G.M. Moslem Meat Market closes after 48 years of service

MARKING the end of an era for many longtime customers, the family-owned G.M. Moslem Meat Market in Observatory closed its doors at the end of June, after more than 48 years of serving the community.

- WESLEY FORD

The butchery was founded in 1977 by Gaironesha and Mohammad Moosa when it first opened at 313 Main Road, Observatory.

Their initials were used to create the name G.M. Butcher.

Reflecting on the butchery's early days, Gaironesha recalled the challenges they faced in obtaining a trading permit, as during the apartheid era, they were not allowed to trade in Observatory as it was an area with a large white demographic.

She said a government official they knew at the time assisted them in securing the permit, allowing them to open the shop in late 1977.

One of their biggest selling points when they opened was their "special hot polony" that Mohammad made himself.

During that time, there were many factories close by whose employees would become regular customers at the butchery.

“People would come from far away to buy this special hot polony,’ Gaironesha said.