Help Polashek’s celebrate

Protivin -What happens when you turn 35? You throw yourself a party, that’s what! And that is exactly what Polashek’s Locker Services of Protivin is doing on May 5. The Locker wants to show its appreciation of all its customers, new and old, who have crossed its threshold since 1983.

Polashek’s is going all out for its anniversary — food, refreshments, door prizes, in-store specials and more from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the fire station next door. In addition, Super KCZQ will be airing live during the Polka Show, and KVIK will be there for folks to sign up for a chance to win a side-by-side.

History

Paul and Judy Polashek purchased the locker from Whitey and Evelyn Romens in 1983. 

In 1985, they started attending the Iowa Meat Processors Association Convention and have been bringing home awards since then! They have over 60.

It takes a lot of hard work to start a business and keep it going, especially for 35 years, but the couple has had lots of help. They have had and still have some dedicated employees (currently six plus some part-timers), as well as their three sons, Adam and Cory, who work full-time at the Locker, and Eric, who helps out at different times.

The shop has seen at least five additions over the years, as well as upgrades of equipment, including two smoke houses.

 

Products

Polashek’s Locker is known far and wide for all sorts of meat, but brats and snack sticks have got to be their best-sellers — especially with the summer barbecuing season coming up! Favorite flavors of brats are plain, omelette, pineapple and cheese. If those don’t get you ready for summer, there are 32 other flavors from which to choose.

You like macaroni and cheese? They’ve got a brat for that.

Pivo (Beer)? Yep.

Onion and bell pepper? For sure.

Mango habanero? Jasne (“Yes” in Czech!).

Adam said the Locker gets the idea for new flavors from a variety of sources — customers, spice companies or employees. Experimenting and taste-testing the product are the best parst!

One of his other favorite parts of his business is “working with the people. My least favorite? I don’t have one.”

 

Bizarre Foods

Polashek’s Locker is known world-wide after it was featured on a segment of Andrew Zimmerman’s Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel in February 2013.

The show made head cheese and jaternice (ee-turn-etsy) household names

Since then, the Locker has received lots of e-mails and calls. 

 

Where to get products

If you can’t make it to Protivin, a person can pick up products at their local stores in Allison, Anamosa, Aplington, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Clarion, Clear Lake, Cresco, Decorah, Denver, Elma, Fayette, Festina, Fort Atkinson, Fredericksburg, Greene, Grundy Center, Hawkeye, Hiawatha, Highlandville, Hudson, Independence, Lawler, Manchester, Marion, Marquette, Mason City, Monticello, New Hampton, North Liberty, Oelwein, Protivin, Ridgeway, Rockford, Rock Falls, Spillville, Traer, Waukon, Waverly and West Union.

If you haven’t stopped by to czech out all of the award-winning favorites yet, this is the perfect time. Or come any Saturday, which is always “Sample Saturday.” One of the hottest sells currently is a triple cheese snack stick.