 years of cutting meat, I plan on taking a little more time for my wife and family.”
In a 2015 interview, Mr. Vaughan said he began in the meat business at the age of 14. His only formal education in the trade was enrollment in a meat-cutting school in Toledo, Ohio. When he returned from school at the age of 19, he got a job as the manager of the meat department at the A&P grocery store in Edgartown. After a few years on the job, he and his wife decided to begin their own business.
“So I quit working for the A&P, and went out on my own,” Mr. Vaughan told the Gazette at the time. “Of course it’s pretty scary when you’ve got three little kids.” He said he never allowed himself to “mud wrestle” with competitors. “You’ve always got to be good at what you do, and carry the very best, and people will seek you out.”
Mr. Vaughan is already making retirement plans. He said he hopes to establish a meat-cutting class either in the Island’s adult education program, or at the regional high school to pass on some of his skills.
In a listing with Anchor Realty of Oak Bluffs, the business is being offered for $550,000, including all inventory, Shiretown Meats related names, recipes, logo and good will.
The price does not include the building, which Mr. Vaughan leases.
Comments
Thank you ALL Vaughn’s for
Sally Apy EdgartownThank you ALL Vaughn’s for all the great service!! We love you!
Will the recipes be sold? Spoken by a Kale Soup addict!
Enjoy everyday!
Best to all
Sally
Maybe IGI can purchase the
Dan ObMaybe IGI can purchase the business and open a much needed community slauter house.
Do you think that’s a great
Kate Wt/nyDo you think that’s a great location for a slaughter house? Better in a remote area. Hope someone decides to continue the business.
I meant butcher shop. Thanks
DanI meant butcher shop. Thanks for the correction.
Truly the end of an era.
Hut Pelham, MATruly the end of an era. Wishing you and your family all the best. You will be missed! Thank you all for the wonderful service and incredible selection of food, especially the lemon chicken!
Oh, David, say it isn't so!!
Martha MagerOh, David, say it isn't so!!
I'm not sure I can handle this!
You guys have always been top sirloin on my list. I can't BEAR the thought of you not being there! I. cannot begin to express what a pleasure it has been over the years. What you do is very very special and rare in our world
( rare.. just the way I like it "-)
I'm sad. But because I love you guys, I am so wishing you every happiness. You deserve it. Since it's not time to say goodbye yet, I won't. See you in the spring. Love Martha
That's Magee, not Mager!
Martha MageeThat's Magee, not Mager!
Grrrrrr.. Typos!
Is Shiretown Meats in the
Christine Powers WalthamIs Shiretown Meats in the same building as the former Beeftender restaurant?
While I understand your
Lisa V Charlotte, NCWhile I understand your decision, my husband and I will miss your delicious sandwiches. We discovered your shop back in the early nineties.
Last summer we came by a few times during our vacation.
Take care!
No more Shiretown pastrami?
Corey BOSTONNo more Shiretown pastrami? I can't even....
That being said, enjoy your time and go catch some blues.
I know - the Ruben was
MikeD WTI know - the Ruben was awesome
"Always pleased to meet you,
Steve Ewing Edgartown"Always pleased to meet you, always meat to please you". Gonna miss you "Dave de Butcher" I could make a "Danny Ainged Beef" joke but I won't.
good for you 'cousin' David.
Thomas G Vaughan Katama and Wilton Connecticutgood for you 'cousin' David. But, I need more hats for my Vaughans before you sell. Thanks for making dinners great! Who gets the Lemon Chicken recipe?
Dave-- Don't forget to add
Ann Graham Manchester VTDave-- Don't forget to add more skiing to your list of fun activities. All Vaughns welcome in the new Graham abode. We love you and miss you. Annie and Stephen
Dave, Have a great
Desmond CT/MVYDave, Have a great retirement!! I've been going to the shop before you owned it, since the 1970's with my parents. You truly are an Island Icon!! Thanks for all the great food over the years!!
EVERYONE in our family has a
Joan and Bill Connolly EdgartownEVERYONE in our family has a favorite Shiretown cut or receipe, or both. Plus Ann, David and family are among our most favorite people. The Vineyard will never be the same. But we wish them all the best on a well- earned retirement. So, congratulations and many THANKS for everything over many years.
More praise for Shiretown
Martha MageeMore praise for Shiretown Meats and reflections:
My great grandfather was a butcher and a 1st generation immigrant from Germany. He and his young bride settled in Brooklyn in 1910 when he was 19. At that time Brooklyn still had many farms. He worked hard, eventually opening his own butcher shop.
My grandmother and my aunts were good German stock, and they all knew their cuts of meat! As a child, I loved going to Mr Geismar, our local butcher around the corner in New York City. He would always greet me warmly saying my name and then he would lean over the counter and hand me a beautiful big slice of bologna, the kind you had to take the string off. He and my mother would then get down to business while I chomped on my Bologna. Such a happy memory. I still remember the sawdust on the floor and the old butcher block.
When my siblings and I grew up and moved into homes of our own, my mother gave us each a beautiful German made chef's knife, the real deal with the heavy handle. It is one of my most prized possessions. David, you kept it sharp for me! I take good care of it and wash and dry it right away after using it, putting it in its proper place. Every time I do I think of my great grandfather, Charles Henry. It gives me such good feeling. Although I never knew him, I am very proud of my German butcher roots. Goooo Brooklyn!!
Going to Shiretown Meats gave me the same deep down good kindred feeling. Shops like that are hard to find these days.
I have great admiration for what David and Anne & family have been able to give us over the years with such immaculate attention to quality, not to mention kindness and fun conversation, treating their customers like old friends, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. I always enjoy my visits and thank you for being there all these years!
You are irreplaceable, of course. It's the end of an era. I will miss you a lot, (as will Dave & Harry :)
" TIMES ARE TOUGH, BUT YOUR MEAT DOESNT HAVE TO BE.."
My favorite of your slogans!
Love,
Martha
Congratulations Dave and Ann!
Bill and Brenda Beckman DelawareCongratulations Dave and Ann! Your delicious food will be missed by many. Now that you will be retired maybe we will see you in FL in March. Best of luck to you and your family!
Nice people and good products
WashAbhorred EdgartownNice people and good products. I guess Reliable becomes the top butcher on the Island (it was a tie before).
A true loss for Edgartown and
John S. Hess Wilton/MVYA true loss for Edgartown and MVY. Many thanks for your dedication.
Best veal chop I ever ate....
Lorraine EdgartownBest veal chop I ever ate.....it was superior to anything anywhere I had been in the world.
I have been coming to
Frank N. ChappyI have been coming to Shiretown Meats since the late 80's, and nobody does a crown roast better! Your great customer service and quality products will be sorely missed.
Good luck to you and your family and thank you for feeding us. Your services will never be replaced.
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