A St. Louis Tradition since 1946
From where it all began, to where we are now.
The landmark, Baumann's Fine Meats, roots back 3 generations to 1946 when Baumann’s Serve-Well Market was opened as a small grocery store with a meat counter in University City, at the corner of Jackson and Pershing Avenue. When Grandfather Baumann passed away in 1967, his son, Bob Baumann, took over the family business. In 1981 Bob closed the market doors. Only to reopen in 1988 as Baumann’s Fine Meats at its current location at 8829 Manchester Road in Brentwood.
Bob successfully ran the family business for many years. When Bob’s son, Charlie Baumann, was 21 years old he asked if he could work at the meat shop, while he was figuring out what do with his life. He started off cleaning windows and taking out the trash, basically anything his father asked of him. And over the years, Charlie honed the family skill and became a very knowledgeable and talented Butcher.
In 2008, Bob Baumann retired and sold the shop to Jim and Ann Lucas. Because of Charlie’s talent and passion for the meat market, the Lucases were thrilled to keep Charlie on and continue the family tradition. Still today, Charlie specializes in prepping the meat case, making bacon-wrap filet mignons and cutting steaks. Charlie especially enjoys interacting with the customers and knowing exactly what they want when they walk through the door.
Current Baumann’s owner, Jim Lucas, worked for 20 years in financial investments… and abandoned money management to pursue his passion for barbecue! Growing up in University City, Lucas shopped Baumann’s Serve-Well Market and later frequented the Brentwood shop for their handmade andouille sausages and famous beef jerky. The opportunity to continue the Baumann’s legacy, and to create his own home base for smoking and barbecuing, was something that Jim just could not pass up.
Jim’s wife, Ann Lucas, comes from a background in catalog retail and real estate. In true family business style, Jim enlisted Ann to do the bookkeeping, marketing and advertising for Baumann’s. Ann also handles the design of the front of the shop by displaying local products and decorating the seasonal displays.
Today, Baumann's Fine Meats continues to be a staple in the lives of so many in the neighborhood and beyond. In an age of big-box stores, Baumann’s is a rare gem. Not only will you receive great customer service, but you can also walk in and get a custom cut of anything you want. Not to mention, you can get hard-to-find specialties such as Baumann’s famous tasso, beef jerky or handmade sausages.
A Cut Above The Rest
Baumann's has been featured on the cover of Sauce Magazine as the Reader's Choice, "Favorite Butcher Shop", as well as named the "Best Meat Counter" in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times.
