Being his own boss a 'dream come true' for downtown butcher (7 photos)

Established in 1910, City Meat Market is more than a landmark on Queen Street, it is now an even greater necessity than ever.

Grocery stores are scarce in the downtown core, making City Meat Market a much-needed business.

“Just yesterday I was thanked by a customer that we’re open because there are no grocery stores here on Queen right now, and a lot of my customers walk here,” said Rosina Bruni, who, along with her husband John, owns and operates the market.

Both Rosina and John came to Canada from Italy’s Calabria region, the couple meeting and marrying here in the Sault.

The couple has owned and operated City Meat Market since 2005.

“It was a dream come true for John (to be in business for himself),” Rosina told SooToday. 

“He’s worked in meat for close to 50 years. When he came over from Italy, he worked at a small store like this one, called Palace Meat Market at the end of Queen Street, and the gentleman who owned the store taught him the meat cutter trade.”

“He worked for several bigger stores throughout the years, but then he saw this little place and he had a little sparkle in his eyes when he came home, so we bought it and we haven’t looked back. We‘ve been enjoying it. I still recall the day we opened and how excited we were,” Rosina smiled.

City Meat Market, apart from selling bacon, beef, pork chops, sirloin steak and homemade sausage, sells fresh vegetables, eggs, maple syrup and coffee, mostly from Sault and area producers.

John also makes his own bread, pasta, meatballs and sauce, as well as offering meat, pork and turkey pies and specialty burgers.

“We have delivery and catering,” Rosina added. 

“I’ve been delivering to some of my customers for 15 years. If we have enough notice we can cater for weddings, showers, Christmas get togethers, whatever you need, we cater to ships when they come in and need supplies. That’s been going on since 1910.”

Including Rosina and John, the business employs five full-time employees and one-part timer.

“The store’s very important to John and I, my son-in-law, my daughter (who also work at City Meat Market) and my other employees. When I get up in the morning, I want to come to work. We enjoy serving people and filling their needs,” said Rosina, adding she has no plans to retire.

“This is fun for me and my husband. This is his dream. My son-in-law Jamie is learning the trade from John, and my daughter Lori does a lot around the store for us. Having a family business helps because we understand each other and help each other out.”

That understanding and helpfulness extends to customers.

“We try to accommodate people’s needs. When we make our sauce and everything else, it’s like we’re making it for our own family, because our family eats the same food that we sell, so the quality has to be ‘number one,’” Rosina said.

“Our customers have become our friends. It’s pretty special.”