Nice to meat you (5 photos)

Those concerned about younger people leaving the community to find employment can point to Gilbert Desbois and Nick Tatasciore (pictured) as inspirational role models for our city’s youth who wish to live and work in Sault Ste. Marie.

Earlier this month, the two Sault men became the new owners of Prime Cuts Meat & Deli, located at 148 Northern Avenue East.

Tatasciore told us: “This community has given to us and we can’t just take and take and take…we stayed in this city because its home, and we want to give back to the community as good corporate citizens.”

“We want to breathe life back into the community…we’ve already hired two new employees since we bought the business, and we’re already looking for a third.”

Prime Cuts currently employs nine people.

Desbois and Tatasciore purchased the well-known shop, established in 1989, from original owner Ben Caputo (who has remained at Prime Cuts as an employee). 

“The best way to move up in a business is to buy it,” Tatasciore smiled as the two spoke to SooToday.com this week.

26-year-old Tatasciore, born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, started as a Prime Cuts employee in December 2011, and before long he realized he loved his job so much he wanted to eventually buy the business.

Tatasciore started work on a business plan and when the store eventually went up for sale, he joined with Desbois, who he has known for several years, as a business partner.

Tatasciore originally worked as a welder before going through the Second Career Program, offered by the Ontario government through Employment Solutions, located at 421 Bay Street.

Tatasciore praised Employment Solutions for opening his eyes to the programs available through the Second Career Program, and encourages other Sault young people to check out various retraining possibilities.

Employment Solutions, Tatasciore told us, helped him get hired and trained at Prime Cuts two years ago.

“Check out the programs available…don’t say there’s nothing in the Sault,” Tatasciore said.

Tatasciore, who always wears a bow tie in the store as a part of his business image, urges discouraged young Saultites to keep their hair groomed, not to give up, and stay motivated.

Tatasciore, who is at the shop seven days a week, said success is possible through great sacrifice (he skipped the chance to buy a new car, joined with Desbois to buy Prime Cuts and takes the bus to work).

“As younger people go into business and take chances, I think the employment picture will get better.”

29-year-old Desbois, born in Toronto, moved to Northern Ontario with his family as a child and has called Sault Ste. Marie home for 15 years.

While Tatasciore is the hands-on type, Desbois handles the paperwork.

Desbois, through previous work for employers such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Essar Steel Algoma, as well as running his own small contracting business, acquired the necessary management skills to help run Prime Cuts.

“It wasn’t too hard for me to put the business plan in place…I know what to do with projects.”

Desbois advises young people to “not give up, even if things discourage you along the way.”

“Business is good,” he told us.

“We started December 2, and we’re enjoying the Christmas season business, and look forward to continuing that into the New Year.”

Prime Cuts offers a wide variety of food products, including beef, chicken, turkey, boneless stuffed pork chops, veal and lamb, all bought from Algoma farms, in addition to hot sausage (Prime Cuts own recipe, made fresh on site every day).

The store also sells pasta (including gluten-free pasta) and other Italian favourites, various types of coffee, seafood, a great deli and cheese selection and, in addition, Italian cookware.

Tatasciore said: “We’re open to special orders…if we don’t have it, we’ll try our best to get it,” adding he wants to satisfy the needs of all European customers, such as those who enjoy German or Eastern European dishes, as well as catering to the wishes of East Indian newcomers to Sault Ste. Marie.