G&M Farms Quality Meats opens storefront in Barnwell

Michael Hiers has been working in the meat industry since he was a teenager cutting meat at the local grocery store. These years of experience led to him opening G&M Farms Quality Meats in Barnwell as well as the slaughterhouse in Ehrhardt that stocks it.

Years ago, Hiers noticed an increase in walk-ins from Barnwell at G&M Farms Slaughterhouse in Ehrhardt. He played with the idea of opening a storefront based on this demand for three years, and it took another two years to find a suitable location.

Since G&M Farms Quality Meats opened their doors on May 27, 2022 on Dunbarton Blvd in the old Taco Bell building, they have received resounding support from the community.

“It’s been really good, I can’t complain,” said Hiers, who aims to stock his shelves with “stuff that you can’t find at your regular grocery store.”

The storefront is stocked with a variety of quality meats such as beef, chicken, pork, and even some fish. In the beef section, they sell New York strip steaks, prime rib, filet mignon, brisket, and much more, all processed at G&M Farms Slaughterhouse.

“We sell a lot of steaks,” said Hiers. “Big steak-people following.”

In addition to the meats, G&M Farms Quality Meats sells products made by Blue Moon Specialty Foods based in Spartanburg. Blue Moon Specialty Foods sells pre-made, healthy meals and products, and also has a restaurant in Spartanburg.

“I never realized it but there's a huge market for that,” said Hiers in regard to pre-made but healthy food options.

“The compound butter is going over really well,” said Hiers about the Blue Moon Specialty Foods flavored butter. G&M Farms Quality Meats carries bourbon, blue cheese, garlic, and many more Blue Moon flavored butters.

“We’re trying to be unique with stuff you don’t see in stores,” said Hiers. They also sell a variety of seasonings also made by Blue Moon.

G&M Farms not only sells their meat at the storefront in Barnwell, but does both wholesale and retail selling in Aiken and surrounding areas. Hiers also offers custom kills.

Although the ‘G&M’ of G&M Farms Quality Meats stands for Gracie and Michael Hiers, their family is very involved.

Hiers’ daughter, Catrina Arbogast, and granddaughter, Caroline Arbogast, are the friendly faces you’ll be assisted by when entering G&M Farms Quality Meats. They run the store while Hiers works at G&M Farms Slaughterhouse in Ehrhardt during the day.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” said Catrina Arbogast.

Arbogast explains that she takes note of cuts of meat or certain products people ask for and they make an effort to get it into the store.

At a recent Barnwell City Council meeting, G&M Farms Quality Meats and Hiers was recognized for bringing new business into the region.

“It was great they recognized a new business,” said Hiers. “We appreciate it, we really do.”

The Hiers and Arbogasts are making an effort to support other local efforts through their business.

On July 23, they held a fundraiser selling boston butts to help the Barnwell Angels All-Star Team to go to the Dixie Youth League National Softball Championship in Louisiana. Orders were taken ahead of time on Facebook by Coach Brad Whitehead, who is also the son-in-law of Hiers.

Within the first hour, 40 boston butts were sold and all the profits will go toward the Angels’ trip to Louisiana.

G&M Farm Quality Meats is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The store is located at 11365 Dunbarton Blvd, Barnwell.