WEIMAR TRADITIONS - KASPER’S MEAT MARKET

from Weimar, Texas

by tripspublications

DOWNTOWN TREASURE - GATHERED GOODS

WEIMAR’S TRADITIONS

A “UNIQUELY TEXAS” MEAT MARKET

Kasper’s Meat Market

KEEPING THE TRADITION ALL IN THE FAMILY FOR THREE GENERATIONS

BY MICHELLE BANSE STOKES, PHOTOS BY EMILY HENDERSON

Weimar is pretty much synonymous with smoked sausage thanks to Kasper’s Meat Market. Known far and wide for their signature recipe, customers are known to drive for hours just to load up their coolers with several links and a few packages of fresh meat. Their orders, carefully wrapped in classic butcher paper, are as unique as the experience itself.

There aren’t many places left that are anything like Kasper’s. Their old screen door welcomes customers in to reveal a bygone era. Once inside, people discover it’s more than just the smoked sausage, bacon and fresh meat that makes the market so special. It’s the small-town conversations, laughter and sense of family that have kept customers standing in line for over three generations.

A brother-and-sister team, Maurice Kasper and Jean Kasper Blaha are currently at the helm of their family business. It was difficult to get these busybodies to sit for a spell, but I eventually twisted their arm to talk with me for a bit about the origins of their historic meat market.

“Our grandpa’s half-brother started it all in 1917,” Maurice said. “After Dad came back from the Korean War, Grandpa needed him to work here. So, he stayed in Weimar and worked in the meat market for 72 years. We just wanted to keep the tradition going.”

And although Kasper’s Meat Market has been in the same spot since my own childhood, it turns out that their current location wasn’t always a meat market. “This used to be an old grocery store,” Maurice said. “My dad bought it back in the late 60s. They tore the wall out when we bought the barber shop next door … that’s where we make the sausage. The rest is history! We’re going on 105 years this coming October.”

Growing up with his family business, Maurice was certain from the get-go that this was what he was cut out to do. It’s easy for him to explain what motivated him to stay with the meat market for so many years.

“Watching my dad do it,’ Maurice said. “I do this because of the love for my dad and my grandpa. I worked with my dad here for 52 years. We were like two peas in a pod.”

“Dad worked hard,” Jean added. “When he got cancer, and he was getting very weak, I told him, ‘Daddy, it’s time to go home.’ He told me that he was sure we could make it at the market on our own. I’ve been here since I was 21 years old. I always wanted to be a nurse or something in the medical field but I did this for Daddy. This meat market was simply part of our lifestyle.”

Above, brotherand-sister team, Maurice Kasper and Jean Kasper Blaha of Kasper’s Meat Market in Weimar.

WEIMAR’S TRADITIONS

And with both Maurice and Jean spending more and more time with grandchildren and family trips, the fate of Kasper’s Meat Market is left hanging in the balance. Customers often wonder if there will be a new generation of Kaspers to take over the iconic market.

“Unfortunately, no,” Maurice said. “After the third generation in any business in America, 98 percent of those businesses sell out or close up. We are the third generation and we don’t have a fourth generation that wants it. So, time will tell.”

Still, Maurice and Jean aren’t throwing in the towel right now. In fact, they plan to keep doing things in the same style that their family started generations ago.

“We take care of people,” Jean added. “Good times and bad. We have employees that have been here awhile and really great customers. It’s a loyal community and they become friends. My Dad was a special man and that’s why we’re keeping it going. I know he’s watching over us and wouldn’t want us to quit. We are here to serve people like we always have and appreciate all of our customers.”

Before I left, I asked Maurice to tell one of his dad’s jokes, something the late Mr. Johnnie Kasper had been known for in these parts during his life.

“My dad was on his deathbed and the preacher came in,” Maurice said. “It was one o’clock in the morning when he came in to give him his Last Rites. Dad said, ‘I have a joke for you.’ Dad continued and told him about these three mice that died and went to heaven. At the pearly gates, St. Peter asked them what one wish they wanted and said it could be anything at all. The mice stated that they wanted roller skates because they’d spent their lives on Earth running from a tomcat. St. Peter granted their request. A few days later, the tomcat died and went to heaven. In a similar fashion, St. Peter asked the tomcat what wish he wanted. That old tomcat told him that after chasing three mice his whole life, he wanted to sit back, do nothing and have his food come to him. After about a week, St. Peter asked the tomcat how he was liking Heaven. The tomcat exclaimed that it was the best week he’d ever had and he was really enjoying his ‘meals on wheels.’

Kasper’s Meat Market is located at 119 East Post Office Street in downtown Weimar.

Above, a family photo of the late Mr. Johnnie Kasper; middle, the iconic downtown market; left, Maurice checks on a batch of their famous smoked sausage.