…And even better than before.
Alberta Commons is smoking. Smoking meats, that is.
Theotis Cason cannot be kept down. After closing his Kenton meat market 2 years ago, he has just opened with a bigger shop, fresh hot foods with expanded offerings, and meats from local farms. Bulk orders and exotic meats are expected to come in in a month. “It’s a newborn baby, still crawling,” Cason said with a grin.
He’s loving the space and the ability to offer his customers a great experience and even more delicious hot foods, including pork ribs and fried fish or chicken baskets and sandwiches.
“People respect me and love what I’m doing because I’ve been doing it so long.” Mr. Cason isn’t kidding. He’s been in the business since 1974, with 15 years at Fred Meyer and 12 at Safeway and Century combined before opening up his own store in North Portland. But he really got his start unofficially, working as a youth working at a mom and pop shop, with a meat shop in the back.
Cason’s Fine Meats re-opened on June 22 in Alberta Commons, at the corner of NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. and NE Alberta. It was a bittersweet week: as Cason’s oldest brother, Charles, had died just 5 days earlier.
He credits friends, family and community for helping get this new store up and running, and getting to work with people he knows is a big part of why he loves what he does. “Community is showing me my roses right now, while I’m alive.”
What you can find:
- Pork, chicken, beef and sausages from Carlton Farms, Cedar River Farms, Zenner
- Smoked meats
- Specialty items: pig ears and tails, lamb, veal, goat (soon), and buffalo will be available by special order
- Meat packs: available for pre-order (soon by website)
- Coming soon: exotic meats freezer
Other business at Alberta Commons include Natural Grocer, Champions Barber Shop, OpenHaus Co-Working and Greenhaus Gallery & Boutique.
Hours: 10am – 7pm, 6 days a week. Closed Tuesdays.
Cason’s Fine Meats
5015 NE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Portland OR 97211
503-287-0855
