Mercedes Meat Market, a well-known butcher shop located in Mastic Beach, Long Island, has temporarily closed its doors for two weeks after its owner, Ramon Mercedes, tested positive for COVID-19. The closure, effective Friday, allows for deep cleaning and sanitization of the popular mercedes meat market to ensure the safety of its customers and staff upon reopening.
Ramon Mercedes, 57, a resident of Mastic, initially sought medical advice at CityMD in Shirley last Monday when he started experiencing illness. Despite his concerns, he was initially advised to take Tylenol and was told he was “fine,” according to his wife, Dawn Mercedes, who spoke with GreaterMoriches. However, Dawn insisted on a second opinion, and on Thursday, Ramon went to Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, where he underwent a COVID-19 test. The results, received on Friday, confirmed he had contracted the virus.
Following the positive diagnosis, the mercedes meat market at 376 Neighborhood Road took immediate action, hiring C&G Restoration to conduct a thorough cleaning and sanitization of the premises. The Mercedes family is currently in quarantine, adhering to health guidelines to prevent further spread of the virus.
“With this virus, you don’t even know you have it when you have it,” Dawn Mercedes stated, highlighting the unpredictable nature of COVID-19. Prior to Ramon feeling unwell, the mercedes meat market had already proactively closed on Monday, March 23rd, for a precautionary cleaning after experiencing a surge in customer traffic.
The announcement of Ramon’s diagnosis and the store’s temporary closure has prompted an outpouring of support from the Mastic Beach community. Hundreds of messages expressing well wishes and support for the Mercedes family have been shared on social media. “There has been such an outpouring of community support, it’s amazing,” Dawn Mercedes acknowledged, expressing gratitude for the local response.
In a display of community spirit, mercedes meat market donated a significant amount of packaged meat, including chicken wings, chicken legs, and chopped meat, along with milk, to PJ Balzar of Kings Kids Christian Outreach. This Mastic Beach-based group provides grocery boxes to local families in need. While Balzar has received the donation and stored the meat in a freezer, he is currently evaluating the best course of action for distribution, taking into account community feedback and food safety considerations. Guidance on food safety during emergencies is available from the FDA.
Ramon and Dawn Mercedes, owners of Mercedes Meat Market, a local butcher shop in Mastic Beach
Dawn Mercedes shared that Ramon is beginning to recover. “It’s a little scary when you have a virus, but he’s a healthy man. I have my kids here and me, but he’ll be OK.” Regarding the decision to close the mercedes meat market, she emphasized prioritizing public health over business concerns. “It’s the best thing to do. It’s a hard time to get meat, anyway, through distributors. And it’s not about business. It’s about keeping people safe.” The mercedes meat market looks forward to reopening its doors and continuing to serve the Mastic Beach community after the two-week closure and thorough sanitization process is complete.
