[image-1]Fans of the West Side butcher shop The Sausage Shoppe, which originally opened in 1938, learned yesterday that the store and smokehouse would be closing for good this spring. Owners Norm and Carol Heinle announced the sad news on Facebook with the following message:
"Norm and Carol and all of the Heinle Family want to THANK YOU for being our customer during the last 80 years. As 2017 comes to a close, we will start a 3-month closure. Saturday, March 31st will be our last day of business. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. We will miss you."
The Old Brooklyn shop opened on March 3, 1938 as Kirchberger Sausage under the ownership of Hans Kirchberger and Theo Johanni, immigrants from Bavaria, Germany. The original location was at 4425 Memphis Avenue, but was relocated to its current location in 1962.
The popular source of various flavors of bratwurst, kielbasa, beef jerky, cottage hams, hickory-smoked bacon and coldcuts was featured in numerous print and television spots, including Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations" on The Travel Channel.
At the tender age of 13, Norm started working for Hans, doing small jobs like mowing the grass and doing dishes. Over the years, he mastered the art of sausage-making himself. He officially took over the business in 1974. They changed the name to The Sausage Shoppe in 1979.
If you have not yet visited this Cleveland culinary treasure, do so before it's too late.
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