Heintzelman’s Meat Market Shutters Doors After Six Years of Service Following Smokehouse Fire

Heintzelman’s Meat Market, a beloved establishment in Mahoning Township, has permanently closed after facing unrelenting financial and logistical hurdles. The closure comes nearly a year after a smokehouse fire in December 2022 dealt a significant blow to the business.

Announcing the closure on Facebook, the owners expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must post that we have had no option but to close Heintzelman’s Meat Market. We will miss all of you so much; your families, your stories, and mostly your smiles.”

They cited mounting costs—ranging from taxes and bank fees to the spike in insurance premiums post-fire—as major challenges. The owners added, “Insurance companies do not always allow you to replace exactly what you had,” making full recovery an uphill battle.

The meat market, located at 124 Mahoning Drive E, had only recently reopened in April 2023 after repairs, following the December 2022 fire that caused moderate damage to the roof and the second floor. Although the main retail space was spared, the recovery proved difficult.

Mahoning Valley Fire Chief Mark Ebbert noted that the fire, deemed accidental, spread to the roof and storage areas but left the main store intact.

This wasn’t the first incident for the market. In July 2020, another fire originated in the smokehouse and spread to the back of the building. Both incidents, though contained without injury to workers or firefighters, added to the operational strain.

Heintzelman served the community for six years, and its closure marks the end of a cherished local business. The owners thanked their loyal customers for the support and memories shared, closing their message with appreciation for the community they served and loved.

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