High quality, chemical/ hormone-free proteins are now available in Sylvania

Steve Horst was concerned about the food his family was consuming. He was particularly frustrated with the meat he found in grocery stores. As the primary grocery shopper and cook for his wife and four children, he became increasingly aware of the drop in quality and the increase in prices for all foods, especially the proteins, which he could not keep in stock thanks to his always-hungry growing three sons.
After extensive research along with spending a good bit of quality learning time with a long-time meat butcher, he discovered several sources for chicken, beef, and pork throughout Ohio. He met the farmers and then those who processed the meats.
Horst decided to do more than find high-quality, hormone-and chemical-free meat for his family. He put his 20-plus years of business acumen into practice, creating his new company, My Protein Locker, first as an online enterprise and later ventured into a retail store. He and his 30-year friend, Jade Moores, recently relocated their original retail store in Perrysburg to Sylvania’s OakTree Center. “We first opened in a JA Morrin property in Perrysburg, but soon realized we needed a more retail-oriented location near residential areas. Alissa Morrin suggested this location, which we think is ideal, especially being close to Barry Bagels and the other high-traffic shops here,” Horst pointed out.
Customers can find hand-processed chickens raised without antibiotics from King’s Poultry Farm near Dayton; a full line of pork products including sausage and bacon from an Ohio farmer; grass-fed and grass-finished aged beef from the midwest. “All of our sources are fully inspected and USDA-approved” Horst pointed out. “We even have the Ohio version of Wagyu beef.”
In addition, the store offers beef jerky, bison products, ready-to-cook meatloaf, salmon and shrimp, chicken bone broth, and a few side dishes such as mac and cheese and potatoes au gratin. Customers can even purchase old-fashioned homemade pies, brownies, and cookies.
“All of our products are frozen and sealed in packaging of various sizes. We have all cuts of meat from half-pound smash burgers to full tenderloins and prime ribs,” Horst said. In addition, a variety of sauces and cooking accessories can be found in the store.
“Veterans are offered a 15 percent discount on anything in our store,” Moores added.
Horst and Moores are also avid woodworkers and built most of the shelving in the new store. They are also responsible for a line of Ohio-shaped cutting boards and a few other items made from wood that are for sale in the store.
“We do not compromise on quality. We refuse to cut corners and we continue to offer higher-end choices,” Horst promised. “Our motto ‘Connecting you to farm fresh meats,’ is one that we truly believe in.”