By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
After many years in their home base of Liebenthal, Pat’s Beef Jerky has opened a retail store in Hays.
The new store, 2514 Vine St., Ste. 3, is inside Centennial Plaza mall. Enter at the door south of Sherwin-Williams.
The store opened Friday. Exterior signage is still in the works. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, but are subject to change.
The Hays store can be reached at 785-656-2613. You can also follow Pat’s on Facebook.
Pat Carver has been making his world-famous beef jerky for 28 years.
Among his customers have been NBA and NFL players and Tiger Woods’ caddy. Pat’s has even shipped to the White House.
Despite a healthy online business, the majority of Pat’s business is walk-in traffic to the tiny store at the front of business’ commercial kitchen on U.S. 183 in Liebenthal.
“We have a lot of customers from Hays who like our jerky, and they would buy more of it if they didn’t have to go down south to get it,” he said.
You still will be able to buy Pat’s Jerky in your favorite locations, including the Liebenthal plant and Cervs and Southside Convenience in Hays.
The new store in Hays will carry everything the store in Liebenthal carries. This includes several flavors of jerky, beef sticks, summer sausage, bologna, sausage, Hot Mama’s Pickled Sausages, spices, homemade noodles and cheese.
All of the beef products are made in Liebenthal.
Pat’s will have a hot dog roller, so you can pick up one of their own homemade hot links or polish sausage for lunch or dinner along with a cold beverage, chips or a candy bar.
The Carvers are considering bringing in other Kansas-made products, such as cookie dough and pies.
The store will carry premade gift-baskets all year round. You can also have a basket especially made for the holidays. The baskets will start at about $25. You can also pick up Pat’s sweatshirts or “Got Jerky” T-shirts.
Eventually, the Carvers plan to move shipping for their operation to Hays. This will allow the staff in Liebenthal to concentrate on making products.
Pat said he prides himself on keeping his inventory fresh, so he doesn’t keep a large inventory on the shelf. If you are planning a large order, he urged you to call ahead.
The Carvers are planning a grand opening the weekend after Thanksgiving — Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24. The store is planning discounts and a prize drawing.
“If they haven’t tried our product, now is the time to stop in and try it out,” Pat said.