Townsend Spice and Supply is located on Main Street in Melbourne near the Church of Christ and Freedom Ford.


he landed some impressive contracts from icons in the barbecue world like Sarge Davis of Whole Hog Cafe and Mike Mills.


co-owner.


In 2012, cousins Shane Linn and David Blankenship bought the company that is nearly four decades old. It was originally established in Oxford as Townsend Supply, but they tweaked the name and moved the location to Melbourne to align with their goals to grow the retail side of the business.


Townsend Supply was founded in 1978 by Richard and Catherine Townsend. The Townsends had spent their lives in the butcher supply business in Memphis, Tenn., —famous for its barbecue culture —and then moved to Oxford after retirement. They started manufacturing sausage seasonings and meat cures, and sold butcher supplies for the next seven years.


Then in 1985, John Hatfield purchased the business and is credited with growing it significantly.


Spice for homemade sausage, right down to the casings, is a big seller at Townsend Spice and Supply.


26 Living Well i January/February 2017


He expanded the product line and created his own seasonings and barbecue rubs. Under his leadership,


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