Richard's Meats, in Abbeville, is easy to miss.
It's a small building and were not for a sign illustrated with a crowned, overall wearing hog it would be just another small building along the highway leading to the downtown.
The small butcher shop is run by Neal Richard, and before he took over it had been his father's. For just over a half century, the family has operated the small business in Abbeville.
When Neal's dad was ready to retire, it looked as if the business would change hands and another family would take on the store.
Until then Neal hadn't shown any interest in taking over, but as his father's retirement crept closer the thought of losing it to another family changed his mind.
Since Neal had never considered taking over, it was a bit of a learning curve, learning how to not only break down slabs of meat but how to handle a customer base.
It gave him a chance to learn right alongside his dad, something he describes as enjoyable even if they didn't always see eye to eye.
Neal has four kids of his own and while he'd never pressure them to go one way or the other, he says there is hope that the business will stay in the family.
