Witteveen Meats

The History of Witteveen Meats

1951 location in St George, ON

The founder of Witteveen Meats, Harry Witteveen emigrated from Holland (Friesland) to Brantford, Ontario in 1948. He began working for a local butcher and soon realized the potential in the meat industry. He opened Witteveen Meats in 1951 with the help of his employer. At that time the only experience and knowledge Harry had of the meat industry was from living on a farm in Holland and working at the local butcher shop upon his arrival. Harry became a successful butcher overnight.

In the early 50’s all of Harry’s meat products were sold at the Brantford Market, while all slaughtering and custom cuts were produced at the store location on Hwy # 24, which was called the St. George Abattoir. Business was doing modestly well; therefore, an expansion took place in 1961. New coolers and a large freezer were added in the store to aid in needed storage space. During this time Harry specialized as a custom butcher for farmers selling sides and hinds of beef.

Harry, had two sons (Victor and Douglas) who grew up working in the business. However, it was not until 1976 that Witteveen Meats became a Limited Company and the three of them became partners. This was also the year that a new slaughterhouse was built and the retail store expanded with another addition of new coolers and freezers.

During the 1980’s Witteveen's focused their energies on retail and processed products. So, yet again in 1986 the store on hwy # 24 under went another series of changes with the addition of even more freezers and counter space. This addition created a European flare and a fresh interior design. The new face-lift dramatically increased the clientele with providing a cozy, clean place for consumers to shop. Witteveen's had become known for its friendly service and fresh top quality products.

In 1990 the demand for processed meats grew even stronger among consumers. This demand forced Witteveen's to expand even further into this department by adding a “state of the art” smokehouse, a chopper and many other high tech processing equipment to satisfy their processing needs. The equipment lent to many of their tasty cold cuts, salami’s, sausage,s and a variety of smoked hams. This equipment also allowed them to consistently produce more products in a shorter period of time.

In 1994 Harry Witteveen decided it was time to retire and let his sons take over. He realized they were more than capable of running the store successfully. Harry went on to persue his hobby of breeding Friesian Horses and continues to do so to this day.

1995 was another busy year for Witteveen Meats with many exciting changes. “In-house” slaughtering came to a halt, and the focus on retail and processing was most important. It was also at this time, that wholesale business was added and a retail outlet at the Kitchener Farmers Market opened.

Business took a huge leap forward with the opening of the Kitchener’s Market and the sales from wholesalers. It was not long after their retail expanded even further into two locations in London, Ontario: Gibraltar Trade Center and Trails End (1998). In 2000, another retail store was opened at the Hamilton Market. In order to keep up with all the new retail business, another “state of the art” computerized smoke house was installed, along with a purchase of four refrigerated trucks for deliveries and storage.

After the Hamilton Market, Witteveen's continued to move east and opened a store in Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market (June of 2004). This market is raved as one of "The Top 25 Markets in the World." The 70ft retail counter is filled with a wonderful spread of marinated and pre-stuffed items that are a huge success. After Toronto the plan was to focus on all the markets and put a hold on expansion, but a great opportunity came up in the fabulous St. Jacobs Market. So Witteveen's could not give up the opportunity and is now in the St. Jacobs Farmer's Market (April, 2005), and will soon be across the street in the Waterloo Sunday Market. With nine location under Witteveen's belt they have referred to themselves as "Market Specialist" and are very pleased with the way things are going.

Witteveen Meats has also moved with the trends and has ventured into prepared foods. Currently there is a full time culinary chef that creates delicious "ready-to-serve meals" on a daily basis that are phenomenal. The culinary chef also caters for all types of events and his made a name for himself within the community. Witteveen's continues to focus on new marketing strategies that include: new packaging, new recipes, re-modeling, and much much more. They also plan to expand into more retail outlets thought Ontario so more people can enjoy their variety of AAA products. The staff and family of Witteveen Meats are very optimistic of the future and envision many exciting things. Witteveen's commitment and dedication to be the BEST IN QUALITY, PRODUCTS AND SERVICE has taken them a long way and will continue to take them to the next level in the food industry!

