Fourth-generation owner, Joe Kocian, said his great-grandmother came to Cleveland from the Czech Republic in 1876, and the rest is history. The doors for Kocian Meats first opened in 1922 at Central Market, which was located off Ontario Street, until it burned down in 1949. The fire didn't shut down Kocian Meats, though; it reopened in 1950 in the new Central Market located off East 4th Street and Bolivar Road.
Fast forward to 1990, Kocian opened his current location on St. Clair Avenue. Customers followed, and so did the memories. When asked what the key is to the butcher shop's success, Kocian replied,"Consistency and recognizing people for what they provide. Without the customers, we wouldn't be here."