Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Bohrer.
Hi Kyle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I have been an owner/operator of a franchise group of Unishippers for 15 years. In 2018, I sold a portion of it off and had the opportunity to sell all of it, but I needed to have something to land back on as phase 2 of my career. Gordon’s Quality Meat Market was the neighborhood butcher shop and always a favorite. It was for sale and was badly in need of a facelift and investment.
I purchased Gordon’s with my partner Jonathan Markley and the transformation began. We purchased the Hillsdale Plaza across the street, paired up with Martin Firestone and Ryan Paris, and created a destination centered around experiencing food and drink with friends. Paris’s Cap & Cork offers the area’s best selection of craft beer and wines.
Firestones feature wood-fired steaks, sandwiches, pizzas, and daily specials that challenge your taste buds. Gordons Butcher & Market brings the freshest and highest quality meats, seafood, poultry, and other local favorites. I have a wonderful wife, Allison, and 3 awesome kids (Ella, Everett, and Will).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
COVID struck 5 months into the ownership of Gordons posing some incredible challenges. We had to be creative with how we accepted orders in the store, pivoting to curbside pickup and creating a website quickly.
Working with and helping the staff feel safe and comfortable while continuing to work as an essential employee was certainly challenging. Lastly, opening a restaurant DURING COVID people would say was probably the most insane thing we’ve ever done but it worked out.
We’ve been impressed with Unishippers/Gordons Butcher & Market, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I would say in both of the businesses I operate I focus very hard on empowering people and working together as a team. It is much easier to scale and become the best at your craft if you allow individuals to grow within the organization. I was not a logistics professional nor a meat cutter when I started either of the businesses. But, I always work very hard at bringing the best together and empowering them toward a common goal.
Unishippers is the largest privately held 3PL in North America offering parcel shipping with UPS and LTL options with 40+ carriers.
Gordons Butcher & Market/Firestones/Paris’s Cap & Cork offer a boutique market/dining experience where everything centers around freshness and quality.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Never be stagnant. Always be prepared and willing to adapt to what you’re being offered. Give your team the freedom and motivation to grow and create ideas.
Contact Info:
- Website: gordonsmarket.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordonsmeatmarket/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gordonsmarket
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GordonsButcherMarket
- Other: Unishippers.com
