Inspiring Conversations with Ronnie Bedway of Ronnie’s Meats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Bedway. He and his team share their story with us below:

October 1967 – Ronnie’s Meats founded by Ronnie and Rosemary Bedway (my grandparents) after the Gratiot Central Market burnt down in 1966.  The business showcases 36 feet of pork, beef, and lamb 

1970s – The butcher shop builds a loyal following and gains traction within the Detroit community with an emphasis on affordability, service, and product expertise while expanding to over 60 feet of service counter

1980s – The business grows further through the popularity of its shish kabob as the team sells prepared foods at outdoor ethnic festivals throughout the Detroit and Hamtramck 

June 1995 – The Gratiot Central Market burnt down from an electrical fire, and the business moved to a temporary location at a former meat processing plant. 

Fall 1998 – Developers built and reopen the Gratiot Central Market on its original site. Ronnie’s Meats reopens under the new leadership of Tom Bedway (Ronnie’s dad), expanding to over 100 feet of service counter and adding complimentary groceries to its offerings 

2000s – Tom, the family, and the team reinforce Ronnie’s Meats standing in the Detroit community and business grows to record sales 

2013 – Tom and Ronnie purchase the Gratiot Central Market with outside investors in spring of 2013, betting on their hometown of Detroit despite the City’s bankruptcy to follow in July 2013 

March 2020 – Federal, state, and local governments temporarily shut down non-essential businesses to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. Ronnie’s Meats grows to records sales with the help of restaurant closures and meat shortages at larger national warehouse clubs and grocery chains 

Labor shortages became more pervasive during the pandemic, and the family primarily filled the void to keep the business moving forward.

Spring 2021 – Ronnie returned to the business full-time as an owner after studying at Hillsdale College and the University of Notre Dame and working in financial services for 10 years. 

Today – The business remains focused on honoring the legacy created by Ronnie and Rosemary (55 years in October 2022), seizing new business opportunities, and strategically positioning for the future. 

The primary strategic objective that will drive business into the future is an expanded social media presence to enhance online education and share the business’ story. Additionally, plans to add online sales complimenting the single brick-and-mortar presence are underway 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My grandparents, parents, aunts, siblings, cousins and countless team members over the years helped build our business from scratch by simply working harder to make up for any challenges that came our way.  Our continued emphasis on that foundational grit along with the loyalty of our multi-generational customer base allows us to continue what my grandparents started in 1967

Additionally, inflation particularly hit the food industry hard recently, and we continually work with our vendors to source quality products despite recent meat shortages. We aim to earn and maintain the trust of our clients by providing expert advice and trying to find ways to keep things affordable during these economically challenging times. 

Overall, we take a long-term view of our business and try to not let short term hurdles derail our vision for the future.  I ask myself the following questions continuously to challenge how we currently operate and make sure we are moving in the right direction: 

1) How do we stay relevant and continue to provide value to our customers for another 55 years? 

2) How do we attract the right talent to execute our operations and build our future vision? 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Ronnie’s Meats?
Ronnie’s Meats has carved its place in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market for generations, serving pork, beef, and lamb. We continue to focus on providing quality products at competitive prices to Detroiters while providing first class service and expertise.  Our business remains family-owned and operated since 1967, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you. 

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The City’s motto does a good job of encapsulating the sentiment of Detroit’s story:

“Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus” — “We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.” 

Detroit rose to worldwide prominence with the mass production of automobile but followed its meteoric ascent with its steady decline beginning in the late 1950s that lead to its bankruptcy. The City and its people continue to exhibit tremendous determination and fight despite the adversity. 

We try to take a positive take on the challenges facing the city. Solely focusing on the negative dismisses the progress made in recent years.  As an example, we look at the success of the City’s partnership with Eastern Market Corporation, a not-for-profit created to manage the produce sheds and other city infrastructure within the Eastern Market, as an example of finding a creative solution to improve the City. 

What role do we play in that process? We strive to operate a world-class butcher shop and take ownership of our city block.  Detroiters, the citizens and its businesses, will collectively define the City’s legacy and create its future.

Contact Info:

• Website: ronniesmeats.com
• Instagram: ronniesmeats_detroit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronniesmeats/
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/ronnies-meats-detroit

Image Credits
Daniel Evola
Amy Carnaghi