Friends save, rename butcher shop
An Oak Ridge meat shop on the west end has changed names and ownership, as a group of friends has opened it again.
John Wallace who operated J&M Butcher Shop retired Oct. 21, and the new owners who were fans of the business took over the lease on Nov. 1, reopening it Nov. 16. It’s at 42 N. Jefferson Circle in Oak Ridge.
“After almost 19 years running J&M Butcher Shop, John Wallace was ready for some much-needed rest and relaxation,” Denise Harmening said. She described herself and the other new owners as “neighbors and friends who live in Oak Ridge and frequented J&M Butcher Shop.” The other owners are Greg McPeak, Kathryn Baldwin and Rob Harmening. McPeak and Rob Harmening run the daily operations and manage the shop. Denise Harmening said the plan started over dinner Sept. 8.
“We had all heard that John was retiring, and the butcher shop was for sale. Like everyone else, we didn’t want to see it close, so we decided to find out more, and the rest is history. We are all very excited about the opportunity to take over an established business and make it our own,” she said.
In addition to meats including poultry, bacon and pork the store offers eggs, produce, local honey, coffee and other pantry items.
Secret City Butcher also offers ready-to-bake house made lasagna, Shepard’s pie, pasta shells with a marinara sauce, chicken salad, pimento cheese, twice baked potatoes hot soup, drinks, chips and cucumber salad. Denise Harmening said the store plans to sell seasonings that aren’t available elsewhere in Oak Ridge.
“You can be in and out quickly and walk away with breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Harmening said.
The store is closed Sunday and Monday and open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We have sign-up sheets at the shop offering several options for Christmas and New Year’s including beef tenderloin (whole or cut), prime rib (boneless or bone-in), rack of lamb, spiral sliced ham, and pork crown roast. ,” Harmening said.