When Peter Black and Sons closed their Park Royal butcher shop in June 2013, a family tradition came to an end - or as the proprietor would say, new opportunities appeared.
Back when Peter's parents were making their living in Glasgow, every neighbourhood had its "butcher, baker and candlestick maker." His mother, Elizabeth McKenzie, worked in a bakery and Peter Black Sr. was employed by the Alex Munro butcher shops, the Scottish name belying Argentine ownership.
A master butcher, and a capable and congenial man, Peter Black the elder was a troubleshooter for the chain, working on displays in one shop, improving service in another.
During the war, the family was in Troon, a British naval station where ship crews survived on a staple, and monotonous, diet of block beef, enormous frozen hunks of Argentinian or Australian origin.
The navy appealed to Peter Black - "If we supply the beef, will you supply the sausages?" It was a partnership that helped the community of Troon as well since Peter could augment his customers' meagre meat rations - at no extra cost, his son adds, "That's the way my father was."
Four years after the birth of young Peter, the middle of three children and the eldest son, in 1944, the Black family immigrated to Canada - Vancouver to be precise.
Where did they get the courage? It did take courage for a pair of Scots with three children to leave home, hearth and all things familiar for an unknown future. The fact that post-war Britain's grim economy guaranteed Peter's father would never have his own shop was a likely factor in the decision. Although the question can never be answered, his son still wonders.
The new proprietor of the Kerrisdale Meat Market on West Boulevard and 41st Avenue learned to cut meat the Canadian way and taught his children to help in the shop, refreshing the sawdust on the floor, serving customers and learning the trade. Young Peter was a keen student.
He began his seven-year apprenticeship while still in high school and also found time to become a Queen's Scout.
For a few years after the family moved to Sunset Beach in West Vancouver in 1961, Peter and his father commuted daily to Kerrisdale, until one graduated and the other retired.
Soon after Peter completed his apprenticeship, opportunity struck in Ambleside. In earlier days, at Bean Around the World's present location, the site housed Al Kelly's, and then Charlie Gray's, Village Market. When Charlie Gray relocated, Peter took over the vacancy. Ambleside Meats was the start of his career as a butcher and businessman. His marriage to Helen Graham in 1967 and the birth of two sons (Jason Peter, and Adam) launched a new generation of Blacks. Naturally, everyone helped out in the shop.
On a break from butchering in the 1970s, Peter worked in publications distribution (while helping out at the butcher shop at Christmas and Easter) until a promotion and relocation to Toronto were offered. For the family, West Vancouver was home. For Peter, Ambleside's beautiful setting resembled his home town of Troon. As well, Peter, a charter member of the Ambleside Tiddlycove Lions Club, wanted to continue with the organization's work of supporting community healthcare.
He also wanted to return to the meat business and it happened that Peter was able to return to his original shop. In the early '80s, the business moved to Park Royal South where it expanded to include a sandwich shop, hot dog stand, delicatessen and the Global News magazine and newspaper outlet. Peter served three terms as president of the Park Royal Merchants' Association and was named citizen of the year in 2001-2002 by the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.
Peter and Helen are grandparents now but "retirement" and "end of an era" are not in their vocabulary.
She studies genealogy and Peter works out with the Fit Fellas at the West Vancouver Seniors' Activity Centre. Son Adam is a butcher.
Whatever the members of the Black family take on, it will reflect Peter's father's legacy: business acumen, congenial nature and pride in his profession.
In that sense, the Black family tradition will continue.
Laura Anderson works with and for seniors on the North Shore. 778-279-2275 [email protected]
