Family embraces new life at Cloys Meat Market and Slaughterhouse

Not being afraid to make a life altering change is what led the Dispenza family to their new calling.

Last September, Frank and Rachel Dispenza, the parents of six children, took a trip from their Town of Tonawanda home to Cloys in Ransomville to purchase a quarter of a cow.

Being tired of her husband complaining about his job, she asked the owner Dave Cloy if he was hiring. His response was they are not only hiring but they are selling the place.

“Less than a year later, now we own it,” said Frank.

He said they had always prayed if there were something better they could do in life they would get an answer.

“So many people are afraid of change,” he said. “I wasn’t happy with my job and we’re not afraid of change. Our whole story is built on our faith and our love for each other.”

Cloys first began in the late 1800s as a farm, then became a slaughterhouse and is now a full service meat market.

The Dispenza family has been running Cloys Meat Market and Slaughterhouse since the second week in July.

Moving from Tonawanda, the family is now adjusting to life on a farm.

Before the move, Frank was a Tonawanda police officer and Rachel a massage therapist. Frank grew up on a small farm in Pendleton and is use to the life, but his wife grew up in Kenmore, where there were “sidewalks, streetlights and shopping within five minutes” of her home.

Though a different atmosphere, the Dispenza’s want their children to know they’re in control of their own life.

“I want them to know, you don’t have to be stuck with one job no matter how old you are,” said Rachel.

Frank said if someone is complaining about where they work or where they live, only that person can make that change

“Our whole family needed a change,” said Frank. “We wanted to get back to the way things use to be. People helping each other, depending on small farmers.”

Rachel and Frank are big supports of buying local. They purchase all of their beef from Niagara County farms, so when someone purchases their products, they not only help them, they help the other local farmers.

Their six children — Matthew, 14, Frank, Jr., 12, Anthony, 10, Christopher, 9, Joseph, 3, and Lucy, 2, — are also very excited for their new life.

They will attend Wilson schools in September and want to get involved in the 4-H program.

“It’s fitting like a perfect puzzle,” said Frank. “It couldn’t work out better.”

Those stopping at Cloys can purchase anything from a whole cow to a side of beef at wholesale prices. They can also get individual cuts, roasts and more.

They have homemade barbecue pulled pork, marinated meats, sausages and burgers. They also sell cheese, deli meats, frozen seafood and a variety of sauces and seasonings.

“You can buy one steak or you can buy 50,” said Frank. “We’re a full service, custom, old fashioned meat market. Like they use to be. We want to keep those values.”

They want people to know they don’t always have to go to a chain grocery store. They can stop at Cloys for quality meats and help local farmers at the same time.

Cloys Meat Market and Slaughterhouse, 3130 Ridge Road in Ransomville is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information call 791-3433.