Wassi's Meat Market on North Wickham Road in Melbourne is celebrating 40 years in business this October. The family-owned store, founded in 1986 by Frank and Jan Wassi, has grown from a neighborhood butcher shop into a major specialty food retailer. Located at 830 N. Wickham Road, the market remains a fixture for locals and visitors seeking high-quality meats and grilling supplies.
Frank and Jan Wassi built their reputation by focusing on aged beef, wagyu, and homemade sausages long before specialty meats became mainstream. Their son, Frank Wassi Jr., now helps run the business alongside his mother, who still prepares the market's popular homemade pies and frozen dinners. The store employs about 25 people and continues to emphasize family traditions.
Jan Wassi oversees daily operations, while Frank Wassi Jr. has honed his barbecue skills through training in Texas-style smoking methods. He uses 1,000-gallon offset pits fueled by Texas post oak wood to prepare smoked meats. Each Friday starting at 10 a.m., the market offers a rotating selection of smoked specialties until they sell out.
The business has become a destination for grilling enthusiasts across Florida. Customers range from first-time cooks seeking advice to experienced pitmasters looking for premium cuts. The market's anniversary in October highlights its role as one of Brevard County's most recognizable food retailers over the past four decades.