EXCLUSIVE: Here’s what the inside of the Halal slaughterhouse looks like on Colvin Street

After a series of delays, the owner of the Saba Live Poultry slaughterhouse says he will open in June.

ALXnow was granted exclusive access to the building at 3225 Colvin Street. The paint is still fresh, floors are being retiled and cages for chickens and other equipment were recently unpacked.

“What happened was that we had a delay in the delivery of some of our mechanical equipment,” Abdul Mused told ALXnow. “I don’t think we’re going to have a problem getting permits. We’re going above and beyond to meet the standards with the city.”

Mused, who owns 18 Saba Live Poultry locations around the country,  reportedly spent $600,000 on the renovation of the building. The location has been controversial, as it’s located near a number of pet-related businesses, including the Wholistic Hound Dog Academy, Frolick Dogs, Dogtopia, Pinnacle Pet Spa & More, as well as the Wild Bird Center of Alexandria.

As previously reported, the owners of these businesses and neighbors deluged city council with letters in 2019, and Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Lisa Kemler threw out two cases levied by 10 area citizens and business owners against the city and council for their 5-2 approval of the business.

When open, the slaughterhouse will get 500 chickens in closed box trucks from an Amish community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., customers will be able to select a chicken in a steel cage with a number attached to its leg. The customer will get a ticket with the number as the chicken is taken into another room and slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law.