Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats and Anya Fernald of Belcampo Meat Co. have struck a deal that will see Belcampo take over 4505 Meats’ Mission butcher shop. Both photos: The Chronicle
After three years of business off the corner of Mission Street and 15th Street, Ryan Farr will be closing the 4505 Meats butcher shop on July 26.
Ryan Farr of 4505 Meats makes beer brats on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 in San Francisco. Photo: Russell Yip/The Chronicle
However, the space will not stay dark for long, as Belcampo Meat Co. will take it over and reopen the little shop anew, under a new logo, on August 1.
“Unfortunately we are going to be closing the butcher shop,” says Farr. “It’s been amazing, and (the decision) has been really difficult for me, because it’s a big part of my identity, and the company’s.”
According to Farr, a large part of the decision was sparked by “complications” surrounding the company’s commissary kitchen, and the butcher shop cannot function without the commissary. Looking ahead, he and his team will focus their energies toward the rest of their ventures, namely their restaurant (4505 Burgers & BBQ on Divisadero), the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market stands, and the growing retail business that includes the signature chicharrones and bacon-studded hot dogs.
But the silver lining is that Belcampo is taking over the shop, for the company’s fourth Bay Area location, though this one will not have a prepared foods component, like the others.
“I’ve known Ryan for a long time. We’ve always been very friendly and supportive of each other,” says Belcampo’s Anya Fernald, who has been wanting to open a Belcampo outpost in the Mission for years.
The Belcampo Mission District shop will open August 1. Aside from the meat products, much will change about the space, aside from a new sign and some minor interior upgrades. In addition to the fresh meats, all sourced from Belcampo’s farm and slaughterhouse, there will also be reheatable meals, ready to take home. As Fernald puts it, it will be a “low key neighborhood butcher shop.”
And, of course, Belcampo and 4505 Meats share a lot of the same philosophy surrounding sustainable meat. Says Farr: “What they’re doing in the meat world makes me feel really good about moving on to other things.”