By Lynnette Hoffman
Wednesday, September 1, 2021 12:36 pm
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Winlock's local grocery store, IGA Cedar Village, has a new meat cutter and he is fitting right in. JJ Janisch has been in the meat cutting business in Lewis County for many years and now he has landed in our community. With his experience and personality, he is set to succeed and we will all benefit from his success.
Over the years, Cedar Village has been known for their great meats. JJ is here to make it even better known. JJ started many years ago in the business, he stated, "I started out in wholesale in Woodinville, Washington with Interbay Foods. I was around a ramrod production in a wholesale plant. I learned about meat cutting. I learned a lot. On the wholesale side, a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) inspector is there all the time. I was taught great hygiene with meat cutting. I also learned how to deal with people. I became a people person while on the job."
The big city was not for JJ though, he continued, "I left the wholesale business in Seattle, because I realized that I was not a city boy. I had to get out of the city and I took a job at Red Apple (now Market Fresh) in Toledo. I worked as the meat manager for 11 years in Toledo. I loved and thoroughly enjoyed the people. I miss the people, the people are what makes my job fun and rewarding."
After leaving Toledo, he went to Morton. JJ stated, "I went to the Thriftway in Morton, where I was also the meat manager. Morton is a beautiful area to work out of. Every 5 minutes the weather changed. The people in Morton are also very special. I worked in Morton for 8 ½ years, then Raleigh Stone, owner of IGA called."
The story of how he came to Winlock is great. "At first, I was just going to help Raleigh," he continued. "The next day I called and asked if the job was available. Raleigh and I sat and talked and I walked out with the job."
He has learned a lot since his time at IGA Cedar Village. JJ stated, "The first day on the job I learned how fun it was. It's a good combination of men and women. Everyone is willing to help each other. It's been enjoyable working with Raleigh, he always looks out for his employees and he works right by your side when help is needed."
JJ works with Geneva. "Geneva has been here quite a few years," he said. "I enjoy spending my days with her, she is all about the people." You can see that every time you walk in. Geneva can make you smile in a minute.
JJ mentions the hardest part about being a meat cutter. He continued, "The hard part is the industry standards have changed. Now the industry has pages and pages of rules, the rules have changed the way we do business. The prices have been increasing over the last year. When prices come down, I will follow and give the best quality on the choice meats we have. All of our meat is called choice meat." And it shows if you have ever purchased meat at IGA Cedar Village.
Raleigh Stone, owner of IGA Cedar Village is happy with his new meat cutter, he stated, "We are happy JJ has joined our team. He brought years of experience with him for our customers to enjoy. He is definitely a people person. JJ is an asset to our store and we look forward to many more years with him as our meat cutter."
JJ is married to Cheryl and they have two sons, Blake is in the Marines and Dalton attends Toledo High School. His hobbies are right in line with what he does, "I love to hunt and fish. I also enjoy football and cedar wood."
JJ has a fun personality, he is the kind of person who will make you smile if you are having a tough day. He is also more than willing to help you with their products and will tell you what they have. No doubt, JJ is the best meat cutter in the county, his personality and skills will show you!