Cates Family Meat Company almost started on Court Square in Hernando, Mississippi back in 1978. It was between that location and the one on Brooks Road and Elvis Presley Blvd. in Whitehaven, a popular area of Memphis. Whitehaven was one of the newest parts of Memphis and a great place for Shopping, Dining and Entertainment.  But now with so many loyal customers relocated East Shelby County and North Mississippi the family  decided it was time to move to Goodman Road. Now back in the heart of the new growth and be centrally located for everyone..

Moving a landmark wasn't an easy choice after 31 years.

The History of Cates Family Meat Company

Do You remember the Big red Bull?

Many of our customers still talk about him and ask why we did not bring him....

If you notice he is  now looking in the direction of the Mississippi River instead of towards Graceland.  During Hurricane Elvis he took flight and landed in the parking lot below, saved only  by the rope tied to his feet. He broke his right horn, so we decided to turn him around to see the if the grass was really greener on the other side. He said he liked it up there and that  he wanted to retire in Memphis. He was now a city cow.

SEE OUR OLD COMMERCIAL.  REMEMBER WE HAVE MOVED

AND CATES IS ONLY IN OLIVE BRANCH MISSISSIPPI

Founded in 1978, Cates Family Meat Company purchased the old Abernathy's Meat Market which was opened on the same site in the late 1950's. The store was purchased by Terrel Cates a lifetime grocer with the help of his father  Dalebert Cates of Chicago. It only took a short time for the customers to figure out the advantages of getting thier meat from a local butcher instead of a large supermarket. As the years went on the store grew, not only with a larger customer base but in actual size. What once was a small store front had grown to expand enough to take over  most of the block. A loyal following was growing with customers all the way from Harbortown,  Germantown, Colllierville, Arkansas and North Mississippi. One new thing that was added in the late 70's was the addition of Area Bar B Que Cooking competitions like Memphis in May and later Springfest. Mr. Cates served as one of the founding fathers of some of these local events, way before the custom cooking trailors of Today. The cooked in a store bought grill from the hardware store. He competed and won many of the cook offs that he entered as proven by his huge collection of Tropheys. Now the Cates Family is one of the most trusted suppliers to other national championship teams. "We have a room full of trophies from area BBQ cookoffs and now choose to pass along our recipes and cooking tips to new BBQ winners rather than compete against them." The Cates Family has an extensive background in Fresh Meat production with a unique approach to Quality and over the top  Customer Service. At the store you will find true Customer Service that seems to be forgotten at the bigger chains. You are greeted at the door with a current sale paper and a clean basket. You can place a custom order with the butcher that will be filled while you shop around the store for that certain item to complete your dinner for the family. Maybe a fresh salad or a homemade casserole. If you are in a hurry, just phone ahead and your order is waiting on you at the door. If you need 1 porterhouse 2 inches  a case of St. Louis cut Ribs, it's no problem. We even carry out your groceries and  wave when you leave. Cates has been the place to let our family serve yours for 30 years. We have supplied the dinner tables of Memphis Most Famous and furnished our great food all the way from California to Our nation's Capital. Cates moved the  store from Memphis in September 08 and Moved the Cates Family business to our Home State of Mississippi, just below the State Line on Goodman Rd. RIght in the heart of where you like to shop. Get your groceries down the street but Come to Cates to get Your Meat! A slogan you will hear for years  to come.