Mantua – When Lisa Shaffer began working at K & K last year, she enjoyed the customer interaction in the small community’s hub, sharing, “I got to meet so many local people.” She became enamored with Mantua’s small-town charm. Growing up in Erie, PA, she remembered the deli counter in her hometown –Tony Benito’s — and admitted that she even checked to see if K & K had a trap door hatch in the floor behind the deli counter like the deli of her youth. (In case you’re wondering, the shop in Mantua does have a basement; sadly, it can’t be accessed by a trap door.) She came to love the old-school shop and the place it holds in the heart of the community.
As she worked there, she got to know Denny “Pops” Kolar, and learned that he was ready to retire. She and her husband, Tim decided to make Pops an offer. Over the past few months, during this transition period, Pops has shared lots of tips with her. Lisa noted that they usually began with, “My brother always taught me…” and included bits of wisdom like how to properly label meats, and how to properly wrap them in paper like butchers have done for generations. Lisa and Tim are proud to continue that tradition.
They officially opened with a soft-launch in mid-March, although the change has been in the works since last September. The shop closed as K & K Meats on a Sunday, but reopened the following Monday morning as Shaffer’s Meats & Market. The couple didn’t want to close the doors of this local treasure for even a week and chance disappointing loyal clientele. “Our customers are in a routine, and we don’t want to shake things up for them,” explained Lisa.
Lisa runs the day-to-day operation, while Tim continues his job at Swagelok. He also runs a fabrication and welding business from his shop at home, where he’s working on signage for the new shop. He spends time at the shop tackling renovations, as well. The couple noted they aren’t looking to make radical changes, but are interested in making improvements to make the shop more organized and efficient. “We’re not turning the old meat shop upside down — we’re the same old meat shop, but with a different name.”
Lisa stressed that they couldn’t do it without their loyal employees, and was happy to note that the entire staff was offered positions, and that all but three chose to stay on. “Every employee really makes it happen here.” She noted. “We’re here to help them out, and give them what they need,” she added. They hope to expand the size of the shop, adding more space to the deli counter and offering a small seating area. Eventually, they hope to create an ADA accessible entrance as well. They plan to retain the old-world charm, using old photographs of Mantua from “back in the day.”
While new signage and an updated awning are in the works and the shop will hold a grand opening event in the near future, Lisa stressed that the shop will still feature the same high-quality products shoppers have come to expect. Since opening day, Lisa has encountered lots of long-time customers worried the doors will close. “Please don’t worry,” she tells them, “ as long as customers keep coming in, we’ll be here.”
Shaffer’s will continue to offer the same products and recipes the shop has been known for, including smoked meats and sausages, fresh meats, cheeses, and deli items. Sandwiches and prepared foods are available for lunch and dinner, as well. Stop by the market, order online via their Facebook page, or give them a call at (330) 274-5322.
