#Newsflash | Ribbon-Cutting for Prince Abou’s Butchery Is in Astoria on Aug. 6
BY QEDC It's In Queens
The Arabic word “Halal” translates to English as “permissible.” Halal cuisine complies with scriptures in the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book. Products such as alcohol, gelatin, lard, and pork are not allowed, while Halal meat must be slaughtered, processed, and stored as per Islamic law.
Abou Sow will hold a ribbon-cutting at his Halal store, Prince Abou’s Butchery, in Astoria on Saturday, Aug. 6, at 7 pm. (It already had a soft opening so head over there.)
Sow, who lives in Jamaica, operates his business in accordance with the Qur’an. He gets his produce from small, family-run farms just a few hours from New York City where the animals enjoy the outdoors, sunlight, grass, fresh air, and each other’s company.
Prince Abou’s Butchery, which is located at 32-88 Steinway St., is a dream come true, but Abou went through many nightmares to make it happen, thanks to Covid and other travails that a small business owner experiences in New York City. He was selling his products specifically online, but he always wanted a brick-and-mortar shop to make the transaction of buying meat transparent. He can demonstrate his entire procurement-and-production process with timelines.
“I started the business because it is a tragedy that Queens residents — and people across our city — are eating meat that is not fresh and has been dead for months,” he said in a statement. “It’s awful. I intend to rescue New Yorkers from this travesty one lamb chop at a time.”
Editor’s note: Prince Abou’s Butchery was a winner in Queens Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 StartUP Business Competition. Heading toward its 16th year, StartUP! is a four-month instruction course and competition for borough-based startup founders and small business entrepreneurs who are in the early stages of development. After attending at least four workshops on such topics as branding and marketing, contestants submit applications to a panel of judges consisting of local entrepreneurship and commerce experts. They chose the winners who receive $10,000 each.
Images: Prince Abou’s Butchery