The butcher is in

Ron West, the owner of Grand Ledge’s new butcher shop MEAT on the WEST Side, is excited to be meeting the needs of the community he’s called home for the last 20 years. 

“The west side of Lansing and Grand Ledge have limited options for butcher shops. Meijer is phasing out meat counters while they remodel stores and seemingly moving toward all pre-packaged meats with no butchers on site,” he said. 

Having spent his professional career as a meat cutter for several grocery stores, including Sullivan’s Foods, Meijer and Walmart, he would know. 

Bringing such a wealth of experience to the table, West is confident in MEAT’s ability to cater to its customers’ needs. 

“We offer high-quality meat, chicken and seafood as well as the Boar’s Head line of deli meats and cheeses. We can do special orders, and we’re expanding our selections every day,” he said. “We’ll be opening up online orders for holidays. We’re happy to do custom cuts — our customers like thick cuts of meat.” 

With grocery store costs soaring, West is equally confident his competitive pricing will surprise and satisfy. 

Though the pandemic delayed his long-held dreams of opening his own specialty meat and seafood shop, West is just happy it’s all come together. The business, located on Bridge Street in Grand Ledge, is next door to Flour Child Bakery and across from the landmark Sun Theatre. 

West is the head butcher, but he has the help of a second butcher as well as his partner, Kris, and her son Vince. Though the store only opened a couple of weeks ago, business is already booming. 

“We’d like to hire a couple more people to help and are expecting a very busy summer grilling season,” West said. 

He’s expecting many good things to come, and he’s thankful for those who’ve helped along the way. 

“Our neighbors, Flour Child Bakery, now own the building we’re in. They’re expanding their business and have been extremely accommodating — best neighbors ever. We plan on doing a big grand opening celebration when the expansion is complete, perhaps in April,” he said.