A New Hampshire couple who poured their life savings into opening a butcher shop last year faced the risk of closing down until a social media post turned their business around.
Dave and Lindsey Houde, co-owners of Old Boy’s Butcher Shop in Merrimack, worked at Market Basket for decades before pooling together their retirement funds to open their own store last June.
Their goal was to sell the best quality meat for the lowest prices they can.
Months after opening, the couple faced the risk of closing down for good due to financial struggles.
“I thought we were going to have to close the shop because we were running really low on funds, and we just weren’t going to be able to make it doing the business that we were doing,” Lindsey Houde said.
In what Lindsey calls an act of desperation, she took to social media, asking the Facebook community for suggestions on what they could do differently.
After the post was published in early January, revenue at Old Boy’s Butcher Shop multiplied eight times over.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
“Everyone jumped in saying we’ll be there tomorrow, we’ll be there tonight, and we’re one of the ones who said we’d be there next weekend, so here we are,” said first-time customer Brianna Mcbee.
“The quality alone is worth the little extra that you’re paying, and to be able to help a smaller business,” said another first-time customer, James Ferry.
Despite the surge in sales, the Houdes said they recognize that local small businesses are struggling, so they’re grateful to get a “prime cut” of the community’s dollar.
>> Subscribe to WMUR’s YouTube channel <<
“We can’t even articulate it and put into words how we feel about it because it’s unbelievable,” Lindsey Houde said.
Since the post, the couple has had to close early several times due to the lack of inventory to meet the demand. The Houdes said they have plans to change their strategy to meet them where the community is taking them.
“We just love people,” said Dave Houde. “We’re in the people business, that’s what retail is. You’ve got to cater to what the customer wants.”
They are asking customers for patience as they work through the changes.
Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
