COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A beloved west side business which has been open for more than 130 years is just a couple days away from closing up shop.
Thurn's Specialty Meats first opened in 1886. For the last 36 years, it's been run by fourth generation owner Albert Thurn. But his time behind the counter goes back longer.
“It means my life, I started when I was 8 or 9 years old, I'm 68 so I've got 60 years. I've worked here and it was a passion for me all my life," Thurn said.
He's done everything at the shop from preparing the foods, to packaging them, to calling on the next customers. Now it's on to what he's doing next: retirement. Thurn's last day open is Saturday, May 25. The shop first made the announcement of its closure in December.
"It was the hardest decision I had to make was to close up, I just wasn't able to continue with that extreme workload anymore. It was the hardest decision I've ever made in my life," Thurn said.
Thurn knows numerous customers by name. Many did not wait for Saturday to stock up on their favorites. The shop was busy most of the day Thursday. When George Hardbarger was a child, his grandfather would bring him into the shop. He's brought his kids in. He stopped in on Thursday.
“Every bite is a memory man, every bite is a memory," he said as he held a bag of meat he bought. "I'm happy he’s going, I'm happy he gets to retire and enjoy his life, but it's the end of an era, man. It's a sad time for Columbus."
While the food is delicious, Hardbarger and Thurn said what makes the shop even more special is the family feel.
“It goes beyond the food, it's unique," Thurn said "Where you know everybody’s name, you know what they did, you know their children, you know when their children got married, it's all been like that over the years for us."
Thurn's also processes deer and other animals. Thurn said that will still happen. The shop is also planning to hold pop up sales.
