For our one year anniversary at LeytonLove not only have we just recently launched our website (can I get a whoop whoop?), every month we will be championing a local business owner with a quick Q&A to inspire you to check them out and maybe make a purchase or two.
The first ever post we did on LeytonLove was for MeatLove, based on the High Road, they have become our favourite butcher in the hood. Dritan has kindly offered to answer a few questions for us…
LeytonLove: Hi Dritan, how are you?
Dritain: Hello LeytonLove! I’m good thank you. Thanks for having me on here, or as we say in Albania, Faleminderit.
LL: Where are you from originally?
D: I was born and raised in a small beautiful village north west of Albania, I come from a family of 7, me being the youngest. My father was a proud farmer and my mother would help him from time to time. I grew up in a Communist society, meaning money wasn’t something we took for granted. I was happy living the way I was back home as a young boy. However I moved to the UK for a better life.
LL: Why did you pick Leyton to have your shop?
D: Working with animals was a thing I was brought up around, as mentioned before my father was a farmer. Before I opened MeatLove, I was a master butcher in a meat factory. My wife at the time helped me in terms of finding a good place to set up the shop. We wanted a site which was affordable and in a lovely area. I saw how much impact my father had on the locals, I wanted to do something very similar, provide good meat for locals, get peoples breakfast, lunch and dinners ready. My philosophy is ‘only buy as much as you need, eat well and consciously.’ Everything you need should be in walking distance so people can choose fresh weekly food over freezing items. Leyton was introduced to me by a friend and as soon as I visited it I fell in love. I took over a site that used to be a halal butchers and immediately put my own mark and philosophy into the shop, transforming it into MeatLove Butcher. It took time, effort and money but the journey has been worth it.
LL: What’s your favourite thing about Leyton?
D: The people and the community! Leyton is full of so many beautiful and lovely people from all kinds of backgrounds. You can imagine with MeatLove I meet so many fascinating people popping in from the High Road. The area is changing a lot and gentrification is also a part of it and still Leyton has this special vibe. The support the community has given my shop has been amazing. When I opened the shop it was hard and I struggled, but once word got out we have been overwhelmed by the support, take this Christmas as an example, people were queuing up to two hours to get in! Thank you to all of you who were so patient queuing.
LL:Your shop has been my saviour in lockdown, we are always there! Do you have any local regulars now?
D: My regulars saved me during Covid times. My customers brought home their bacon and helped me take home the bacon too ha ha. I am really proud to have so many regulars.
LL: What’s your goal for the future of your business?
D: I am a creative and open minded man. I could imagine opening a second shop but first I want to develop this shop further. I’m so excited that we have introduced low intervention, natural wines and beers into the shop. We are already so unique, do you know any other butcher who sprinkles your steak with salts and herbs with so much love and care? For the future, I’d love to focus on organic and vegan products and offer good quality homemade food such as breads, sandwiches and baguettes. I’m also thinking about selling takeaway coffee! I can also imagine DJ nights and pop-up parties at MeatLove, let’s see what happens after lockdown.
LL: We know you sell local legend Willy’s Pies in the shop, you supported Will when he started out. What’s your favourite pie flavour?
D: All his pies are amazing but the chicken pie would be my favourite. We actually supply Will with our best herb fed free range chicken for his chicken pies
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