Family Business: Photo Essay by Ashley Vargas

My father used to own his own super market, and when I was a little girl I would go to work with him. Having to stand on a stool to reach the counter, I loved watching my dad cut the meat and wrap it in its packaging.  When I think back to the grungy old checker tile floor and the small narrow aisles with little orange price tags placed on each item, I am brought back to the rush of childhood and overwhelmed with nostalgia.
 
As a consequence of my childhood experiences, I have an extra fondness for family owned businesses. I searched Jacksonville seeking family owned shops that offered a glimpse of my past.

The three different local businesses documented in the following pages, have been owned by individual families for decades.

Harold's Meat Market

Harold’s Meat Market, owned by the Goody family since 1965, was originally a gas station with the actual structure dating back to 1929. Richard Goody, son of Harold Goody, now owns the market.

As soon as I stepped through the doors, I felt like was five years old again. The place smelled just like the back of my dad’s store where I use to watch him wrap the meat. I felt so much at home that I was almost expecting to see my dad walk out from the back in his meat coat


Richard Goody is on the right and on the left is his son, Harold Jr






Fresh cut meat daily





Harold's Meat Market
10535 Lem Turner Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 765-1686