A long running business in Stratford is undergoing a change this Friday with the retirement of Allan (Aussie) and Fae McMechan at Central Butchery.
After working in the little shop since 1965 without a day off, Allan is hanging up his striped apron at the town's last butchers shop.
His wife Fae has been the smiling face behind the counter for 38 years where she has watched generations change and young people grow up.
Allan served his butchers apprenticeship in Australia and in 1965 came to Stratford. He married Fae in March that year and a week later went to work at the butchery, then owned by Elsdon Monk.
Allan and Fae purchased the business from Monk in 1971 and aged 24 Allan was the youngest business owner on Broadway. He believes nowadays he is the longest running business owner in the town.
"We don't advertise. We have our regulars, they're our customers and we have always provided a quality product," said Allan.
"There were once five butchers' shops in Stratford but things have changed. We're the last one now," said Allan.
Allan is a butcher from the old school. He said training today often isn't what it used to be.
"There are some young supermarket butchers who don't even know how to roll a roast."
He has a stock buyer who selects quality beasts that are slaughtered at the local abattoirs then sent to Allan to break down, bone and slice before putting the cuts into his impeccably laid out shop window display.
He had his own apprentice, Fabian Eru, who stayed with the business for 15 years. Allan was delighted when Fabian won the Top Taranaki Apprentice Award and Best Apprentice Butcher.
Government health checks have always made him proud. The shop has been marked down as providing the leanest mince, highest protein and lowest fats in its sausages and lowest nitrates in its corn beef.
"It's been a seven day a week job and I've never had a day off since I started at the shop," said Allan. "It will be good to have some time for myself."
It was in 1971 that Fae started work behind the counter, a job that was supposed to last three years but has been stretched out for 38 years.
She has seen a lot of changes with customer demand. Cuts that were popular 20 or 30 years are selling again. "Young people are experimenting a bit more these days with their cooking," she said.
"Offal isn't so popular these days but there's still a demand for tripe, the trouble is we can't get it."
She said they're looking forward to spending more time with their two children and three grandchildren.
"I'll miss my customers, but we're not leaving town," said Fae.
The business will continue however and Allan and Fae won't be vanishing from Broadway just yet they will be helping the new owner to settle over the next few weeks before taking a well-earned rest.
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