The History of Witteveen Meats

1951 location in St George, ON

The founder of Witteveen Meats, Harry Witteveen emigrated from Holland (Friesland) to Brantford, Ontario in 1948. He began working for a local butcher and soon realized the potential in the meat industry. He opened Witteveen Meats in 1951 with the help of his employer. At that time the only experience and knowledge Harry had of the meat industry was from living on a farm in Holland and working at the local butcher shop upon his arrival. Harry became a successful butcher overnight.

In the early 50’s all of Harry’s meat products were sold at the Brantford Market, while all slaughtering and custom cuts were produced at the store location on Hwy # 24, which was called the St. George Abattoir. Business was doing modestly well; therefore, an expansion took place in 1961. New coolers and a large freezer were added in the store to aid in needed storage space. During this time Harry specialized as a custom butcher for farmers selling sides and hinds of beef.

Harry, had two sons (Victor and Douglas) who grew up working in the business. However, it was not until 1976 that Witteveen Meats became a Limited Company and the three of them became partners. This was also the year that a new slaughterhouse was built and the retail store expanded with another addition of new coolers and freezers.

During the 1980’s Witteveen's focused their energies on retail and processed products. So, yet again in 1986 the store on hwy # 24 under went another series of changes with the addition of even more freezers and counter space. This addition created a European flare and a fresh interior design. The new face-lift dramatically increased the clientele with providing a cozy, clean place for consumers to shop. Witteveen's had become known for its friendly service and fresh top quality products.

In 1990 the demand for processed meats grew even stronger among consumers. This demand forced Witteveen's to expand even further into this department by adding a “state of the art” smokehouse, a chopper and many other high tech processing equipment to satisfy their processing needs. The equipment lent to many of their tasty cold cuts, salami’s, sausage,s and a variety of smoked hams. This equipment also allowed them to consistently produce more products in a shorter period of time.

In 1994 Harry Witteveen decided it was time to retire and let his sons take over. He realized they were more than capable of running the store successfully. Harry went on to persue his hobby of breeding Friesian Horses and continues to do so to this day.

1995 was another busy year for Witteveen Meats with many exciting changes. “In-house” slaughtering came to a halt, and the focus on retail and processing was most important. It was also at this time, that wholesale business was added and a retail outlet at the Kitchener Farmers Market opened.

Business took a huge leap forward with the opening of the Kitchener’s Market and the sales from wholesalers. It was not long after their retail expanded even further into two locations in London, Ontario: Gibraltar Trade Center and Trails End (1998). In 2000, another retail store was opened at the Hamilton Market. In order to keep up with all the new retail business, another “state of the art” computerized smoke house was installed, along with a purchase of four refrigerated trucks for deliveries and storage.

After the Hamilton Market, Witteveen's continued to move east and opened a store in Toronto at the St. Lawrence Market (June of 2004). This market is raved as one of "The Top 25 Markets in the World." The 70ft retail counter is filled with a wonderful spread of marinated and pre-stuffed items that are a huge success. After Toronto the plan was to focus on all the markets and put a hold on expansion, but a great opportunity came up in the fabulous St. Jacobs Market. So Witteveen's could not give up the opportunity and is now in the St. Jacobs Farmer's Market (April, 2005), and will soon be across the street in the Waterloo Sunday Market. With nine location under Witteveen's belt they have referred to themselves as "Market Specialist" and are very pleased with the way things are going.

Witteveen Meats has also moved with the trends and has ventured into prepared foods. Currently there is a full time culinary chef that creates delicious "ready-to-serve meals" on a daily basis that are phenomenal. The culinary chef also caters for all types of events and his made a name for himself within the community. Witteveen's continues to focus on new marketing strategies that include: new packaging, new recipes, re-modeling, and much much more. They also plan to expand into more retail outlets thought Ontario so more people can enjoy their variety of AAA products. The staff and family of Witteveen Meats are very optimistic of the future and envision many exciting things. Witteveen's commitment and dedication to be the BEST IN QUALITY, PRODUCTS AND SERVICE has taken them a long way and will continue to take them to the next level in the food industry!