Tradition vs Innovation

[Andy Lynes]

As a 5th generation butcher working within a family business with a 123 year history, how do you manage the balance between preserving tradition and innovating to move the business forward to ensure continued success (e.g. having a web presence and offering online shopping)?

[Evan Lobel]

Hi Andy, thanks for the question. This was and continues to be a real tightrope walk for me, but I think I have had some success. My balance comes by keeping family traditions and values, taking it “one customer at a time” and treating all my customers with the respect they deserve. Since we are an “old world” type of shop, small (600 sq.ft) and family operated, when walking in, it often leaves the customer with a warm and cozy feeling (and some great beef!), now, this has certainly been a challenge to re-create with the online experience, but that is what I’m trying to do. I still answer 95% of all the emails that come in off the site with the personal attention that they deserve. I feel I can’t go wrong with great customer service and the absolute bef product out there.

EL