When you pull into the parking lot at 920 W 4th St in Fordyce, you aren’t just looking at a grocery store. You’re looking at a lifeline. For a long time, the Mad Butcher Fordyce AR has been the heartbeat of this south Arkansas community, serving as the primary spot where people grab their Sunday roast or a quick gallon of milk.
It’s a place where the cashiers know your name. Or they know your mama’s name.
But lately, the conversation around this local landmark has changed. It's no longer just about the fresh cuts of meat or the "Mad Butcher" namesake. It’s about resilience. Honestly, what happened here in the summer of 2024 redefined what it means for a business to be part of a community. People don't just shop here anymore; they support it like a family member.
What Makes the Mad Butcher Different?
Most folks outside of Arkansas might hear the name "Mad Butcher" and think it's some kind of gimmick. It's not. The brand has deep roots in the state, originally founded by Allan Bellamy in the early 1950s. While it started as a small operation, it grew into a chain known for high-quality meat departments that actually employ real human beings who know how to handle a knife.
In Fordyce, this is a big deal.
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The store is currently owned by the Houchens Food Group, a Kentucky-based company, but it operates with a fiercely local spirit. You’ve got a full-service meat department where you can get custom cuts—something that’s becoming a bit of a lost art in the era of pre-packaged, vacuum-sealed supermarket steaks.
- Freshness: The meat is cut daily on-site.
- Variety: From pork loins to heavy-cut steaks, the selection is surprisingly deep for a town of about 3,300 people.
- Hours: They stay open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day of the week, which is vital when the nearest alternative involves a long drive.
The Day Everything Changed
You can't talk about the Mad Butcher Fordyce AR without acknowledging the tragedy of June 21, 2024. It’s the elephant in the room. A gunman, Travis Eugene “Joey” Posey, opened fire in the parking lot and inside the store, killing four people and wounding many others.
It was a nightmare.
The victims weren't just names in a headline. They were neighbors. Ellen Shrum, an 81-year-old who was just loading groceries. Roy Sturgis, who had just bought a steak. Shirley Taylor and Callie Weems—Callie was a 23-year-old nurse who died while trying to help someone else.
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The store closed for a while. The town felt it. When your only major grocery store shuts down, even for repairs and a crime scene investigation, the community feels the void in their daily lives. Volunteers had to set up food distribution sites at the high school because people literally had nowhere else to buy bread.
Reopening and "Fordyce Strong"
The Mad Butcher didn't stay closed. They reopened on July 2, 2024, less than two weeks after the incident. That’s fast. But the community needed it.
The reopening was emotional. People showed up not just to buy food, but to stand in the aisles and reclaim their space. The store became a symbol of "Fordyce Strong," a phrase you’ll see on banners and social media posts all over Dallas County.
Justice came relatively quickly in the legal sense. By August 2025, the shooter was sentenced to four life terms without parole, plus an additional 220 years. For many in Fordyce, that sentencing at the Ouachita County Courthouse was a necessary step toward closing a very dark chapter, even if the scars remain.
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Shopping at the Mad Butcher Today
If you’re visiting or new to the area, here is what you actually need to know about the shopping experience. It’s clean. It’s organized. It’s got that specific "hometown" smell—a mix of fresh produce and the butcher shop in the back.
- The Meat Case: This is the crown jewel. Don't be afraid to ask for a specific thickness on your ribeyes.
- Local Impact: When you shop here, you’re supporting the jobs of people who lived through the unthinkable and kept showing up for their neighbors.
- Digital Tools: They are part of the Food Giant network, so you can often find digital coupons or weekly circulars online to save a few bucks.
The store accepts all the standard stuff: credit cards, cash, and mobile payments. They also take EBT, which is essential for many families in the region.
Moving Forward in Fordyce
Healing isn't a straight line. The Arkansas Community Foundation even set up the Fordyce Survivors Fund, which raised over $150,000 to help families of the deceased and those who were injured. It shows that while the Mad Butcher is a business, the ecosystem around it is purely human.
Basically, the store has become more than a place to buy groceries. It’s a testament to the fact that a small town won't let a single act of violence define its future. When you walk through those doors today, you see a staff that has been through the fire and a community that refuses to shop anywhere else.
If you're looking for the best way to support the local economy in Fordyce, it starts at the Mad Butcher. Grab some groceries, thank the staff, and recognize that these aisles represent the resilience of south Arkansas.
To stay updated on local specials or community events held at the store, check the weekly circulars posted at the front entrance or visit the official Food Giant store locator for the Fordyce branch. You can also follow local community groups on social media for "Fordyce Strong" updates and memorial events.