PARMA, Ohio -- Currently in its sixth decade of serving Parma, Thayer’s Select Meats has announced that it will be closing its Pleasant Valley Shopping Center location in the next few weeks.
“It’s just sad I have to make this decision,” said Maureen Thayer-Funfgeld, whose father, Robert, opened the store in 1966.
“I’m sorry for the Parma residents. I don’t want to say there are other meat markets, because I’m really (mad) they’re going to be getting my business.
“For the next couple of weeks, we’ll have a going-out-of-business sale. Come in and get your last homemade soups, wonderful steaks, chicken pot pies, lasagnas and homemade products.”
Thayer-Funfgeld said that early on, Thayer’s Select Meats quickly became known as the area butcher shop offering friendliness, quality and great customer service.
“The funny story about the store opening is at that point my parents had five daughters,” said Berea native and former Hinckley Township resident Thayer-Funfgeld, who now lives on Catawba Island.
“My mother said to my father, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to do, but you better figure out how to feed these kids.’ So he went into the meat market business. I was born just 11 months after the store opened.”
After originally having partners in the business, eventually Robert was the sole proprietor of Thayer’s Select Meats. Decades before retiring in 1990, he was joined by one of his daughters, Margaret Mary. Eventually, Thayer-Funfgeld joined the family business.
“I actually have a bachelor of science in criminal justice and sociology,” Thayer-Funfgeld said. “I wanted to be a probation officer.
“My father said, ‘You’re not going to make any money doing that, so you better come into the family business.’ He dragged me in so he could get out. Yeah, he totally bribed me.”
Thayer-Funfgeld ran the store with her sister, who retired more than a decade ago.
“I was really sad to learn from owner Maureen that after over 50 years in business as a Parma staple that Thayer’s Meats are closing,” Mayor Tim DeGeeter said.
“During the fall and college football seasons, I regularly stop by for their hot smokies and their chili. It was just a year ago this May that I stopped by to celebrate their 55th anniversary,” he said.
“I know Thayer’s loyal customers will miss them. I wish my very best to Maureen.”
Due to the fact that medical issues are forcing Thayer-Funfgeld to close the family business, she offered one last Grade A tip to customers.
“Live every day to your fullest,” Thayer-Funfgeld said. “You never know what’s going to happen.”
Read more news from the Parma Sun Post.
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