Editor’s note: This is one story in a series about local businesses in the City of Fairborn. This feature puts a face to the names of those that have been part of the community for many years – some of those best-kept secrets.
FAIRBORN – Justin Paulus is one of four brothers who owns and runs the Paulus Butcher Shop and Country Store, located on Broad Street in Fairborn.
They initially decided to start a landscaping business about five years ago, then expanded the business by adding a butcher shop and country store, which has been in operation for more than two years.
The shop owners dad fought in the Vietnam War, and later worked commissary at the base. Meanwhile, their mom worked in Fairborn schools, where all four brothers graduated. After growing up in the area, they thought “why not?” Steve Paulus is the only son who still lives in Fairborn, but the other three brothers live only minutes away from the shop.
Co-owner Ray Paulus handles most of the meat purchasing from local farmers. They hand-cut every piece, and only sell choice grade meat, including products that are natural and healthy with no antibiotics. They want customers to enjoy meat that is good and fresh.
“It’s a higher quality meat than typically what you get at chain grocery stores,” Justin Paulus said. “We don’t put anything in the meat to make it look redder, ours is all natural.”
The shop offers vegetables, fruits, dairy, milk, eggs and butter, and they are supplied with some products by Young’s Dairy, Boones Bakery, Stevens family bakery and Walnut Creek Amish Country. They take special orders during holiday season, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
If customers desire a ham loaf, meat loaf, and/or meat or cheese tray for family events, they can fill your order. The business owners would like to expand their line of fresh baked goods within the shop, as they believe it would be a great addition for the customers.
They support many local charities and events, as they firmly believe its important to give back and help others, including local soccer teams, school bands, fairs, as well as 4-H and other farm events.
The business has a total of seven employees who work at the butcher and landscape shop. The four brothers have children, and understand the importance of family values. Their children aren’t old enough to work at the shop yet, but they hope when the kids grow older they will want to continue the family business.
The shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. That includes their garden shop, which sells seasonal flowers, vegetable plants, garden seeds, mulch, seasonal mums, pumpkins, gourds and live Christmas trees.
Paulus Butcher Shop allows locals to answer the old question, “Where’s the beef?” – with a simple answer right here in Fairborn.
