By Alesha Capone
Richard Harris, who ran a butcher’s store in Hoppers Crossing for 35 years before retiring, is back behind the counter.
Mr Harris ran Richard Harris Gourmet Meats in the Old Geelong Road shopping strip – also known as Hoppers Junction – between 1979 and 2014, but sold up with plans to retire.
Mr Harris and his store were well-known for flavoured sausages, especially the Mexican ones. So much so that customers have been asking Mr Harris’ former employee, Wayne Godwin, when he was returning to business.
Mr Harris, who also runs a farm, and Mr Godwin have now teamed up as co-owners of a new store, Junction Meats.
Between them, the two men have plenty of experience in the meat industry. Mr Godwin worked at Richard Harris Gourmet Meats for about 20 years.
Mr Harris said that during construction work to get the Junction Meats store ready, many shoppers dropped in to request the return of his Mexican sausages.
Junction Meats’ three main suppliers are Little River Free RANGE, Parwan Prime and High Steaks.
Mr Harris said his favourite part of returning to the store was seeing his former customers, and even having their grown-up children, visit the shop.
“It’s just like old times,” he said.
