Jim Dickson forced to close J & S Quality Meats as community rallies to help

An icon in Adelaide’s north has been forced to close his butcher’s shop – as the community, including last year’s Magarey Medallist, rallies behind him.

Last year’s Magarey Medallist has come forward to support one of the northern suburbs’ best-known butchers, who has been forced to close his business for good.

Jim Dickson, a butcher for more than 40 years, said last Christmas his business J&S Quality Meats at Elizabeth South began to suffer as customers sought the least expensive meat for their holiday meals.

Mr Dickson is well-known for his “generosity” and devotion to sports sponsorship.

“I had a good reputation and I had to charge a decent price, but you know, the supermarkets are selling leg ham for $7 a kilo, and here I am, $13.99 a kilo,” Mr Dickson said.

“People would say, oh, I can get my ham half price at Woolies and I know I can guarantee mine, but it’s one of those things – everyone wants to save money.”

James Dixon, 63, lost his butcher’s shop in July, a career he has pursued for more than 40 years. Picture: Russell Millard Photography

The 63-year-old said his Elizabeth South butcher shop started to fall behind, and he was unable to pay himself since November 2023.

“I had fallen behind with a few people and I went to refinance my house in March and the banks, loan organisations wouldn’t look at me until after June 30 because it was halfway through the second half of the financial year,” he said.

“If I had done it back in November when everything was rosy they would have taken (the application).

“I told my landlord and my accountant was on the ball ready, but I ran out of time.”

Mr Dickson arrived at work on July 10th and found the locks changed after falling $35,000 behind on rent.

“When I started my apprenticeship 45 years ago, I knew I wanted to be a butcher because people had to eat three times a day and I would have a job for life,” Mr Dickson said.

The day his store closed was a “sad day” for the community, who regarded Mr Dickson as a prominent figure, always “generous” and willing to support anyone or help raise fund for charity.

James Dickson, 63, and 2023 Magarey Medallist Harry Grant, 23, together after a recent win from Central Districts Football Club against Glenelg. Picture: Supplied

2023 Magarey Medallist and good “mate” of Mr Dickson’s, Harry Grant, said if it hadn’t been for the 63-year-old’s “generosity”, he may have been forced to head home to NSW.

“(Jim) made moving to Adelaide a lot easier … if it wasn’t for Jim contributing and helping me settle in Adelaide, I don’t know if I would still be here,” Grant said.

Grant said after moving to the northern suburbs, he was struggling on his own, and Mr Dickson was his personal and club sponsor, and his community mindedness made a huge difference.

“When I moved to Adelaide I knew two people … and being 19, I wasn’t earning a huge amount of money,” Grant said.

“He was always really generous with helping me and offering cheaper good-quality meat, not just for me but for the whole team, he looked after every player.”

Mr Dickson is trying to recover while keeping himself afloat, paying back the loans he took out, preparing to sell his home and expressing his gratitude to the community who turned out for him after years of his support.

“I’m embarrassed, but incredibly humbled by everyone reaching out and helping me.”

Mr Dickson’s friend Ben Firth has organised a GoFundMe to help get Mr Dickson on his feet again.

The community have also supported Mr Dickson into getting a new job at The Butchers Secret in Angle Vale, and he said he was looking forward to slowing down before retirement.