I’m the only butcher shop around Jersey City now. Years ago, there were probably 50 stores, and now we’re the last one.
Across the river from the bustling, modern mecca of Manhattan, in the shadows of the financial district’s glassy new buildings, sits Moloney’s Meat Market. The family-owned business has been there since 1875, and is currently owned by Tom Moloney, the fourth generation from his family to hold the position. For 140 years, they’ve been serving up high quality choice cuts from their old-fashioned butcher shop, where meat is cut and prepared on the spot to meet the needs of the customer.
Tom Moloney started working at his family’s shop in 1967, when he was still in high school, before starting full time in 1971. While his father ran the front of the shop, Moloney learned the ropes in the back. “I wanted to learn everything about meat. I learned how to cut everything, and then I came up front when I knew what I was doing.”
Jersey City is a tight-knit community, and Moloney views his employees and customers as family. They’ve seen generations of families come through, and children who have grown up and had their own kids. “We’re the store that everybody knows,” says Moloney. There used to be other butchers in the area, but as larger chains moved in and started selling meat wholesale, it became difficult for the smaller businesses to compete.
Despite the challenge, Moloney’s Meat Market is holding on to the tradition of being an old fashioned butcher, one who customers know by name when they come in, and one who they can count on for quality service and cuts. While Tom Moloney doesn’t see himself retiring — “butchers don’t retire,” he says — he also doesn’t necessarily want his own sons to take over the business.
“It’s tough when you’re raising children because you’re working six days a week. But I’m a happy guy, I have fun with the customers. That’s probably why I like this business. We laugh all day here. We have fun.”
Photos by Christina Clusiau