Owner of AJ's restaurants opens specialty meat and produce market in Destin

Ebonee Burrell, Northwest Florida Daily News
·2 min read
AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market recently opened in Destin's Shoreline Village Mall on U.S. 98 East.
AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market recently opened in Destin's Shoreline Village Mall on U.S. 98 East.

DESTIN — Residents have a new option to get fresh meat and seasonal produce.

AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market is a new butcher shop and produce stand in Destin's Shoreline Village Mall. Located at 872 U.S. 98 E., the new market held its grand opening last weekend with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the city of Destin Chamber of Commerce.

The market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Alan Laird, who is also the owner of four of AJ's restaurants along the Gulf Coast, added this concept as Destin's only privately owned specialty meat and gourmet market. His other eateries include AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar on the Destin Harbor,  AJ's on the Bayou in Fort Walton Beach, AJ's Oyster Shanty on Okaloosa Island and AJ's Grayton Beach.

"We're here to serve the families of the Emerald Coast and to ensure that we meet all of their meat and produce needs," Laird said in a statement.

This new 2,500-square-foot market features grass-fed black Angus and Wagyu beef, which are sourced from the family's farm — Rocking L Ranch and Farm. Based in Florala, Alabama, Laird and his family can be found on the farm daily, working the crops and raising cattle.

AJ's Rocking L sells its premium meats and fresh seasonal produce, as well as a wide selection of wines, desserts, fine cheese, daily to-go hot lunch plates and custom-cut deli meats.
AJ's Rocking L sells its premium meats and fresh seasonal produce, as well as a wide selection of wines, desserts, fine cheese, daily to-go hot lunch plates and custom-cut deli meats.

AJ's Rocking L sells its premium meats and fresh seasonal produce from their partners at Maples Market in Andalusia, Alabama. In addition, the market offers a wide selection of wines, decadent desserts, fine cheese, daily to-go hot lunch plates and custom-cut deli meats.

"We're devoted to raising the freshest produce and finest beef," Laird added. "Our cattle graze on pesticide- and herbicide-free pastures to ensure customers get the best."

The addition of the new market to the community will maintain a small-town atmosphere that customers could grow to love, Laird said.

Inside AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market in Destin.
Inside AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market in Destin.

AJ's Rocking L will also offer meals through the holidays, and Thanksgiving meals are currently available to pre-order. The Thanksgiving catering menu consists of entrees, sides, appetizers, soups, salads, desserts and family feast options. Orders will be available for pick up on Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the market.

For more on the new market, call 850-279-4098 or visit AJ's Rocking L Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: AJ's Rocking L Market brings fresh meats, produce to Destin