Harry Ochs bolts Reading Terminal Market
The butcher, facing eviction, chooses to walk away.
Harry Ochs bolts Reading Terminal Market
Michael Klein, Philly.com
A century-old Reading Terminal Market merchant is no more.
Butcher Nick Ochs, facing eviction, has walked away from the Harry G. Ochs & Son stand, which his father took over 64 years ago.
Ochs has surfaced at Main Street Market in Manayunk.
After hours Monday, Ochs was seen at the Terminal removing the old butcher block, the store signage, and some personal effects from the stand. I hear that market management was unaware of his intentions, but a posting on the market's Facebook page early Tuesday made the point clearly:
Harry Ochs is so excited to announce our new venture in Manayunk!! We are located in the Main Street Market. The same quality prime meats and prepared foods that you love, and the same family service and knowledge for which we are famous! We now have the ability to expand our superior line to make your shopping even easier! Looking forward to seeing you in Manayunk! We love and appreciate our loyal customers!
Through his publicist, Ochs issued a statement: "After a great deal of deliberation over the past few months, Monday, May 2nd was the last day of operations for Harry Ochs Prime Meats at the Reading Terminal Market. I decided it was best to close our shop at Reading Terminal Market now, after 105 years, because of many of the personnel and policy changes at the market in the past few years.
"The Ochs Family, in particular my late father, have been steadfast in our support of the market, and spearheaded efforts to keep the market alive when many tried to close it down," Ochs said in the statement. "The past year or so has been difficult, but I am grateful to our many loyal customers and friends who have always supported our efforts. I will have exciting news soon about the future of our business, and I am hopeful that our loyal customers and our friends will share our enthusiasm for this next chapter in our family's business. Be sure to check our website for updates."
Reached Tuesday, Ochs told me: "It seemed like it wasn't working out with us. ... I wanted to leave on a positive note."
In court papers in February, the market alleged that Ochs owed $21,000 in rent and utilities plus attorney's costs.
Update: Paul Steinke, general manager of the market, said: "We're sorry to see them go. We'll long remember the Harry Ochs name. Despite many attempts to reach an agreement to satisfy Nick's financial obligation to the market, we were unable to resolve those issues. But we wish him and his family well."
Follow-up article is here.
- love the comment about Guinta!! ps they claim to sell organic but can't produce the license to prove it... also saw them buying at Costco!
— summrgrl - eat fresh va produce,go phightin phillies— tonytony
Comment removed.- your user name says it all!! get your facts straight!! — summrgrl
- RTM is now for the convention center crowd. Out-a towners aren't gonna buy a couple a steaks or a roastbeef.— manyhats
- Comment removed.
- The first commenter is beneath contempt. All I know is that there is now a quality butcher in Manayunk, which for Montco residents/workers is much more accessible. The quality seems amazing to me I don't know. Plus, I get to pick up that awesome baguette that the market sells.— Murrayman
Martin's is way better anyway.- if you like choice and not prime — summrgrl
- sorry but my business started going to martin's years ago after a bad experience with och's....let's just say the meat I bought was less than prime
- As someone who has worked in prime steakhouses I have never thought that the meat in Ochs case was prime grade. — sheldn
- I for one am very sad that Harry G Ochs is no longer at the Reading Terminal Market. The RTM will NEVER NEVER NEVER be the Same. . . It is going downhill fast.— Sirona1
- Good for him. let him leave the overpriced, dirty tourist trap. Just like the rest of the city. Manayunk may be in the city limites, but it has a much better vibe, better quality merchants, better prices, and better shoppers. Dont have to worry about getting mugged— intelliwoman
- Not only meat but I've been buying my Thanksgiving turkey from Ochs for as long as I can remember. Will have to make the trip to Manayunk now - hope the streets there are passable in middle November.
Have to wonder about the future of RTM and agree with those who believe it's geared to sucking up the Convention Center trade show people - the few that can afford the cost of the unions' tyranny and still exhibit there.— He Visto Todo - Lol, there is a waiting list to get into the market. Harry Ochs left because he couldn't pay his bills, not any other reason. There are dozens waiting in line to replace his spot, he is kicking himself for losing his stall. He had to make the best of it by moving to manayunk. Och's is ok, but if you want to maintain your spot at RTM you have to compete with the big boys.— Capsulef
