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LOCKER HAS NEW OWNERS

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By Kim Hurley

Register Freelance Writer

 

It closed on Saturday, January 31, 2015, as Edgewood West and reopened on Monday, February 2, as Arlington Locker LLC when Lyndall and Nancy Winter took ownership of the business. They immediately entrusted its management to their daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Bruce Hubbard.  

So, what enticed this couple from down in Bluegrass, IA (10 to 15 miles west of Davenport) to purchase a meat locker in the northeast corner of the state? Heather eagerly shares what an entrepreneur her father is. “My father is amazing and always on the go.” He owns and operates Winter Bison (the buffalo sold in the retail section of the locker are from his farm) along with Bison Ridge Kennels, Winter Enterprises, and Stockton Realty Company, all in Blue Grass.

Lyndall started raising bison in the early ‘90s and there has been no looking back since. He has always been fascinated with bison; he even grew up in Buffalo Center, IA. As the Winters’ bison meat sales increased over the years they thought it would be a good idea to have a locker to keep the prices down as much as possible. Heather said her parents have always wanted to make sure they can keep prices at a level that all customers can afford. Hence, they approached Heather and Bruce in the fall of 2014 to see if they would be interested in relocating and managing a meat locker for them. “I never dreamed in a million years I would go from being a home health aide to locker manager” she admits, “but we are loving it and learning from our wonderful employees daily.”

A full-service meat locker, they process buffalo, beef, hog, deer, and sheep. The average turn-around time of processing any of these animals is currently one week. They have also put a smokehouse back in the locker and are very excited to offer smoked products that are made right there on site.

In their retail store—which is continuously growing—they sell buffalo, beef, pork, and chicken. Having recently obtained their grocery license, their goal is to have cheese, seasonings, crackers, BBQ sauce and some other items available for sale. “We are getting all our recipes approved by the state and very excited to be able to sell jerky, bacon, sausage, and so many other items that we will be making right here!” Heather states enthusiastically.

According to Heather, buffalo is the most popular product offered at the locker and she believes it will remain so. People want to eat healthier and buffalo is a healthy meat choice. “Not to mention, it tastes wonderful!” she claims, “Once someone tries it, they always come back for more.”

Heather said that without her mother, Nancy, there would be no Arlington Locker. “My father and mother were business partners in everything,” she continues, “she was very excited about purchasing the locker and since she had grown up in a small town, she said Arlington felt like coming home.” Sadly, Nancy passed away quite unexpectedly this past March, seven days after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Lyndall, Heather, and Bruce are appreciative of how the community and their employees have been wonderful and supportive, giving them the opportunity to show them their skill.  “We want the locker to be a place where a farmer can bring his beef, hog, buffalo, sheep, and deer and know it will be processed correctly each time,” Heather states.

The Arlington Meat Locker LLC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., although animals can be dropped off as early as 6:30 a.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon.  It is located at 796 Main Street in Arlington and can be reached at 563-633-3145.

 

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