Mark’s Meats & More opens new shop in Millsboro

For seven years, Mark Hess and his wife, Pam, have processed deer for Cape Region hunters. With equipment idling over the summer months, the couple thought to expand their passion for making meats in Millsboro by opening a retail store on Hollyville Road.

In March, Mark’s Meats & More began offering pork, beef, sausages and snacks – all made in-house.

“We’re hoping with our deer-processing customer base that others will also come here to buy our other products,” said Pam.

From turkey jerky to liverwurst and bacon to scrapple, fresh meats line the display cabinets in the store attached to their meat-processing shop. The couple hopes to attract tourist traffic too, said Pam, since their shop is located between Routes 23 and 24.

Jalapeno-cheddar kielbasa, for $3.99 a pound, is fresh and can be served as a snack or heated up and served as a meal. Country and breakfast sausages and sweet and hot Italian sausage provide savory selections for meat lovers. Beef jerky and snack sticks are popular, she said.

Pam said with many Pennsylvania transplants in the area, the couple has taken requests for hard-to-find specialties from out of state.

Liverwurst and braunsweiger are available and so is souse, a pickled pig hock served in gelatin.

The turkey jerky is another big seller and, although not made in-house, customers can also find extra sharp and Cooper cheddar, Swiss and white American cheese all under one roof.

In 2009, Mark won an award from the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors for his redneck venison jerky.

Preparing for a busy summer season, the couple also has grilling packages. For $30, customers can choose from a choice of either rib-eye steaks, New York strip steaks or pork chops, combined with hot dogs, sausages and hamburger.

Steak, pork roasts and other meats are also sold a la carte.

Mark assures his many loyal deer customers that the couple will still process deer meat throughout the year. Local farmers need not worry either, as Mark’s Meats will still provide custom butchering.

For new customers, Mark’s Meats will serve barbecue pork and chicken from a portable roaster for parties and events. The custom barbecue service also includes a choice of potato and macaroni salads or cole slaw.

Customers also have the opportunity to try many snacks and meats before buying them, just ask Trudy Anters, who runs the store.

Mark’s Meats & More is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday; and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday with extended summer hours. Mark’s Meats & More is located at 24910 Hollyville Road in Millsboro.

For more information, call 302-933-0307.