T-BONES NATURAL MEATS The store's Web site www.tbonesstore. com was upgraded several months ago and the colorful layout is getting over 1,000 hits a week. "We actually have monthly and sometimes weekly meetings in our store to deal with education," he explains. "We have holistic lifestyle coaches, chiropractors and other medical experts come in and hold classes on proper eating. These sessions are by invitation and the attendance is growing." Product cooking and sampling are a big part of the T-Bones marketing philosophy, and the flare with which it is done is a step above most others. A hospitable bar-type service counter and complementing wines are featured in the tastefully decorated 1,100-sq.-ft. retail shop. Yake emphasizes that they have a spirits license and sold wines, but dropped that approach to devote more time to the meats. While there are many upscale customers on the list of T-Bones' clientele, Yake points out that they cater to everyone and make every effort to show the value of their products. He notes that about 90 percent of their business is from repeat shoppers. FOR 30 YEARS Ic. +aW WN t" N` e e e r e A s 66 * Meat&Poultry * November 2010 * www.MeatPoultry.com