Why A High-End Butcher Shop Opened Beside A Gift Store At The Lake: Inside High Steaks & Gifted

Football season has finally kicked off, and the holidays aren’t far behind. Luckily for those at Lake of the Ozarks, there’s one location that fits both needs: an adjoining boutique and butcher shop. It might sound like an unlikely pairing, but all it takes is one experience to see why these two are a match made in heaven.

High Steaks Smokehouse and Gifted — located at 4175 Osage Beach Pkwy — is a dynamic duo that can’t be found anywhere else at the Lake. The concept came to life through two visionary couples.

It began with the wives. Ciarra Dobbs and Jennifer Fairleigh are passionate about gift-giving — finding those unique, meaningful items that bring joy or curating baskets filled with treasures.

That love sparked the idea for Gifted, a distinctive boutique for all budgets, people, and furry friends too. But they didn’t stop there. Ciarra and Jennifer's husbands — Eric Dobbs and John Fairleigh — designed a one-of-a-kind meat market. The dynamic duo was born!

“There’s nothing like it in the area. We opened in July of 2024 and it’s been great since,” Ciarra recalled. “It really took off from there. We wanted to fill a need for both women and men, and once people come in, they love it and the experience.”

Here's a look inside each...

High Steaks Smokehouse

High Steaks Smokehouse is more than a butcher shop. For one, the name speaks to the high-quality meat selection. Whether it’s game day or a celebratory dinner, the variety of beef, pork, chicken, and Boar's Head lunchmeat ensures customers find what they want.

Behind the meat counter is an amazing chef.

Chef Chris McDonnell brings world-class experience to High Steaks Smokehouse. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, McDonnell’s career spans decades in acclaimed kitchens across the U.S. and abroad. Before coming to the Lake, he owned and operated Chris McD’s in Columbia for more than 30 years. He was working as a private chef before finding what he calls a “perfect fit” with High Steaks.

For McDonnell, the partnership works because of a shared commitment to quality.

“The biggest draw for me was their commitment to quality product,” McDonnell said of the owners. “They are looking for the best of the best product, and you’re not going to find that in grocery stores.”

He noted that High Steaks sources chicken and pork locally and partners with the Certified Angus Beef program. One very popular product, the Wagyu beef, is sourced from farms right here in the Lake area.

Need something to cook tonight? Visit High Steaks Smokehouse Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (close at 4 p.m. on Saturdays) for prime meat, Wagyu, seafood, and more!

Watch for specials on Facebook.

American-made Yoder Smokers are for sale too! Built to last, Yoder Smokers elevate any outdoor cooking.

Sometimes, the calendar fills up and you're left wondering what to do for a meal.

The journey to the back of a grocery store every time you need protein can be a drag, and supermarkets simply don’t have the range and local sourcing of High Steaks Smokehouse. Enter: High Steaks' meat subscription service: a convenient monthly service that’s tailored to any family size.

“We know how busy people get,” said Ciarra. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to have meat in their freezer or fridge. And it’s a big deal for locals to get what they need for the month.”

Not only that, High Steaks has begun rolling out ready-to-eat meals crafted by McDonnell — ideal for family gatherings or parties, or when it's one of those nights when you just can't (or don't want to) cook.

“Beautiful vegetables, oven-ready starches, salads, and desserts so you can go home and have a gourmet meal in a short period of time with little stress,” McDonnell added about the meals, which will rotate seasonally while keeping the proteins relatively the same. “You’re going to be able to buy everything at High Steaks.”

Catering services for offices and events in Lake Ozark and Osage Beach extend the experience even further.

For those who want an extra special evening, Chef McDonnell will be offering his services for private parties. There are limited spots, and they book fast with the holiday season coming up.

Call 573-552-8404 or email highsteaksloto@gmail.com for more info.

Gifted

Next door, Gifted creates an inviting atmosphere from the moment customers step inside — music playing, wonderful scents wafting through the air, and displays that encourage slow browsing for gifting or splurging.

Fall seasonal decor takes the limelight when you enter (until Christmas of course). This includes cute ceramic pumpkins, Halloween-themed candle holders, and even an area for Kansas City Chiefs gear. Along the walls are a range of items for pets, kids, and adults.

But the difference here is that everything feels — and is — hand-selected. Rather than feeling like you're wading through the mass-produced $5 section at the front of a big-box retailer, a trip through Gifted feels like a completely curated shopping experience.

Check out Gifted on Facebook and visit in-person!

They are open Wednesday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the week, until 3 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday.

There’s plenty of wellness merchandise too. Ciarra and Jennifer know the luxury and necessity of body care, so they crafted a whole section of all-natural products to make customers feel good. Add delicate jewelry and gorgeous home goods…and it’s basically a woman’s paradise. But don’t worry, they are expanding the men’s section too.

Gifted specializes in personalized gift baskets—perfect for realtors, corporate clients, or holiday exchanges—and engraving services for that extra-special touch. The girls are more than happy to help customers find the perfect gift.

Beyond products, Ciarra and Jennifer are creating community connections. They will soon be hosting Mahjong classes (a Chinese tile-based game), offering a space where generations come together to learn and play. Beautiful Oh My Mahjong sets and mats are also available in-store.

From unique gifts to premium meats, High Steaks Smokehouse and Gifted bring fresh energy to Osage Beach. As the holidays draw closer, both shops are helping locals and visitors alike stock up, prepare, and celebrate in style.

Stop by 4175 Osage Beach Pkwy to experience Gifted firsthand!

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High Steaks Smokehouse

Gifted