Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Nickelson.
Nick, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
While serving as a speaker at “Camp Brisket” at Texas A&M, a participant from Fort Worth asked me where he could buy good meat in Fort Worth. I could not come up with a good answer. There were several places that had fresh meat but no premium, aged and specialty operations. When I returned, I mentioned it to my office partner and friend for 20 plus years. Don Rea agreed that there was a need for such a store in Fort Worth. After all, “Fort Worth is Cowtown”! He and I discussed the idea off and on for 3-4 years and wrote a minimal business plan. As we discussed what it would look like, the bigger question was where?
We explored the length of Camp Bowie, Vickery, University, Bryant Irving and others and could not find what we considered the right location. We would need easy access, street appeal, supportive neighborhoods, adequate parking, floor drains and a great landlord. Finally a location became available. 6314 Camp Bowie was for lease and had previously been occupied by two different restaurant operations. We agreed that if we could not pull the trigger on this dream it was time to stop talking about it and buy a fishing boat!
Has it been a smooth road?
The route to where we are now was somewhat tumultuous. Part was our newness to this endeavor and part was civil bureaucracy. On our part we are perfectionists and every part of the build-out had to be done right. We ran into small delays on signage permits and a hand-washing sinkage requirement. There was a lot of work in stocking and setting up point of sales system to control inventory.
Our goal was to open in 2019 so we opened on New Years Eve Day! The weather was cold and rainy for the first two months. We even had snow on a Saturday morning. Saturdays have become one of our busiest days. Valentine’s and Easter were nice boosts to our business. Springtime and outdoor grilling seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel. Instead, the COVID-19 virus was in the middle of our track! We have persevered and business is trending in a positive manner.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Meat Board – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
The Meat Board, a premium steak and provisions retail store opened at 6314 Camp Bowie on December 31, 2019. The idea for this concept came from partners and advisors that have a wealth of education and experience in meats and other fine foods. The premium steaks are sourced from responsible suppliers that are able to meet The Meat Board’s specification for size, age and quality grade. All steaks are USDA inspected, have been graded USDA Prime or Premium Choice and are aged to ensure the most tender, juicy and flavorful eating experience. After further aging, these steaks are trimmed to The Meat Board’s in-house standards and sold by the desired thickness.
Provisions include speciality side dishes, bread, desserts, meats, cheeses, spices, jellies, salsas, cast iron skillets, thermometers and private labeled olive oils. A deli sandwich offering is available from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm with complimentary coffee or tea. The signature sandwich is a grilled tenderloin with special sauce, blue-cheese, and lettuce on a sweet kolache bun. Other sandwiches include: Doggone Good hot dog, Double Standard cheeseburger, BLT, the Yard Bird, and our lunch salad. Custom charcuterie boards will be available for tailgates and other special occasions.
We are most proud of our quality. Quality people, quality meat proteins, quality provisions, quality customer service, quality facility and quality relationships with our customers and neighbors are the hallmarks to our business thought process.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love Cowtown (where the West begins) because of the people who have embraced the concept of our specialty meat market! The relationship between our staff and customers is fun to watch and hear (some from Dallas). The eating experience options in Fort Worth are amazing and we all support each other.
What’s not to like in Fort Worth? We have Carswell AFB, Colonial, the Zoo, the Museums, Stockyards, Stock Show and Rodeo, Joe T’s, Sundance Square, The Original and The Meat Board.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6314 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, TX
- Website: www.themeatboard.com
- Phone: 8446936328
- Email: info@themeatboard.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themeatboard/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themeatboard/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/themeatboard
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-meat-board-fort-worth-2
Image Credit:
Julia Rauschuber
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