KOSSUTH, Pa. – Local residents were out in full force to support Hirsch’s Meat Market in Ashland Township on Friday following the fire early Thursday morning that destroyed the business’s slaughterhouse building.

(Kevin Lantz, of Franklin, purchased a ham Friday morning from Hirsch’s Meats for a family reunion he and his wife Pam are hosting this weekend in Tionesta. Submitted by Kevin Lantz.)

exploreClarion.com made a stop at Hirsch’s Meat Market Friday afternoon to check in on the status of the business.

The parking in front of the business was turning over quickly with customers coming and going in a continuous stream, and inside the building, customers were snapping up everything from chops to ribeye as the employees hustled around to fill the orders.

Owner Dave Hirsch, who confessed himself a bit too camera shy to pose for a photo, took a short break from cutting meat in the back to talk about the support they’ve seen from the local community as well as the uncertain future of the business.

Hirsch said business was good on Friday, with folks from all around the local community stopping in to pick up a few things and show their support following the destruction of the business’s slaughterhouse.

“I’m not even sure how many folks have been through here today,” he said.

The steady business was is plain view as he talked, though, with more customers arriving, and employees always on the move, taking orders, cutting, and packaging with practiced skill.

One question that remains unanswered, though, is what the future will hold for the business following the loss of such a vital structure.

“We’re still waiting to hear from the insurance company,” Hirsch said.

“When it comes to building, or rebuilding, something like this, there’s just a lot to look at — building regulations, USDA regulations. We’re just waiting to see right now.”

Along with waiting for information from their insurance company, Hirsch is also waiting for the final determination of what caused the fire, which is still under investigation.

The slaughterhouse structure, which was a part of the original Hirsch’s Meat Market business, dated from 1953. It housed animals and served an essential role as the place where the first steps of the butchering process began.

Although Hirsch’s had to put that part of their business on hold, their meat market remains open, with lots of popular products still available.