After decades in business, Sault butcher wants to pass on his legacy
For most of his 71 years, Lou Bruni has run butcher shops in the Sault.
“We started in 1979,” Bruni told CTV News this week.
“We had three locations – four, actually, because we opened up a second location at one time.”
But now, five decades in, he has decided to sell his business, Bruni's Fine Foods, wanting to enjoy more free time.
“I’d like to stay home a little more often, I’d like to golf a little more,” he said.
“I’d like to maybe even garden, which I don’t have time to do.”
Though looking to sell -- his Wellington Street business is currently on the market for $499,900 -- Bruni said doesn't plan on retiring.
Instead, he wants to stay on as an employee, willing to help the new owner learn the ropes of running a butcher shop.
“They would need some instruction, obviously, if they haven’t had any education,” he said.
“It’s not something you learn overnight. It’s a touchy-feely thing.”
Most of all, the butcher doesn't want to see the Sault and the Steelton area lose another business.
“It’d be a loss for the city, not just the area,” he said.
“There are so few of us left."
Bruni's Fine Foods has the Sault's only two in-house smokers. Bruni said they have an extensive customer base that spans generations.
Customers we spoke with said it’s the range of specialty items they enjoy most.
“The types of choices, obviously, and things that you don’t see everywhere else,” one person said.
“The quality of the food, the taste of the food keeps me coming back.”
Bruni doesn't know how many more years he wants to keep working. He said he loves the job, but wants to pass knowledge on to someone who wants to continue serving the area for years to come.
"We need a younger generation to take over the existing businesses,” Bruni said.
“At one time that’s all there was --- small independents selling their wares.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.