A WELL-established Waikerie-based butcher has broadened his horizons due to popular demand and opened a second store in the heart of Barmera.
Rollbusch Quality Meats owner and butcher Nigel Rollbusch – who is known as the Riverland’s ‘sausage king’ – opened a second store at 15 Barwell Avenue, Barmera, on Monday.
Mr Rollbusch, who opened the Waikerie store four years ago, said he had many Barmera and Kingston-On-Murray customers travelling for his goods.
“The Waikerie store has been extremely successful since it opened and we’ve had people visit from all over the Riverland – many from Barmera,” he said.
“When I heard Carter Quality Meats in Barmera was closing earlier this year, I rang the owner straight away to see what he was doing with the store and the equipment.
“I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to open another store in a shop that was spacious and already had majority of the equipment I need.
“Word of the town was that locals were keen to see me open a store here because they know the quality of our meat – everything here is local and killed locally.”
Mr Rollbusch said he brought some staff over from Waikerie to help in the store but also employed new people.
“I employed three new staff members for the Barmera store and two are Barmera-based, which is a huge help,” he said.
“I’ll also be looking for a new apprentice soon because as the shop grows, my staff will grow.
“Barmera is a great town and tourism here is huge – the caravan park on the lake is always booked out.
“My head is so spinning because this has all happened within six months, but I’m really excited.”
Mr Rollbusch said the Barmera store will slightly differ from the Waikerie one.
“Carter had a sausage called the ‘Barmera Banger’ so we want to bring that to the store so people don’t miss it,” he said.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to make and sell smallgoods but in Waikerie I don’t have the space.
“The Barmera store has a great processing area and plenty of room at the back so hopefully once everything is settled, I can give it a go.
“So far the store has been flat-out and although I will be based at the Waikerie store, I will pop by regularly to say hi and help out.”
Mr Rollbusch held a sausage sizzle at the front of the Barmera store on Monday for his opening and all funds went towards Barmera Aged Care.