The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s investment arm, Noo-Kayet Investments (NKI), acquired Minder Meats, a locally owned, USDA-certified meat processor, distributor and retailer. Founded by the Minder family in 1943 and located in Bremerton, Minder Meats attracts customers from as far as the Olympic Peninsula up and down the Interstate-5 corridor, from Bellingham to Tacoma. For over 80 years, the business has served large and small restaurants, businesses, families and charities throughout the greater Puget Sound community.
Fishing and shellfish harvesting are central to the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s culture and identity. This acquisition enables the tribe to offer fish and seafood products direct to market through well-established retail and commercial distribution channels.
“Minder Meats is known for having the best quality meats in the region, and with our fishers and our ability to source local seafood, we will leverage and merge the two, bringing our customers the best of both worlds — the best meats and the best fish, all under one roof,” said Eric Croft, CEO of NKI. “And, with our internal resources, from culinary to operations, we will capture operational efficiencies that will transform the customer-guest experience.”
NKI plans to focus on existing relationships with customers and improve the retail experience.
“Minder Meats is a perfect fit and the perfect opportunity, and if you have been in the store, you know what I mean,” said Kyle Blatchley, director of culinary at NKI. “When we are done improving the space, you will see yesteryear butcher block counters, black-and-white tile flooring, clean lighting and new signs — all things that will add a true pulse and drive people to the store.
Minder Meats will be much more than a place to go pick up your annual turkey — the place to stop on your way home to buy the freshest seafood and meat and get tips on how to make the perfect barbecue from one of our experts in the store.”
Longtime Minder Meats owner Jim Carlson, who remains in a full-time advisory position, had this to say, “I could not be more excited about this union, NKI and this tribe. The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe are the perfect fit for Minder Meats, and they will take Minder Meats to places I hoped to take the company for so many years.”
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