WAIMEA, HAWAII — On Dec. 23, Waimea Butcher Shop and Parker Ranch Inc. entered a strategic partnership, in which Parker Ranch will become an equity owner and a strategic capital partner for the butcher shop business. The deal is expected to close in early 2023.

Founder Mills Stovall will continue as manager and majority owner of Waimea Butcher Shop’s daily operations.

“We want to provide market access to ranches who meet our specifications for quality and consistency,” Stovall said. “It is our goal to offer fresh beef 52 weeks a year, so we need steady supply from ranches who have demonstrated the capability to manage the resources responsibly and who continuously produce high quality product year-round. Parker Ranch is an ideal partner to ensure year-round supply and who supports the open architecture strategy of offering beef from many different producers, ensuring harmony by balancing the ranching community’s interests through open access.”

Waimea Butcher Shop and Parker Ranch share a vision to support the local agriculture ecosystem and sustainability. Mills envisions a sustainable, locally sourced business that only offers products from the Big Island of Hawaii.

Through the new partnership, Waimea Butcher Shop will continue to source beef from different ranches based on the principle of “open architecture” to help ranches develop their brands and obtain access to retail customers.

“Mills meets our definition of an entrepreneur who is willing to take on the risks of starting a new business venture and who possesses the same values,” said Dutch Kuyper, president and chief executive officer of Parker Ranch. “He is passionate about his business, which he started seven years ago, and his customers who love his products and service. He has assembled a strong team of competent professionals who know their business and are obsessed with sourcing high quality local products. 

“We are excited about the prospects of working with Mills and look forward to helping support his business. We fully expect that products from several ranches will continue to be offered and we hope to help ensure year-round availability of local beef.”