Homesteader Meats Closes Unexpectedly

By Michelle Cyr-Whiting

The now-closed Homesteader Meats in the Parkhill Centre

Prince George, B.C. -  A mainstay in the local business community has closed its doors...

Customers arriving at Homesteader Meats in the Parkhill Centre on Thursday found the glass windows and door covered in brown wax meat wrapping paper and a small 'Closed' sign on the door.

Ben Klassen started the business with his wife 27-years ago.  Two years ago, he sold it to Al and Jodie Dubois of Fort St. James.  Yesterday, he had the unenviable task of helping to dismantle what had been a labour of love.

Klassen says that he is working on behalf of a bank to look after the inventory remaining in the shop.  He says, at this point, "The bank is in charge."  He's been asked not to disclose the name of the financial institution.

Klassen says a few phone calls have been made to customers who had pre-ordered shipments of meat.  He says he's helping to fulfill the orders that have arrived.  But he cannot comment on any outstanding gift certificates that people may be left holding.

Klassen appeared to be holding back tears several times during the brief interview, he would not comment on the current owners' staffing situation, but did say there were always 11 or 12 employed when he and his wife ran the business.

Klassen emphasized he is in no way involved in this recent turn of events and says it's quite something that it's gone.

He says he had "a great many loyal customers over the years and made many, many friends."

Efforts to contact the Dubois' were unsuccessful.

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