THUNDER BAY — Bay Meats and Cav-Tal Foods have officially amalgamated to one retail location at 701 Norah Cres. in Thunder Bay.
Last year, Marten Falls First Nation and Bay Meats finalized the purchase of Cav-Tal, and on Thursday there was a grand opening to celebrate the day.
“We have the retail location up front, and in the back, we have the wholesale which enables us to distribute food up north and . . . we have lots of local vendors that we work with as well,” said Alex Siciliano, CEO of Cav-Tal Foods and Bay Meats.
Thursday's event was an introduction to the retail location.
“Today we also have a barbecue up front with a cash donation or a canned good donation you can get yourself (a) smokie or a hot dog and all the proceeds go to Grace Place.
“We have a couple of other vendors as well up front, so Pop's Kettle Corn is out front giving samples away, as well as we have our sparkling water that's there,” Siciliano said.
The storefront location on Bay Street is closed, he said.
“It closed last year, and now ... it's our production facility, so our smokehouse, That's where all of the fantastic Bay Meats products are produced,” Siciliano said.
He said it is always important to give back to the community.
“I mean, the community is who supports us and so it's great for us to in return support the community as well.”
It was fantastic seeing everything come together on Thursday, Siciliano said.
“It's a lot of hard work and a long time coming, and for everybody who's involved in the Bay Meats and Marten Falls and Cav-Tal, it sort of brings us all together today. Today is sort of our launching point,” he said.
