Fresh Cuts Buys Iconic ‘Lunenburg Pudding’ Producer
BRIDGEWATER — After closing its doors last year, Greek’s Quality Meats has found a new home. The iconic business has been bought by Fresh Cuts Market in Bridgewater.
Greek’s officially closed on June 3, 2022. In a Facebook post, the owners said the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic forced their hand.
“The last few years have been challenging, with many of our wholesale customers having had forced closures due to Covid and [fewer] people buying retail from the ‘old-time butcher shop,’” they wrote. “We appreciate your patronage over the years.”
Greek’s was founded in 1975, under the name Lunenburg Pudding and Sausage Ltd., by Victor Greek. When he founded the shop, Greek had already been making his famous Lunenburg Sausage and Lunenburg Pudding for two decades, serving German settlers in the area.
Lunenburg Pudding is made by combining beef, pork, and liver (a traditional German food similar to pâté). The ingredients are boiled, ground up, spiced, and added to a casing.
In 2018, Greek’s son, Richard Greek, sold the shop to businessman Gary MacNeil. Before it closed, Greek’s had operated in Lunenburg County for 70 years.
Speaking about buying Greek’s, Fresh Cuts Owner Andrew Langille says that, ever since its closure, his customers have been asking for Greek’s.
“It’s actually been overwhelming at times, people calling, emailing, and on our social media all asking when or if we would ever carry the product again,” said Langille.
The requests from customers had an impact on Langille and prompted him to start talking with Greek’s owners, Betty and Peter MacNeil, about buying the business.
After a few months, they reached a deal that would see Fresh Cuts gain ownership of the Greek’s trademark, equipment, recipes, and processes for making its products. The purchase did not include the old Greek’s building.
Fresh Cuts has already started producing Lunenburg Sausage at its retail location in Bridgewater. However, Langille says he is still looking for somewhere to make the pudding, as it is an extensive process that requires more space than he has.
Evan Taylor is a reporter with CKBW in Bridgewater, a Huddle content partner.