About Us

Back Then...

The story of the Edgewood Locker started with a farmer and a registered nurse. In 1966, Tom and Joan Kerns purchased the business. At that time, it was being housed in an older rented building in downtown Edgewood, IA. The business consisted of one full-time and one part-time employee. Custom processing and locker storage were the only two services offered at the time.

Growing Periods...

In 1970, Tom and Joan purchased an old creamery on the north edge of town and remodeled it themselves with little help. They also expanded to four employees. During this time, two of their sons, Terry and Jim started working side by side with their parents. In 1980 a partnership was formed between Tom, Joan, Terry and Jim. For the next 16 years the business continued to expand including venison processing, catering, and a retail outlet. Six major remodeling projects made this growth possible. In 1996 the business had outgrown the facility and decisions needed to be made. It was clear if the business desired to continue to serve customers in the best possible manner, a new facility would be needed.

The spring of 1997 brought a new era for the Edgewood Locker when a new facility on the west edge of town was opened. This major expansion to the business helped bring the services offered to a new level. While the owners still operated under the same family business principles, they now had the tools, technology, and knowledge to produce premium products and services.

With things always changing and growing, the Edgewood Locker purchased an Event Center in 2013. The Edgewood Locker Event Center gives the community a newly renovated venue to accommodate events of all sizes including business meetings, graduations, weddings, and most recently celebrations of life.

In 2014 the Edgewood Locker opened its doors to third generation ownership when Terry’s daughter Katie bought into the growing business. Following Katie was Jim’s daughter Baili and son, Payson joining in 2017. In 2019 Terry’s son Luke bought into the business. This third generation of ownership is allowing Terry and Jim to step back a little. At the same time, the third generation is focused on ways to grow the business to new levels.

Today...

Today's Edgewood Locker is a much different place than it was 50 years ago. From the original 2 employees, we now have over 50 full time employees and about 40 part time and seasonal employees. Sales in our retail store have grown significantly over the years, and we have a full line of our award winning products available for you to serve to your family. Over 100 additional stores also retail Edgewood Locker products for customers to purchase throughout the State of Iowa. Custom processing of beef, hogs, lambs, goats, and venison is still a major part of the business as well. In 2018, we processed 3,766 hogs and 1,594 beef. It was our largest volume of beef and pork processing in one year. Deer processing has grown into a major part of our business. In the 2021-2022 Deer Season hunters brought in 3,717 whole deer carcasses and over 182,000 lbs of boneless deer to be made into our award winning sausage.  That is over 485,000 lbs of homemade deer products!

Tomorrow...

Although many things have changed, the one thing that hasn't is our commitment to be the best at what we do. As the third generation of Kerns' continue to grow in the business, we plan on being here to "meat" your needs for many years to come!