Beenleigh Butchery, believed to be Logan’s longest-standing butchery, is closing its doors after almost 130 years of trading.
The store, which opened in 1898, will close on 2 August as the block is set to be resumed to make way for rail upgrades.
The current owners of the past 19 years, Brett and Donna Brooks, have chosen not to continue the business at another location.
While sad for their customers, the couple is looking forward to a long overdue break.
“We have served generations of customers… One person has been a customer for 39 years,” Mr Brooks said.
“We serve a lot of elderly people with local deliveries, where we actually go to their door, walk it into their house and put it on their table for them. They’re going to really miss us.”
Mr Brooks has worked at the store since 1986, when it was still owned by the original families, the Ottos and Veivers.
Since then he has seen a lot change – including two other investor owners – before he purchased the business in 2006.
“I’ve been in the area all my life,” he said.
“I did my apprenticeship here and then went away for three years to work down the Gold Coast, and when I came back, there was such an influx of people.
“Before, I knew every customer. It has grown so much.”
While Transport and Main Roads offered the Brooks the chance to relocate, Mr Brooks said it just wasn’t financially viable.
“Also, I’m 60. After you’ve worked 40 years in one place, you don’t really want to.”
Nowadays, the retail aspect of the store makes up just 30% of the business. The rest comes from wholesale trading.
“We used to cut four tonnes of bacon a week, but then imported pork hit the country in 2009.
“We went from doing four tonnes of bacon one week, to two tonnes the next and then one tonne. Now we cut only 700kg a week.
“In saying that, we went from only producing about 30 hams a week to producing about 120 hams a week.”
Christmas proves to be even more popular, with the store turning over 30 tonnes of ham during a six-week period.
“We always worked really hard – I’ve worked no less than 50 hours a week since I was about 15.
“Donna and I have never had longer than two weeks off at one time in 33 years.
“So we want to start living a little life.”
Mr Brooks said he watched as the previous owners deteriorated working away in the store.
“Because this is hard work. And it goes for a long time.”
Mr Brooks is looking forward to retirement, but admitted he will struggle to sit still.
“My wife has already said I’m going to drive her nuts.”
