(Photo: File/Gannett Wisconsin Media )

Jeff Zusy is having his first go at running a meat market, but in his butcher's apron and ball cap, he certainly looks the part.

Zusy and wife Stephanie opened Ski's Meat Market at 2201 S. Oneida St. in Ashwaubenon on Friday. It is a franchise of a company that launched in Stevens Point in 2010 and now has stores in Wausau and Oshkosh as well. Opening the market solved an employment problem for Zusy, who was downsized after 20 years as a food service manufacturer's rep.

He's upfront about his store.

"I'm not a grocery store. I am more expensive than a grocery, but our quality is worth a stop," he said.

Ski's is in the space that formerly was home to Heid Music, which moved farther south on Oneida Street to Shoppes at the Village. The 5,800-square-foot store includes a 40-foot meat case, 12-foot poultry and fish case, a deli and a cheese island with about 100 Wisconsin-made and artisan cheeses.

"We have the 1855 Black Angus Beef brand and a Boar's Head Deli," he said.

Meat is wet-aged for two to three weeks to increase tenderness and taste. The deli has all-natural and gluten-free products, and homemade salads. Fresh turkeys are on hand for Thanksgiving, and speaking of that time of the year, Ski's also will process venison.

Zusy said they have 25 flavors of brats. Located a few blocks from Lambeau Field, he hopes to become a tailgater stop on the mornings of Green Bay Packers home games.

Staff includes three full-time meat cutters, a full-time deli manager and eight or so part-timers.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The telephone number is (920) 940-6020.

— rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @RichRymanPG or on Facebook at Richard Ryman-Press-Gazette. Contact him at (920) 431-8342.