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Meat shop not reopening
The Mad Butcher, meat processing and butcher shop, won’t reopen as previously planned, confirmed owner Ron Burndred Friday.
The fire, which originated on the kill floor of the plant, will be torn to the ground this summer, said Burndred.
“It wasn’t about insurance policy at all,” said Burndred who said the company had plenty of insurance. “I’ll be very frank with you — if it wasn’t for the government regulations they have changed (it wouldn’t close),” he said.
“The plant was not broken the way it was running. It’s because of new regulations, it’s put us way over the top of our policy. It’s not possible for us to rebuild.” Bringing the shop up to current standards would total between nine and 10 million dollars, he added.
“Regulations, don’t get me wrong, they’re there for everyone. We had a very high health standard. There was never anything broken in there. …. it was always a good plant with high, high standards with health regulations but to move walls just to make sure the drain was in the right spot or to lift roofs because you don’t have enough headroom doesn’t make sense when it wasn’t broke before.”
The 18,000-square foot plant suffered severe damage to the side and back of the building.
“It has to come down,” he said of the building. Currently they are salvaging supplies and equipment from the three other buildings that housed product for a possible auction this summer or early fall.
Meanwhile the couple, Ron and Yvette, are assessing what their next step is.
“We’re going to see if we can retire or not. We don’t know, we’re still assessing our financial situation,” he said, adding that 43 employees are now officially without work.
“It’s a life-changing experience for all of us including our staff. …. we’ve lost our livelihood as well as the livelihood of all our staff. It’s sad to see a viable, very busy business go the way of the dinosaur.”
The plant processed everything that was legal in the Alberta meat industry and included a custom sausage kitchen, a retail operation.
“We’ve sure appreciated all of the loyalty and the people who have shopped with us. We’re sorry it’s happened but it’s one of those things.”
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