A couple of 25-year old entrepreneurs in search of something more out of life than simply punching a time clock for somebody else made the quantum leap last fall to go into business for themselves. They began their own butcher shop in Eau Claire less than a year ago to help deer hunters in Michigan's Great Southwest with the processing of their catch. They were met with considerable success and last month they launched phase two by introducing custom butcher services for cows, pigs and other animals.
Clear Water Meats is the the brainchild of Willie Hannan and Tim Nimitz. Willie comes from a background in sustainable farming and the customer service field. Tim's background stems from culinary arts school and both grain and livestock farming. They know their business well and have planned accordingly.
The two have always processed their own deer and created hand-made sausages with Tim's great grandfather Arnold Doberstein. The feel that they have found a great niche opportunity with the ever increasing age of the existing butcher community talent in SW Michigan. Many have been retiring and Willie says they just didn't see anyone willing to pick up the slack and get into the business.
Clear Water Meats provides deer processing, custom live animal slaughter services, custom meat processing, fresh and smoked sausages hand-crafted right on site at their facility located at 5976 Old Pipestone Road in Eau Claire. Their sparkling clean new facility coupled with the old school way of butchering steps into the modern world for anyone in need of such services and the ultimate products they produce. The shop does not, however, handle poultry.
Clear Water Meats is fully licensed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, blending traditional, generations-old, methods with a unique approach to processing. The guys pay particular attention to freshness and flavor, are professionally trained and classically skilled in butcher shop techniques.
They were exhibitors at the recently concluded Berrien County Youth Fair and have taken their show on the road to several farmers markets in the Chicagoland area over the course of the summer, drumming up new business and customers. You can reach Clear Water Meats by phone at 269-208-4970.
