A family-run butcher shop and small slaughter facility in northeastern Pennsylvania has been devastated by fire, just days after receiving a state grant for expansion.
Leraysville Meat and Cheese, located 50 miles northwest of Scranton, went up in flames on February 8, according to reports from The Daily Review. The Leraysville Fire Company, with support from at least five surrounding fire departments, responded to the scene. A message on the business’ website confirmed the loss:
“Due to a catastrophic structure fire, we are temporarily closed.”
Total Loss for Family Business
Leraysville Meat and Cheese specialized in custom butchering for beef, pork, and lamb, along with deer and elk processing during hunting season. In a Facebook update, the owners thanked first responders but revealed that the fire left them with no business records or customer contacts.
The tragedy came shortly after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture awarded the shop a $78,878 grant on January 30 as part of the 2025 Very Small Meat and Poultry Processor Reimbursement Program. The funding was intended to help expand operations, improve food safety compliance, and upgrade equipment.
Future Plans Turned Uncertain
Before the fire, owner John Mast had detailed his plans for expansion, including federal inspection upgrades to meet HACCP standards, purchasing new meat processing equipment, and focusing solely on beef processing. Mast and his wife were the business’s only employees but had planned to hire up to five people and rebrand as LeRaysville Meat Processing.
Now, with the facility destroyed, the family faces an uncertain road ahead.
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