Most days Catherine Oravec can be found behind the antique cashier booth at the Bloor Meat Market. The original 1929 booth serves as a reminder of the shop’s history. Customers continue to slide coins through the worn-down change slot. Catherine lines up the coins on the other side of the counter and manually calculates the change, sliding it back through the trough that’s been created thanks to years of coin traffic. Occasionally, Catherine slides the Interac machine through the tiny window – the only piece of modern technology you’ll find in this historic gem on Bloor Street.
While this bustling Bloor West butchery still sells traditional meats, it carries a hefty selection of locally sourced and naturally raised meats. If you’re looking to entertain guests, this one-stop shop serves up ready-to-cook meats that will wow dinner guests (think: stuffed chicken breasts, seasoned burgers, tasty kabobs and mouth-watering marinated options). If you’re looking for a few shortcuts, the selection of barbecue sauces, rubs and marinades is unparalleled. Around the holidays, delectable hams, turkeys and roasts are all the rage, but be sure to reserve one well in advance.