A three-generation-and-counting family business with a prominent role in the community, Freedom Meat Locker was founded in 1969 by Sarah Lewis’ grandfather. She started working there as a 9-year-old, passing out food samples every Saturday until she was 21. After doing medical assisting for several years, health issues inspired a career change and she went back to work for the family, learning the ropes of the business from her mom and dad. Four years ago, she asked for an opportunity to prove herself as general manager. “I crushed it, and I’m not holding my breath anymore,” she says.
Freedom Meat Locker is a specialty retail butcher shop with a deli featuring “choose-your-own-adventure” handcrafted sandwiches. Her fave is the spicy mesquite-marinated tri-tip with pepper jack cheese, mayo and grilled onions. Others include the turkey/bacon/avocado and barbecue-glazed slow-smoked brisket (all sandwiches can also be made into a salad). Wildly popular French fries and onion rings stand out, as well as macaroni and potato salads. For dessert they feature lemon bars, brownies, cheesecake and pie. Food can be enjoyed amidst picnic-style dining with a chill farmhouse feel.
Tell me the business’s origin story.
SARAH LEWIS: My father, Howard Jr., started cutting meats with my grandpa at age 8 while standing on a milk carton. Inspired to open his own butcher shop, my grandpa and grandma started this place and worked so hard to make it successful. Then when my parents took over, they continued this hard-working legacy, often putting newspaper over the windows at night and working until the wee hours of the morning. A major family value of ours is hard work and earned success.
Describe your commitment to community.
It’s something we are proud of and take very seriously. We make a concerted effort to support fairs and many other local events, contributing especially to the youth because they are our future. I grew up in 4H going to many of these same community events that we now support, and it is our honor to give back.
160 Hi Grade Lane, Freedom, 831-724-1167; freedommeatlockers.com
