A tradition of quality

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This article was published 29/11/2018 (2784 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For 60 years, when Winnipeggers want quality, handmade European style sausages and fresh cuts of meat, they know they can find it at “the cow store.”

“Even if people don’t know our name, they know the place,” said Mike Watson, owner of Central Products & Foods Ltd., which has been making sausage and selling a variety of meat and specialty grocery items at 630 Nairn Ave. since 1958. “They call us ‘the cow store’ after the cow on the roof. That’s an icon of this area, it can really bring back memories for people.”

The full production meat plant features three smokers, a sausage-making facility and a separate fresh meat butcher, along with a deli and grocery store specializing in Eastern European import foods.

“We make the old European sausages,” Watson explained, adding that the facility is gluten free. “We use recipes that have been used for over 50, 60 years. We sell in the retail store, but also around southern Manitoba to restaurants and grocery stores. And we (sell) the greatest selection of Eastern European products in the province.”

Along with fresh-made sausages, wood smoked turkey and ham, or fresh cuts from sides of beef or pork, Central Products boasts a wide variety of specialty perogies, pickles, snacks and more. 

“When people come from Europe, they remember what they had growing up in Eastern Europe, eating certain types of chocolates or certain types of groceries,” Watson explained. “So they come for their favourite products.”

With Christmas just around the corner, shelves have been stocked with chocolates, marzipan, and other regional seasonal treats. 

“We have a great, loyal repeat clientele,” Watson said. “We have customers who came here as children with their parents who are now coming with their children. People come not only across Winnipeg, but past-Winnipeggers who come back to visit family often come and vacuum pack their products to take home with them so they can experience the products they grew up with.”

According to Watson, Central Products & Foods’ longevity comes from sticking to what made them successful in the first place.

“Over our 60 years, we’ve maintained a homey feel here where you stroll in and you get a good quality product and good customer service at a reasonable price,” Watson said. “It’s been 60 years and we’re going to have another good 60 years here.”

Central Products & Foods is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 204-667-2981.

Sheldon Birnie
Managing editor

Sheldon Birnie is the managing editor of the Free Press Community Review. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca or call him at 204-697-7112

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