Pictured is daughter Addyson with parents Julie and Lance Ferrand at Lumberjack Jerky Meats and More in Youngsville.

“How ya doing?!”

CRUNCH

Ow … my hand, my fingers! These are my money makers!

Lance Ferrand’s hand swallows mine in the firmest handshake I’ve had in a long time. My delicate writer’s hand was not expecting that!

I had been hearing rumors that the jerky store in Youngsville was reopening with new owners so I decided to come and check it out. Located at 27600 US-6 in Youngsville in the former Paul’s Red and White store, Lumberjack Jerky Meats And More is now open for business, making the delicious jerky that Youngsville and all of Warren County have come to expect from this store.

When I pulled into the parking lot, I saw a car leaving with three men in it. They all waved at me enthusiastically as they were pulling out. Wow, Youngsville really is a friendly town!

I walked in and was greeted immediately by the woman behind the register. I found out that this is Shelley Greis. She’s the former owner of the store, back when it was Genuine Jerky. She is still working at the store, lending her knowledge and experience to the new crew. She’s able to still do what she loves without the burdens and responsibilities that come with ownership.

A man quickly walked by me, following a customer out the door to talk to him.

“That’s Lance there. If you want to talk to him, you better get his attention. I think he may be leaving,” Greis said pointing out the door

Lance Ferrand was out in the parking lot talking to a customer who had just paid for his order. He brought the customer back into the store so he could try out a sample of their latest jerky. I could see the passion in Ferrand’s eyes as he told him all about it.

After the customer left again, Ferrand turned his attention to me and that’s when he about broke my hand. Ferrand is a logger first and foremost. That’s what he considers his first job. Lately he’s been expanding into other businesses. He and his wife, Julie, own and operate KAM’s Logging Supplies and Outdoor wear in Youngsville, where The Store once was. They also operate KAM’s Pool Hall on Liberty Street in Warren. I asked him about all of his new business ventures.

“I’m a logger but when I’m 60 years old, I don’t want to have to be a logger,” he said. “It’s hard work. I want to do it because I want to, not because I need to. That’s what got me started.”

That’s the American dream. The American Dream is the idea that anyone can achieve success in this country with hard work, determination, and opportunity. That’s what I was witnessing in Youngsville.

He led me around the store to show me what all they offered and the big plans he had for what was to come.

“Our jerky and beef sticks are made right here in the back,” he said. They gave me samples to try out. My favorite was the BBQ jerky with my second being the pork jerky.

“We are the only ones that have pork jerky!” Shelley chimed in, pride in her voice

Ferrand then led me in the back where the jerky is made.

“We have three elves that work back here early in the morning. By the time we get here, it’s all bagged up and on the shelf, ready to go.”

I looked at him to see if he was joking but he didn’t seem to be.

“You just missed them! They left right before you came in.”

The three guys in the car! They were the elves. That’s why they were happy to see me!

Note: I didn’t notice their small stature or magical powers when I saw them, but all things are possible with Lance.

Besides the delicious jerky and beef sticks, they also offer freshly made subs and have a deli for meats and cheeses.

“We were looking at the numbers and we can sell it cheaper than Walmart,” Ferrand said with pride. “I’m also working with a local butcher and we’re soon going to be offering fresh cut meats, like good quality steaks.”

“We have breakfast sandwiches that we sold out of this morning,” Lance said, pointing to an empty hot case. And we’re going to have fresh made pizza too!”

Ferrand is full of ideas on how to grow the business.

“I drive Julie crazy sometimes. I’m always coming up with ideas. I like to just bounce my ideas off of people just to see what sticks.”

Having a deli with fresh subs and breakfast sandwiches seems like a great idea with Country Fair being demolished (with no known reopen date) nearby. The community needed something to fill the void.

There is also a skilled game room there with 24-hour availability, thanks to a side door. Following Ferrand around the store, I could see his vision and was getting excited just listening to him.

Conversation flowed easy as we talked about the news of the day, just like people do in little stores like this. We talked about gas prices and the military action in Iran.

“There shouldn’t have to be charity for soldiers when they come back from serving. It really burns me when soldiers come home missing a limb or injured and have to rely on charity. It should all be covered. One hundred percent.”

His expression changed when talking about the military.

“I watched my daughter Makenna grow up and become interested in cars and motorcycles and then go to the Career Center,” he said. “Then she joined the Air Force and now works on B-52s.”

He stopped for just a moment. “Make sure you tell everybody about our military discount. Every place should offer that.”

He does more for military members overseas than that in the store, as I heard about elsewhere. “I don’t like to talk about it. I just do it,” Lance said. “They deserve it.”

I closed our talk by asking Ferrand to describe himself. He thought about it for a moment.

“Hard working. Motivated. I like to get involved. And I want to provide for my family.”

Without him saying those words, that’s how I (and my sore hand) would have described him too.

Lumberjack Jerky Meats And More is open Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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