Custom meat store in Roslyn has deep roots

Schmidt’s Custom Meats owner {span}Shannon Schmidt {/span}answered the following questions.

Question: Tell us about your business.

Answer: Schmidt’s Custom Meats is a new shop located on Highway 25 in Roslyn and is a “one-stop-shop.” The main part of the business is a meat market, with fresh cut and frozen retail meats, custom cuts (where we cut on the spot to your preference), third generational recipes in processed sausages and jerkies, and wild game processing. We also offer a small grocery line and have off-sale beer, liquor and wine. My husband Paul is an avid outdoorsman as well, so it only made sense that we offer fishing bait and tackle, fishing and hunting accessories, and are able to sell guns and ammunition and South Dakota hunting and fishing licenses.

Q: How and/or why did you get into this business?

A: The meat market industry goes back three generations in Paul’s family. His grandfather and father owned and operated a meat market in Roslyn years ago. Paul was always intrigued by the whole process and spent alot of time there, starting at a very young age. The business was later sold. Then, Paul began working in the meat department at the local grocery store in Webster while in high school, so has really been in this industry his entire life. It has always been in the back of his mind to start up the family business again. An opportunity presented itself when two local residents wanted to put up a building in Roslyn for more business opportunities. It was then that Paul and I were approached about the possibility and there was really no question. It was time to pursue his dream of combining his art of cutting meat as well as his love of the outdoors!

Q: What products or services do you offer?

A: Meat Market (fresh and frozen meats, custom cuts, sausages and jerkies, wild-game processing), grocery, off-sale liquor/beer/wine, bait and tackle, guns and ammunition, sale of South Dakota hunting and fishing licenses. We will also be expanding in the very near future to provide wholesale products for area businesses.

Q: How many employees do you have?

A: Currently Paul and I manage it together, with great family support! As we get underway, we hope to be able to add a couple employees!

Q: What is your businesses’ best asset?

A: Hometown customer service and great quality of meat products. Schmidt’s Custom Meats is already well known for our family recipes used in their homemade sausage products and their new line of jerky flavors (garlic pepper, jalepeno and teriyaki)! And we certainly can’t forget the best tiger (seasoned beef) meat around!

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: I am most proud of my husband for courageously following his dream and that our two boys can be a part of this venture we have pursued as a family!

Q: What makes your business stand out from its competitors? How do you keep up with changes?

A: Schmidt’s Custom Meats holds its products to a very high standard. Paul knows the industry so well and is so knowledgeable. We pride ourselves on presenting a great quality of product. And if it is anything less than that, we expect our customers to share that so that we can make improvements.

Q: What’s the best piece of business advice or compliment you have received? What would you tell a new business?

A: We have received LOTS of business advice from a multitude of people... family members, community members and other business owners. We are SO thankful to each and every one of them. Each person helped encourage us to pursue this dream and opportunity. I would tell a new business that it is a lot of work, but when it is something you are passionate about, it is SO worth it. So, make the leap of faith!

Q: What are your goals for the future?

A: We are getting the wrinkles ironed out more and more with each day and week. Our goals are to expand our hunting and fishing line and possibly expand to a delivery service to the lake areas in the coming years.

Q: How do you support your community, and vice versa?

A: Our community has been very supportive, to say the very least. We sure would not have been able to get this far without the support of a few very special community members. So, we also try to give back and support the community by being involved in the different events and activities, donating toward various activities and projects and being of service in whatever we can. This is both Paul’s and my hometown so this community is very important to us. We want to secure a future for our family in this community for years to come!

Address: 43611 South Dakota Highway 25, Suite 4, in Roslyn.

Phone: 605-486-4555.

Facebook:Schmidt's Custom Meats.