History of Leona Meat

Charles Debach worked for Troy Meat Plant and like most people he had a dream of owning his own business, where quality and service would be what customers received when they entered the door. In 1963 that dream became a reality and in a two-room building in Springfield Leona Meat Plant was born.

Having two sons that worked side by side with him was more than one person could ask for, Charles (Chick) and Michael (Mike) became part of the business. The boys learned skills from their Dad that were necessary to become both butchers and successful business men.

Changes began to take place as the company grew, a custom meat cutting area was added in 1967, and in 1972 a retail store. Constructed later that same year was a large freezer room for cooling and storage.

In response to the ever changing retail environment Leona Meat opened several outlets to serve surrounding communities. Finding that the main store was growing at a phenomenal rate, the trio decided to close those outlets and concentrate on the main store. Today Leona boasts 10 employees and the company is manufacturing more products than ever before. They have expanded their services to preparing and packaging products for other companies, private labels, and even carnival food vendors.

Forty one years have gone by since that first day that the plant opened its doors and the Debach family has worked hard to make Leona Meats a name that stands for value, quality, and service.