Image: Fraser Valley Meats / Karen Welch from Fraser Valley Meats. 

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Longtime employee retires

Chilliwack meat shop bids farewell to longtime employee

Jun 17, 2025 | 9:21 AM

CHILLIWACK — If you ever ventured into Fraser Valley Meats in Sardis, you were bound at some point to see Karen Welch, a friendly face who epitomized customer service amid a beehive of activity at the store.

The popular butcher on Vedder Road has said goodbye to Welch, one of its most recognizable faces at the retail storefront, who is retiring after a lengthy career with the company.

In a social media post this past week, Fraser Valley Meats said Welch embodied the spirit of hard work, dedication and alacrity.

“After over 22 incredible years of dedication, hard work, and heart, we’re sending off Karen with heartfelt gratitude and best wishes on her retirement,” Fraser Valley Meats wrote on its Facebook page Monday morning, June 16. “Karen, your commitment, warmth, and positivity have made a lasting impact on the Fraser Valley Meats family, and we’re so grateful to have had you as part of the team. From early mornings to busy holidays, you’ve been a cornerstone of our workplace and you’ll always be a part of our story!”

From the sound of things, Welch will be able to watch a few more Toronto Blue Jays games now that she’s officially retired.

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“Please join us in wishing Karen a joyful and relaxing retirement filled with new adventures, well-deserved rest, and plenty of Blue Jays games!” Fraser Valley Meats wrote. “Thank you, Karen, for everything.”

Fraser Valley Meats has been supplying Chilliwack, Abbotsford and the rest of the valley with meat for over 50 years. The company’s first shop was located at 45735 Alexander Avenue in Chilliwack, a rustic setup that featured sawdust, a simple counter and a meat locker. Its current location at 7481 Vedder Road at the corner of Knight and Vedder opened in 2018, the same year that Fraser Valley Meats grew to over 30 staff members.