The Meating Place has been in business for over 40 years. From 1974–1998 owner Steve Crossley, a second-generation butcher, and his staff were known for their jerky, sausage, smoked salmon and wild game processing at their NW 185th location. As a sophomore in high school, Casey Miller was hired on at The Meating Place and learned the meat trade, under Steve’s knowledgeable guidance. Steve and Casey’s relationship began as employer/employee, but quickly grew into a father/son bond, one that is still strong today.
After the original location of The Meating Place closed in 1998, Casey continued his path in the meat business, honing his knowledge of all things meat, as well as building his skill set of business management and team building.
In 2011, Casey reopened The Meating Place as a small custom shop, open only a few months a year, processing wild game for hunters. Two years later, the full-service butcher shop was opened, quickly followed by the opening of the café. During these early years, several imperative employees came on board:
- Andrew Turner joined our team as a conscientious mobile slaughterer in 2013. In 2022, Andrew leased farmland in Forest Grove and started raising his own herd under his “Top Valley” brand, designing a stringent feeding process to help grow the best beef possible. This beef is now sold under the brand “Meating Right” at The Meating Place.
- Marena Gray began working for The Meating Place in 2014. With her sharp knife skills and managerial skill set, Marena has run the custom shop at The Meating Place since 2021.
- Sarah Kendrick-Kelly joined the team in 2013 and has designed and built our office systems, so we are as efficient as possible.
- Casey’s wife, Annie, left her teaching job Hillsboro School District in 2013 and joined The Meating Place, working behind the computer screens.
- Clyde Fulkerson has led The Meating Place Cafe with his management skills and direction since 2021.
The Meating Place now employs 60, offering healthcare and retirement, so that employees earn a true living-wage. Casey has successfully created a highly-demanding and highly-rewarding work environment that prides itself on providing the highest quality meat and excellent customer service.