F & D Meats: New Owners, Same Great Quality

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According to a Mesabi Tribune Article by Linda Tyssen, the purchase of F & D Meats by the Walls family means "Good news for steak, sausage and roast enthusiasts across the Range — F & D Meats will be around for many years to come. The popular shopping spot on Virginia's Eighth Street South has a new owner, Joseph B. Walls, and his goal "is to provide exactly what everyone who has ever shopped at F & D has come to know and expect," he told the Mesabi Tribune. "Our advertisement has been 'New Ownership, Same Everything Else!'" And another, "Come for the Meat, Stay for Everything Else!"

Joe Walls who has a background in retail, and grocery store management and meat department had recently relocated with his family to the VIrginia area from the Cities. He was working as the Produce Manager for Natural Harvest Food Coop when he saw a listing for F & D Meats by the previous owners of 40 years that if no buyers were found, they would close for good. Specialty items such as in-house smoked bacon, beef jerky, beef sticks, porketta are just a few of the items that locals keep coming back for and keeps visitors traveling north making F & D Meats a stop on the way. 

Happy to have had the chance to have steaks from F & D and a place with such strong support by the community and loyal fans of their traditional specialties and recipes and quality, Walls jumped at the chance to buy it. With backing lined up and the support of his wife Tina, they have fully embraced this new adventure. 

In two short years of owning the business, they have replaced floors, coolers, equipment, poured new cutting room floors, installed new mechanicals, added fresh organic produce, built a team that continues to provide excellent customer service, and they keep exploring the additions of locally sourced goods to carry in their store. They know they have big shoes to fill, so they will be keeping the traditional recipes and ingredients and service the store is known for, while adding their own flair. 

They even have a corner with hand made artisan gifts, and special items during holidays. Making it a perfect place to stop and pick up items for your holiday menus or celebrations and perfect gifts as well. Joe and Tina are committed to support local suppliers, the surrounding community, and getting involved all while running the day to day operations of the store. Talk about a lot on a plate!

Also, Walls told the Mesabi Tribune that the business "would not be sustainable if not for the patronage, loyalty and welcoming smiles and words of every single person who comes through the door. I thank you all." Walls regards it as an honor and said, "I look forward to meeting and serving you for many years to come!"