Fairfield deli owners have passion for food

FAIRFIELD — Rob Hammann knew from an early age his passion was in the food service industry.

The second oldest of four brothers, Rob followed in the footsteps of his father, John Henry Hammann; who spent 30 years working in the wholesale and retail industry, and his grandfather, John Francis Hammann; who sold meat during the Depression.

“It’s in our blood,” said the 42-year-old Hammann. “I grew up in the back of butcher shops. Dad got me working behind the meat counter and I just realized it was my passion.

“I love cutting meat. It’s a dying art,” he said. “It’s long hours, but the rewards are great.”

Many of the rewards have come from the people they’ve met along the way.

“We’ve built a lot of great relationships over the years and that’s what it is all about,” Hammann said. “Those relationships will last a lifetime.”

John Hammann, 67, worked for his father in a creamy whip shop from the time he was 11 until he was 18 or 19, he said. The Hammanns’ opened their first butcher shop in Mount Healthy in 1991. Rob then opened the Fairfield location in 1999. They closed the Mount Healthy store in 2001.

Rob now works alongside his father and other family members at Hammann’s Catering, Deli and Butcher Shop at 6180 Old Winton Road in Fairfield.

“We’ve made it through some rough times and hopefully, we can keep this thing rolling,” Rob Hammann said. “We’ll keep fighting the good fight.”

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