Butcher’s Block feeds Aspen’s hungry locals in block party celebration
Madison Osberger-Low/The Aspen Times
The Butcher’s Block in Aspen hosted its yearly community celebration on sunny Friday, Oct. 17, from about 11 a.m. to 2 p.m outside of its deli location with extra tables and chairs spilling onto the sidewalk.
The popular event had locals willing to wait in a quick-moving line that wrapped around the block. The deli offered free bratwurst, hamburgers with all the fixings, potato salad, chips, and bottled water.
“If anyone can cook for 700 people in three hours, they should probably apply,” General Manager Marty Voller joked about the popular event, located at 424 S. Spring St. He added with good cheer that “it went how I hoped it would go.”
Tables filled with groups of friends, grownups with kids, coworkers, and neighbors. Even members of the local fire department and police were spotted attending.
“It was fast and furious,” Voller said. “We served true locals that live here. And we just appreciate it.”
The generous spirit was evident with those on the grill offering an extra portion for the undecided. Smiles and good cheer spread throughout the crowd. Some people spotted friends and exchanged fist pumps while waiting. Another set of locals could be heard gushing about how they attended last year and sharing their knowledge: “The line goes fast.”
The Butcher’s Block has been a community staple since 1973, though ownership changed hands in 2024 when Voller took over after Jack Frey’s retirement.
Both Frey and Voller are Minnesota natives, and Voller was already a known face at the shop. Voller first worked at the Butcher’s Block when he came to Aspen as a 20-year-old from Sauk Centre, Minnesota, in 1992. Voller left Aspen for a few years, but returned years later after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Butcher’s Block has remained steadfast in its mission to please locals while staying affordable and retaining the long-lasting loyal staff they are known for. Voller shared that the Butcher’s Block is now offering more and more kosher products.
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Frey took the time to find someone who would carry on his legacy, and Voller is doing just that.
“We hope everyone had a fantastic Butcher’s Block Party,” the shop posted on Instagram. “We enjoyed serving you all and appreciate this community continuing to support our little shop.”
Despite hosting a successful event, there is no guarantee the event will happen next year.
“We’ll probably do it again next year, but you know I’ve got to look at the books before I ever commit to any kind of thing like that,” Voller said. “It’s a matter of finances.”
