BYRD'S CHOICE MEATS KEEPS TRADITION ALIVE AT HIS 'OLD-SCHOOL BUTCHER SHOP'

Large grocery stores and super centers has pushed aside many of neighborhood butcher shop from most places these days; however, Byrd's Choice Meats in Livonia continues to be an exception to the trend.

Livonia's lone remaining butcher shop - located on Seven Mile Road, just east of Farmington Road - is approaching its 50th anniversary. At Byrd's, butchers are available behind spacious coolers filled with an extraordinary collection of foods, ready to make precise cuts for customers.

Owner John Bennett scours North America to find quality meats, seafood, cheeses, and other specialities that provide tasty family meals and party treats at places across southeastern Michigan. He buys pork from lowa, turkeys from Pennsylvania, seafood from Canada, and beef and prime rib from various locations across the Midwest.

"There are not many old-school butcher shops like ours around anymore," said Bennett, Who's worked at the store since 1984. "we have a lot of loyal customers. I'm now seeing customers who were kids when I started work here, and now they are coming here to shop as adults."

He added that some of his regular customers travel from as far as Howell and Ann Arbor to purchase prime cuts from Byrd's.

"Byrd's is another great example of a business that found its niche here in Livonia, grew with the community through the years, and continues to experience success today," said Livonia Chamber of Commerce President Dan West.

George Byrd opened his butcher shop on Five Mile Road in 1959. Twelve years later, he moved to a spot on the corner of Schoolcraft and Merriman roads. In 1976, Byrd's moved to its current location at 33066 Seve Mile Road, next door to another long-running family business at Joe's Produce.

Mr. Byrd, who continues to enjoy retirement today, turned over his successful operation in 2000 to Bennett, a long-time employee and manager who aims to maintain the Byrd's tradition. Bennett brings a passion for serving customers and appreciating a butcher's craft since age 13, when he started counting empty bottles in a grocery store.

"I was always drawn to the butcher," he said. "It was interesting to watch them work and I wanted to learn from them."

The store evolved into a 4,800-square foot meat, seafood and delicatessen facility which also offers a number of gourmet goods and other unique products, such as German groceries, frozen Buffalo meat, party trays, family-size freezer packs of fresh meats, and lamb. Dearborn Products spiral hams and various Kowalski products.

Each day, Bennett's crew takes the extra effort to prepare fresh ground beef and homemade fresh and smoked sausage products. He said his best-selling items include steaks and beef, but customers also count on Byrd's for a fine selection of Dearborn Products spiral hams, Kowalski meats and Alexander Hornung products.

"I think people like what we offer, but they also come to us because of our service,"Bennett said. "We help people with instructions to cook and prepare their meals. We take the time to consult people on how to prepare the roasts and steaks."

Byrd's Choice Meats is open seven days a week: From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The phone number is (248) 478-8680. Phone-in orders are welcomed.WE ACCEPT EBT CARDS. VISA AND MASTER CARDS