Big start for Tapanui's new butchery

Husband and wife Vaughn and Shelley Wesselson have just opened a butchery in Tapanui. Photo / Samuel White

The first week running Tapanui's new butchery has been ''absolute mayhem'', the business owner says.

Blue Mountain Butchery owner Vaughn Wesselson opened the doors to his new business venture last week.

Mr Wesselson had always made his own sausages which were well-received by friends and family.

''They kept trying to pay me for it'' he said.

Someone suggested he open up his own business to sell the product.

Before opening the butchery he was a nutrition specialist and owned a dairy farm in the area.

Mr and Mrs Wesselson purchased the historic butchery store originally owned by the Lischner family.

Mr Wesselson renovated and refurbished the interior before the opening last week.

He had sought advice from other butcheries on how much stock he should normally be able to sell in a single week, however his initial stock was sold in just two days, he said.

Mr Wesselson had to make an ''emergency order'' mid-way through last week to cope with the high demand.

Tapanui had a large farming community which was very supportive of local businesses and groups, he said.

Working alongside Mr Wesselson was the full-time butcher, a store hand and Mrs Wesselson.