Local butcher sees spike in turkey sales as American expats plan Thanksgiving dinners away from home
They may not live in the US, but that doesn’t mean thousands of American expats who call Vancouver home aren’t planning their Thanksgiving dinners.
Zul Suleman, owner of Kitsilano’s Market Meats, says he’s seen a significant spike in turkey sales as people celebrate the popular holiday and plan their festive meals with friends and family
“We’ll easily sell over 300 turkeys between early November and American Thanksgiving,” says Suleman. “We even see many Canadians getting in the spirit and planning dinners of their own.”Suleman opened his West 4th Avenue location 11 years ago and says the number of expats ordering their Thanksgiving turkeys has been growing each year. He and hs staff now prepare weeks in advance for the American holiday and next to Christmas and Canadian Thanksgiving, he considers it one of the busiest few weeks of the year.
“We love helping people celebrate the American holiday by supplying them with a fabulous turkey for their dinner. It’s nice that people can continue to enjoy their traditions with the their family and friends.”
And once Suleman’s American customers are finished their Thanksgiving dinners, they’re encouraged to head to West 4th Avenue to take in the street’s very own ‘Black Friday’ sales. From Friday, November 23rd untill Sunday November 25th, retailers in the popular Kitsilano shopping district will be taking on cross-border shoppers by offering amazing deals and discounts.
“Keeping US-destined dollars here in Vancouver is great for local retailers and enjoyable for consumers,” says Russ Davies, Executive Director of the Kitsilano 4th Avenue Business Improvement Association. “Instead of spending a weekend dealing with long lineups at the border, people can experience the fantastic stores West 4th has to offer and enjoy saving money at the same time.
Many Canadian big box and department stores this side of the border have been competing with the US shopping event over the years, but this year will mark West 4th Avenue’s first Black Friday and will make it the only business street in BC to take on the challenge.
About Market Meats:
Owner Zul Suleman has been in the meat business for over thirty years. He has brought his passion and experience to Kitsilano for over ten years. Giving the client a memorable shopping experience is what they are all about. Bringing to the shop new and exciting gourmet food trends from around the world which complement our vast selection of specialty meat cuts is especially exciting.
For more information, visit www.marketmeats.com
