Dan LaLone
Contributing Writer

(Photo provided of the Garn family.)

A new family-owned butcher shop is preparing to open in downtown Charlotte, bringing with it a focus on locally sourced meats and farm products, traditional service and small-town pride.

Eaton Meat, located at 145 South Cochran Road, plans to open its doors July 24. The business will offer a wide variety of Michigan-sourced meats and farm products, many from right here in Eaton County. The store will also feature a full-service butcher, fresh local food items, and a classic customer experience rarely found today.

The Charlotte-based family behind Eaton Meat, the Garn family, has sold beef and pork by the half or whole for years. Now, they are expanding into retail cuts and ready-to-purchase items, something they have long envisioned. Opening a storefront in their hometown allows them to serve customers in a more personal and accessible way.

The shop will offer beef, pork, chicken and specialty Michigan Wagyu, all free of antibiotics and artificial additives. Meats will be sourced exclusively from Michigan farms, with many products coming directly from Eaton County. Customers will also find bratwursts, ground burgers, and a variety of steaks or, as one family member put it, “steaks for days” as the coolers stay stocked with fresh cuts.

The store will also carry a growing list of Eaton County–sourced products, including pork from Marten Farm, Amish chicken, honey and maple syrup. Mooville dairy products will also be available, providing a balance of local flavor and product variety.

At the heart of the store is a full-time butcher, visible behind a viewing window where customers can watch their meat being prepared and wrapped. The shop’s transparent, hands-on approach is designed to echo the service of old-fashioned butcher shops.

Customers will be able to walk in, choose a cut directly from the cooler and have it wrapped fresh on the spot — offering a direct connection to the food they bring home.

The space has undergone a full renovation of the former Smith’s Menswear building. While the interior was updated for functionality, the family made a point to preserve the building’s historic character. The original hardwood floors have been refinished, and much of the woodwork remains intact, creating a setting that blends small-town charm with modern service.

Eaton Meat also plans to expand its offerings in the near future to include smoked meats, jerky, and other specialty items. The business also expects to accept a variety of payment methods, including EBT.

A grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting are currently in the works. Event details will be shared on the business’s social media page. The public can follow Eaton Meat on Facebook for updates.

With strong community ties, a commitment to quality, and a vision built on tradition and service, Eaton Meat aims to offer something fresh, both literally and figuratively, to downtown Charlotte.