Local butcher still makes the cut after 55 years
FIFTY-FIVE years of business is quite an achievement for any venture, but for the humble butcher shop it is particularly inspiring.
One of Cairns’ most wellknown butchers, Byrnes Meats, is celebrating its 55-year anniversary this year.
The remarkable business milestone is a testament to the quality produce and high level of service that the Byrnes family has provided Far North Queensland with for more than half a century.
Byrnes Meats all started when D’Arcy and his wife Raylee came to own their first butcher’s shop in the early 1960s, soon after the pair had gotten married.
“Raylee was a teacher and I was a carpenter,” says D’Arcy.
“I was building the Graham Hotel in Mareeba. Unfortunately, the building trade took a downturn when it was finished and I had no more work.”
Never one to dilly-dally, it wasn’t long before D’Arcy sought out more work and bought a milk run at Mareeba.
“Our son, Victor, was born in 1961 and our daughter, Darcia, in 1962,” D’Arcy says.
“In those days milk deliveries were made at night and you slept during the day – not easy with two babies.”
To make things easier for the family, D’Arcy proposed a ‘business swap’ to his cousin, who owned a butcher’s shop.
His cousin accepted and D’Arcy handed over his milk run in exchange for the butcher shop, which was located at Atherton.
“Deciding I needed a slaughter yard, I bought the one The construction of Byrnes Quality Meats on Mayers Street. The building remains a wholesale/retail facility for the business today. Mayers St, Manunda and began to build the business’ present factory with his own hands.
“My building experience was invaluable,” he says.
The Byrnes family then opened a string of small butcher shops across Cairns, including at Smithfield, Holloways Beach, Earlville Shopping Centre and Cairns Central.
“In the early ‘90s we bought Tancreds at Portsmith, which we continue to run,” D’Arcy says.