A new mural on the wall of the Live Butcher in White Center is testament to nature and owner Tom Salle's commitment to the best. Painted by @Nakmatter it's one of several murals the artist has done in the area.
Photo by Patrick Robinson
As you head north just out of White Center on 16th SW you might remember the large sculpture of the steer on wheels that Tom Salle, owner of the Live Butcher has had on display at 9432 16th SW. But honestly less well known was the mural that was on the south wall of the building.
"It was up for a long time and it just got faded so I wanted to freshen it up," he said. Salle had seen the mural done by local artist known as @Nakmatter on the wall of Bok a Bok Chicken as well as one that adorns the wall outside at Two Finger Social Club and reached out.
After an initial visit, Salle did not hear from him. But then the pandemic began and as the situation went on Salle didn't give much more thought. Last month @Nakmatter showed up and told Sale he was going crazy just painting things in his backyard and wanted to get going. After an initial concept sketch was approved by building owner Nancy Benton, it took about a week to strip away the old paint and get the new design up. The painting contains a hog, a chicken, an elk, a steer and a buffalo. Tucked in for good measure are a lamb and a salmon too. Bits of fences, some chicks and farmland are there too. On the right is a classic red and white barn door motif.
He works entirely with spray paint, able to achieve remarkable detail and precision.
For Salle it's almost too much attention.
Since as a butcher he is an essential business, he's felt the need to expand the offerings inside his 900 sq. foot store beyond his normal meat products. He now offers milk, cheese, eggs, potatoes, onions, cottage cheese and more. He has been selling ground beef at $6.99 per pound (far less than grocery store prices) and even offers Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger. There are limits of course to what people can purchase.
"It's getting harder to keep up with demand," Salle said, "I have to order two weeks in advance to get anything."
In a world where virtual meetings are now the norm, it's good to know while the mural outside is virtual the products he sells are real.
The Live Butcher is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm.
You can find @Nakmatter on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nakmatter/
