The Chop Shop Butchery, which is based in Asheville, opened its Charlotte store in the fall — ahead of the holiday meal rush and before Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina.

By Sharon Smith

When The Chop Shop Butchery opened its doors in a prime location along Selwyn Avenue in late August, the butchery already had a following. Charlotte customers came to know the shop through its Asheville store or through its online ordering platform.

Now customers can walk in and order prime cuts of beef, pork and poultry, knowing Chop Shop works with small farmers who support sustainable, humane agriculture. The butchery partners with around 10 small producers, mostly in western North Carolina, including Apple Brandy Beef and Hickory Nut Gap Farm.

“Everyone who’s been ordering delivery from us in Charlotte for the past few years have been excited to have our full offerings available to them,” says Uriah Standish, general manager. “We are starting to build up a nice group of regulars, many of whom we didn’t know before opening.” Standish says they’re still learning more about what Charlotte customers want and will update their offerings based on feedback.

It’s been a challenging season, outside of just opening a new store. Hurricane Helene left their Asheville operations at a standstill. “In a town where we serviced a majority of the restaurants, there are less than 30% currently open, and those that are open are not at full capacity,” says Standish. “The lack of tourism, departure of many Asheville residents, and no running potable water has led to a shocking lack of business for us and most Asheville businesses during what should be our peak season.” (Note: The boil water advisory was lifted in Asheville on Nov. 18).

Adding to the difficulty, Standish points to many of his Buncombe County neighbors being unable to work as recovery continues, which means disposable income is hard to come by for many families. 

The butchery prepared for the holiday season months ahead of time by placing orders for thousands of turkeys. Standish says following Helene, the bulk of those orders were canceled, but Chop Shop still wanted to keep its commitment to the farmers. In other words, Chop Shop has a surplus of fresh turkeys to sell this year ahead of Thanksgiving.

Standish would be remiss if he didn’t add this: “One thing you will always see on my table for the holidays is a nice roast of beef, something like a NY strip roast or rib roast, after all, we are butchers!” Other favorites for the season include a brined pork loin roast, cold-smoked pork chops, bacon or a chicken pot pie.

I can personally attest to the pork chops — some of the best I’ve ever had.

Find out more: The Chop Shop Butchery, 2820 Selwyn Avenue in Myers Park.

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