Saturday, March 29, 2014
Staff report
HUBBARD
A bottle of wine before bed might put most people to sleep, but for Tommy Baker and his wife, it’s when they think of their next beef jerky label.
“We lay in bed and have a bottle of wine with us, and that is usually all it takes, and then we copyright the name,” said Baker, creator and owner of Tommy’s Old Fashion Jerky & Smokies with 23 flavors of beef jerky.
Though Baker has several branches around the country from Indiana to Tennessee, Neil and Erin Stahurski from Euclid run the newest jerky joint in Hubbard, called Tommy’s Jerky Outlet.
“We also [manage] the one in Mentor, Ohio, so it is a lot to take on, but it has been such a wonderful experience learning the business and growing together with Neil,” Erin said, who took over the Mentor branch in October 2013.
The store’s grand opening was Friday, and it continues from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Customers are encouraged to come in and try the jerky samples.
Local resident Katie Baker has been waiting for the grand opening since she heard about it.
“I really like the cherry maple beef jerky because it has a very sweet taste to it, and I hate anything spicy,” she said.
Her husband got her into beef jerky, and she has been hooked ever since.
But beef jerky isn’t the only thing offered at this location at 1482 W. Liberty St. Tommy’s also sells other smoked items such as peanuts, barbecue sauces and mustards.
“There is something for everyone,” Erin Stahurski said. “It all starts with a good piece of jerky to become hooked.”
Baker first started in the beef jerky business as a vice president of a jerky company and started his own in March 2010, when he opened his first location in Chardon.
Baker said beef jerky has come a long way and has become a popular snack over the years.
“It’s low in sugar, sodium, calories and carbs and high in protein. That makes for a great snack for anyone, any age, anytime,” Baker said.
Erin Stahurski said marathon runners to children come in and buy beef jerky constantly at the Mentor location.
She believes it is “one of those crazes that will never go away,” because jerky is so tasty and healthful.
The Stahurskis take turns traveling to the Hubbard location throughout the week while still managing the Mentor location.
“It’s been difficult, especially because we both have never done anything like this before, so we have had to hire help throughout the week,” Erin said.
Before she and her husband took over the Mentor and Hubbard branches, Erin taught special-needs children. Because she had to leave that job, she said she still tries to keep in touch and spend some free time with her students.
“We actually sell candles that special-needs children make at the Mentor store, and our goal is to bring some to sell in the Hubbard one,” Erin said.
Though the store just opened, Baker said his customers are loyal, and he can’t wait to see what the future holds for his business.