A local Waverly family has purchased 50-year-old Orly’s Meat Market Locker & Deli in Clarksville, marking a return to butchery and meat sales for co-owner Josh Miller.
Josh and his wife, Nikki, purchased Orly’s Meat Locker, founded in 1975, from prior owners Troy and Darri Rinnels. The Millers will keep the same name for the business, and both said they hope to carry on the traditions while adding a bit of their own flair.
“I’m keeping the name. It has been around a while,” Josh said.
The purchase of the business is sort of a homecoming for Josh, he said.
“I worked at Orly’s for 11 years. Then I quit and went to work at Nestle,” he explained. “I worked at Nestle for 11 years, and I decided Nestle wasn’t for me. I was (previously) a meat cutter and butcher.”
The Millers took over the meat locker on Jan. 6, and they have been operating six days a week since the takeover. The business has a slaughterhouse and a small store attached to it.
Josh said he slaughters custom orders for local residents, mainly focusing on beef, pork and the occasional requests to break down lamb and buffalo. He said he plans to do deer processing in the future during hunting season.
In the front store, assorted cuts of meats are sold as well as lunch meat, cheeses, sausages and meat sticks, he added.
Josh said he works full-time at the business, while his wife – Nikki – helps when she is not working her normal job as a nurse practicioner. The business employs a total of five workers including Josh.
Orly’s was founded in 1975 by the business’s original owner, Orlyn Schellhorn. Josh said over the decades the business has developed a robust following from area residents who seek to have their own meats processed locally rather than from a big grocery store.
“It is a lot better,” Josh said of locally-sourced meats. “It is a lot nicer to eat.”
Nikki is a Waverly native who grew up in Bremer County, while Josh is from Clarksville. The couple have four children, all of whom – both said – will help with the new family business.
Josh said he and his family find satisfaction in helping locals get good, healthy food.
“I like it. Just seeing the customer satisfaction buying good products that are coming out of (the locker),” Josh said.
Orly’s is located at 105 N. Main St., Clarksville, and is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. On Saturday, the store is open from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information, customers can call (319) 278-4514.