New locker owners excited to reopen doors under new name

Ethan and Heather Hill, of rural Flandreau, have their hands pretty full.
The young couple has a few different businesses they own, manage or help out with — Ethan comes from an HVAC+R/Mechanical background and has repaired furnaces, air conditioners and coolers around the community for years.
He has also long worked alongside his dad at Hill Refrigeration out of Brookings.
The two also own 605 Productions, an audio visual company providing speakers and lighting for rodeos and concerts throughout the Midwest.
Ethan is also a PRCA Music Director.
Add that to the four little ones they run around after, that Heather home schools, and another baby on the way, the days go by pretty quickly.
But their cup, they say, is also very full and there is room in their lives for the latest opportunity before them — co-owning and running what will be the new Grizzly Meats locker in Flandreau.

The new sign just went up this past week.
“The business was shut down leaving a massive hole in the community as well as the county. We were given the opportunity to purchase the business and felt it was the way God was leading our family. We started stepping out in faith moving forward and God just kept opening the doors wider every step we took,” the couple said.
The Hill’s recently finalized the purchase of what had been the Flandreau Meat Locker with longtime friends Gary and Michelle Wadsworth, successful young entrepreneurs and business owners in their own right, out of the Watertown area.
Ethan, Heather said, has all the knowledge in the mechanicals of the plant, Gary and Michelle bring expertise in financial planning and retail. The young couples are also working with Rob Deslauriers from Rob’s Locker in Gary, South Dakota. Deslauriers has owned and operated his locker for 43 years and has “been a huge blessing to us in business planning, production protocols, and day to day advice,” Heather said.
The partners have a couple of staff hired right now but they are still looking for team members. Their formal state inspection is scheduled for early this week, and they plan to open as quickly as possible after certification.
Matt will be one of the friendly faces when you walk in the door and help bring that small town feeling into the plant. Robert is also willing to dig in and get whatever tasks need to be completed, said Ethan.
The likelihood their four (soon-to-be five) kiddos will be there to greet you as well — 8-year-old Josias, 7-year-old Autumn, 5-year-old Chancey, and 1-year-old R.J., is pretty high. They’re already loving, along with the Wadsworth’s children, the family and office space above the main lobby area and have taken it over as their own.
“We are here for the community, if there is ever an issue please come to us and we will do our best to correct it. We want to be the place you can stop into on the way home from work, grab some fresh cuts and take home to enjoy with friends and family throughout the entire year, not just grilling season,” he added.
The partners are already overwhelmed by the number of people that have stopped in to welcome them and their business to town, and to express their excitement at the doors being back open.
Their first customers are just waiting for the call that all is a go.
“Producers have limited options to get their livestock processed and connected to consumers. Consumers have their own preferences when it comes to the type of food they want on their plate. Small processors like this facility are perfect for both!” said Wadsworth.
“We want people to be excited to come back. We want to be the first thing you think about when it comes to getting meat on the grill for the family. And for the times people get together. Food is one of the best things for people to gather around!”
Updates can be found on the businesses Facebook and other social media pages.