easton

Beloved butcher pulling out of Easton Public Market, owners say

By Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For lehighvalleylive.com

 

A beloved butcher is vacating the Easton Public Market after over four years in operation at the site.

Saylors & Co. on Jan. 26 plans to close for good at the market, 325 Northampton St. It opened there in summer 2020, then moving into space left by Dundore & Heister, which closed in January 2020.

The family-owned business is known at the market for its prime cuts of pork, chicken, beef, lamb, veal and bison, as well as over 40 types of sausage. There’s also a variety of smoked meats; some Italian-inspired grocery staples; and made-to-order sandwiches.
 

The site was a second location for married owners Tim Mease and Maria Verzino, who also operate a flagship site in Hellertown. The couple now plans to retire and pass the business reins onto their daughter, Eleni Garzon, they stated on the business’ Facebook page on Thursday.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have been part of the Easton Public Market— a place where flavors, food, and community come together in the most inspiring ways,” the posting states.
 
Jared Mast, executive director of market owner, the Greater Easton Development Partnership, told lehighvalleylive.com Thursday the owners are wished well in their new transition.

“… and we look forward to welcoming new businesses to Easton at the Easton Public Market,” he said.

Longtime family tradition
 

Garzon said closing the Easton location was a difficult decision for her, as well. She now plans to oversee the Hellertown store, 105 Main St., which remains in operation.

“To close this chapter and move to the next has been heavy on my heart because of the beautiful community we have here in Easton,” she said. “I am excited to bring new and updated ideas to our main shop in Hellertown.”
 
 

Saylors & Co. itself spans family generations.

It started when Samuel Saylor, Tim Mease’s grandfather, operated Saylor’s Valley Brook Farm — a vendor at the Easton Farmers’ Market during the 1940s. Around the same time, Sam Saylor launched the Hellertown butcher shop.

Mease is a fourth-generation butcher who previously ran a store inside the Allentown Farmers’ Market, and across the aisle was his now wife, Maria Verzino, who was running an Italian food stand. They eventually married and merged their businesses into what is now Saylors & Co.
 

Since then, the Hellertown store has been known for its high quality meats at affordable prices.

All beef is sourced from Creekstone Farms in Arkansas City, Kansas; poultry is sourced from Bell & Evans, in Fredericksburg, Lebanon County; and pork is sourced from Leidy’s Premium Meats in Souderton, Montgomery County. All cuts are made at the preference of the customer, owners said.

The Hellertown site also offers the 40-plus types of sausages and the list is constantly growing. Smoked meats include beef, pork, chicken and turkey. There’s also prepared foods. Think salads and sandwiches; homemade soups and sauces; dip and spreads; and appetizers and sides, as well as quiches and pot pies.

A grocery section offers imported Italian staples, such as canned tomatoes, olive oils and balsamic vinegars; pantry items, such as canned goods, honey, fresh breads and syrup; and dairy perishables.

Saylors & Co. in Hellertown is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The store is closed on Sunday and Monday.