Meat, produce market opens shop in Decatur

DECATUR — Residents in Decatur have had to drive to another town to buy fresh produce and meat for several years, but a new meat market will give customers a local option.

Carniceria Guanajuato Meat Market sells a little bit of everything, just like a miniature supermarket, according to manager Carlos Ortiz. Carniceria translates to meat market in Spanish and Guanajuato is the state in Mexico where Ortiz’s mother was born, he explained.

Despite the name, the store isnot just for the Hispanic community, Ortiz said. The store offers service in both English and Spanish and has many non-Hispanic customers who frequent the business.

The small store on Main Street offers custom-cut meat, poultry, seafood, fresh vegetables and produce, homemade tortillas made daily, an array of canned goods and spices, essentials such as milk and eggs, and fresh baked goods, among other things.

Fresh meat is delivered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, according to Ortiz, who also serves as butcher. Customers can order any items that are not carried in the store, andmeat can be custom cut from as thin as a quarter inch to as thick as two inches, he said.

“I think it’s fresher this way,” Ortiz said.

The store also offers fresh vegetables and fruits year round. During the months the Rogers Farmers’ Market is open, it will also offer locallygrown and organic produce.

Carniceria Guanajuato is part of a three-store chain, including a store in Rogers and Noel, Mo., owned by Ortiz’s family. The Decatur store is owned by Ortiz’s sister, Jessica Hernandez, and her husband Daniel.

Ortiz said his family decided to open another store in Decatur because of the number of customers that were driving from Decatur to Rogers to shop in their store and because of the need in a community for a place to buy meat and produce.

Ortiz grew up in thegrocery business. His family owned a grocery store in Chicago, where he was born.

“My dad was a butcher. I’ve been doing it for 30 years - all my life. That’s what he taught me, that’s what I know and that’s what I like to do,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz and his family have done a lot of work renovating the building, which had been unused for quite some time. Itrequired a new ceiling, new floors and plumbing work before it was ready to open for business.

Ortiz said his family has made a commitment to keep a store open in Decatur and plans to be a part of the community for many years.

“I’m here for you guys. I came here so you can have a butcher you can talk to and know where your produce came from,” Ortiz said.