Premium Cuts And Local Roots, Family-Owned Butcher Shop Opens With Summer Grilling Favorites

OYSTER BAY, NY — A new family-owned butcher shop has opened in the heart of Oyster Bay just in time for Memorial Day Weekend.

The Bay Butcher, owned by the Milana Family, settled into town earlier this month on South Street, offering everything from burgers, hot dogs, and marinated cutlets to premium selections, such as prime dry-aged porterhouse, ribeyes, filet mignon kebabs, and Kobe beef hot dogs.

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Oyster Bay resident Giulia Milana said her family has deep roots on Long Island and a strong background in the restaurant industry. The family owns Stellina Ristorante, which opened in February 2022, Casa Stellina, which opened in February 2024, The Audrey, which opened in June 2023, and L'Etoile, which opened in April 2025. The family also has another restaurant set to open later this year.

"The butcher shop is a new chapter for us, and one that ties our love of food and hospitality together in a different way," she said.

As restaurant owners, Milana said her family understands the importance of quality ingredients.

"We know how much the sourcing of meat really matters, and the difference between a good dish and one you remember often starts at the butcher block," she said. "Meat is also one of the biggest costs in any kitchen, and we were never willing to compromise quality, so we started looking at whether we could do it ourselves."

What began as a practical business decision eventually became a source of pride for the family.

"Sourcing and butchering in-house let us hold the standard we wanted while giving us more control over the whole process," she said. "From there, opening a shop was the natural next step, so anyone in Oyster Bay could come in and get the same cut of meat we'd serve at one of our tables."

Milana said supporting small businesses is especially important in a town like Oyster Bay.

"When you shop at a small, independent butcher, you're getting a lot more than just meat," she said. "You're getting expertise, transparency, and a real relationship. We know where our product comes from, how it was raised, and how to cook it. That's not something a grocery chain can offer in the same way."

She added that shopping locally helps support jobs, neighboring businesses, and the character of the community.

"That kind of local support is what keeps a town like Oyster Bay thriving, and we feel lucky to be part of a community that values it," she said.

Milana said her family is grateful for the warm welcome the community has shown since opening.

"This shop is a labor of love for us, and we hope it becomes a place where neighbors come in not just to buy great meat, but to leave inspired to cook something at home," she said.

In addition to helping run the business, Milana shares a taste of the business with behind-the-scenes videos on TikTok, showcasing the family's shop and restaurants.

"I do a little bit of everything, from the bookkeeping to the behind-the-scenes content following it all from the butcher to the plates at our restaurants," Milana said. "The only thing the videos can't do is let you taste it, but that's what the shop and the restaurants are for."

The Bay Butcher is located at 96 South St. in Oyster Bay.