Robert and Barbara Anderson, co-owners of Smith Brothers Butcher Shop, are returning to the business’s roots with the grand opening of their new shop Thursday on East Liberty Street in downtown Savannah.
The couple made the decision to move the shop from The Landings on Skidaway Island back downtown to take the shop closer to where Smith Brothers originated — selling meat in City Market in 1924 — and to build a relationship with the downtown community the shop had not previously had, according to Barbara Anderson.Old and new customers visited the shop during the grand opening, including Marilyn Bardsley, a resident of The Landings. She plans to visit the shop at least three times a week, despite its change in location, because the quality and atmosphere is one she does not get at chain stores.
“These people — I can go to them and say what do I do if I want this or that. Willie (the butcher) tells me how to cook things,” she said. “He would tell me to get this cut of meat, not that one, because it’s less expensive and just as good. That stuff matters.”
While the store still has its loyal customers from when it was on Habersham Street, Anderson said connecting with the downtown community is a challenge she and her husband are excited about in the new location.
“We’re trying to reach out to them in many ways,” she said. “We’re trying to be in their world. On Saturdays, it’s unique. It becomes like a neighborhood hangout almost. Our goal was to have a store in an urban environment that was really inviting to the whole neighborhood, not just one demographic.”
Charlie and Tamara Phipps, who live downtown, stopped by during the grand opening.
The two said they had only shopped at Smith Brothers once before, but they wanted to visit again because they like to support local businesses. After browsing and sampling some of the shop’s offerings, Charlie Phipps said they would be sure to come back.
Anderson said she and her husband have introduced a new concept called Urban Farm Dinners to help solidify relationships with new customers.
These dinners are an opportunity for the couple to bring people in to tell their stories and offer food that is related to a theme. Anyone who is interested can buy a ticket and attend the dinners.
“We think we have a story, so everything we do during our Urban Farm Dinners will have a story,” Anderson said. “It won’t just be a dinner to buy a ticket and eat. It will be meaningful and informative and fun.”
The setup of the shop is more urban these days, but the main idea is something Smith Brothers has always been good at – meat done well.
As a result, two-thirds of all products in the shop are local, bought from vendors within 200 miles of the shop. She said this is important because Smith Brothers is a local shop.
This commitment to high-quality, local products aligns with a trend gaining steam in the United States, according to the 2015 Culinary Forecast by the National Restaurant Association, where the top two food trends for 2015 are an increased desire for locally sourced meats and seafood and locally grown produce.
Anderson said she and her husband hope to have more Smith Brothers Butcher Shops, not just in the Savannah area but in the Southeast.
IF YOU GO
What: Smith Brothers Butcher Shop
Where: 535 E Liberty
Info: 912-239-4512 and smithbrothersbutchershop.com