La Vaquitas Butcher Shop opens in Milford

Terry RogersBusiness, Milford Headline Story

La Vaquitas Butcher Shop held it’s grand opening on Saturday, May 8

Guadalupe Hernandez along with her husband, Luis, owners of Bibi’s Restaurant in Milford, noticed that there were not many butcher shops in Milford, especially those who may not have adequate transportation could walk to for fresh meats. When Pavlik’s Sub Shop went out of business, they realized this could be the perfect location for a butcher shop with a Latin flare.

On Sat., May 8, the new butcher shop, La Vaquitas, opened at 621 North Walnut Street after significant renovations. The brightly colored shop has cases filled with fresh meats, ranging from pork, chicken and beef as well as seafood like tilapia and shrimp. There are also some unique items like full legs of lamb and rabbit available. The famous ceviche available at Bibi’s is also for sale at the location.

“There were lines out front when we opened at 8 AM,” Hernandez said. “We are not sure if people left before we got here to open the doors. We did not even have time to sweep this morning so many people came in.”

Just like their restaurant, the butcher shop will be family-owned and operated with their three children working side-by-side with them at both locations. The couple, who immigrated from Mexico 21 years ago, opened Bibi’s in the Riverwalk Plaza in 2014. Since that time, the restaurant has received the Best Taste Award from the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford at their Holiday Auction for their tacos, flautas and salsas, all of which are homemade.

“We have had so much acceptance from the people of Milford,” Hernandez said. “They have trusted us, even throughout this pandemic, and that means the world to us. We felt the butcher shop was a way to give back to the town that has been so supportive to our family.” Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Bibi’s fed free breakfast to 250 children over the course of several months as a way to give back to the community.

Hernandez explained that there were many delays in getting the butcher shop open due to the pandemic. They had originally planned to open the first Friday in March but were unable to do so until May due to pandemic-related delays in inspections, renovation materials and more.

“Just like in our restaurant, we plan to put a lot of love in our products because we know if we love it, our customers will as well,” Hernandez said. “Our fresh meats will be of the highest grade and our seasoned meats will give our customers the authentic Bibi’s taste they have come to love.”

The butcher shop will be open on Monday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed on Tuesday, open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Wednesday through Saturday and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday.

Share this Post