4 F A L L 2 0 2 5 BUSINESS spotlight Although Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor opened in 2013, the Starr family had been working on making this dream a reality many years before then. First, the Steak & Chop Shop “It all started with my parents, Carl and Dawn Starr, when they owned and operated the Steak & Chop Shop in Carlinville on West Main Street. My brothers, Bryan and Nathan, and I have so many great memories of it—smelling the aromas rolling off the smoker, peering through the spotless glass of a full-service meat case and deciding which piece would be dinner that night. There’s something different about picking out your fresh cut of meat and having it wrapped in butcher paper, compared to meat that’s mass produced and factory packed,” Starr said. He added, “Carl, Bryan, Nathan, and I wanted to open another meat market with that same nostalgic hometown feeling where personalization meets quality. I believe the experience at our store today is like the old Steak & Chop Shop. We have a different name and location, but the quality and comradery remain.” What You Need for Memorable Meals Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor is located at 116 South Plum Street, Suite 1, in Carlinville. The store sells USDA Prime 1855 Black Angus Beef for unparalleled flavor, tenderness, and juiciness. Also available is a huge selection of premium pork, poultry, and fresh seafood as well as sauces, marinades, and seasonings. In addition, shoppers can pick up dairy, bread, snacks, and deli items, and lunch is served weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the beverage category, there’s an impressive array of craft beer, liquor, and wine. Starr noted, “We do a good portion of our business through our handy drive-through. People either call in ahead of time and place their order or pull up and order at the window.” Owner Ryan Starr described Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor this way: “It’s a place where you create a bond or even a friendship discussing your favorite cuts, how you cook them, and maybe which recent find is your new favorite liquor, wine, or beer. It’s also a place that isn’t corporate America.” Starr’s Primal Meats & Package Liquor Family, food, and friendships are essential to this success story
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