PARMA, Ohio — A Greater Cleveland staple is sadly about to be relegated to the history books.
Thayer's Select Meats in Parma will close its doors for the last time this Saturday after 56 years in business. The iconic butcher shop wrote on Facebook that owner Maureen Thayer "needs to prioritize her health," although no specifics were offered beyond that.
"It was not an easy decision," operators wrote of the closure. "Thank you to all of our customers and a special thank you to all of our amazing staff over the years!"
Bob Thayer first opened the Broadview Road store on May 6, 1966, having decided that "the only way to feed his growing family was to open his own meat market." The founder used his decades of expertise to make his business a favorite in the community, providing generations of patrons with delicious meats and "exceptional service" that even included cooking tips and recipes.
Bob retired in 1990 and left Thayer's to two of his six daughters, Maureen and Margaret Mary. The pair ran the business together for 20 years before Margaret Mary left in 2010 due to her own health concerns, and Maureen has been the sole proprietor since then.
Thayer's will remain open each day through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and in their words, "Everything must go." Besides the last of the meats, shoppers can also purchase antique butcher equipment and even a replica bull's head, but only cash will be accepted.