Jennings Premium Meats in New Franklin will cease its retail operations at the end of January, 2022, to focus on wholesale processing. The announcement was made by owner Jason Jennings on the business’s Facebook page on Monday.

“There are several factors that drove this change in our business, however the principal reason is our decision to focus on wholesale processing including our snack food operation,” wrote Jennings in the announcement.

Jennings said the retail store will be open during regular business hours and normally stocked through Christmas. “After December 25, 2021, we will begin winding down our inventory and will remain open through January with limited stock.” He anticipates that the retail store will close on January 31, 2022.

With the coming change, the business will no longer offer gift cards and anyone still holding gift cards is asked to redeem them as soon as possible.

“To all of you who have supported us over the years, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Jennings wrote. “Thank you for making the drive to New Franklin to visit us. Thank you for sticking with us after the fire in 1992. Thank you for finding a way to come to our shop when the roads were flooded. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to support our local schools, charities, and community. Thank you for being great customers and friends.

The butcher shop was opened in 1954 by Oscar “Pop” Jennings and his brother-in-law Orville Struchtemeyer. In 1968, Pop’s son Keith joined the business, expanding the company into the retail meat market. In 1988, Jason became the third generation of Jennings men involved in the business. The company expanded into further processed meat products including smoked hams, bacon, snack sticks, jerky, and sausages.