After 10 years, couple open jerky shop to show Here's The Beef
Mike Siroky - Greensburg Daily News

After 10 years of testing, planning and selling their product to friends and neighbors, Jennifer and Ron Hughes of Westport have established a storefront, “Westport Jerky” on Main Street.

The Independent Westport Area Business Association welcomed them with a grand-opening. The business is located directly across the street from the Post Office on Main Street (the old Hocker's Building).

Jennifer and Ron have four boys. Sixteen-year-olds Ben Tuttle and Derek Hughes — both attend South Decatur High School — and eight-year-old Austin and 12-year-old Steven Hughes.

Already, the business has attracted the interest of other independent businesses. Even a vending company has come calling.

For Jennifer, with her house full of boys and men, the nutritional value of jerky is what makes the most sense. With schools and other agencies nationwide searching for healthier snacks, she says jerky fills the bill.

“Everyone interested in nutritional benefits,” she said. “With 42 percent protein, it is better to grab a jerky than to grab a bag of chips.

“I have diabetes that runs in my family. Juvenile diabetes is on the rise. So why not reach for the protein and not the sugar. It is a good point in time for us to expand and see what the real interest is.”

It started when Ron was in Florida a decade ago.

“He tasted fabulous jerky there and it got him,” Jennifer said. “He’s been experimenting and testing with flavors for the past 10 years, been perfecting it.”

The perfect answer then, would be the Completely Original Dunes Backwoods Beef Jerky, which is the top-of-the-line offering. There is also Sweet Hickory, Teriyaki and Dunes Peppered.

“We specialize in the best beef, beef sirloin,” said Jennifer. “Then we add the all-fresh ingredients, seasonings, set it in marinade overnight, dry it, package it and sell it.” They buy their ingredients from another family-owned business in Ohio. If demand comes, they can also prepare deer (venison) jerky.

Prior to opening the storefront, Jennifer and Ron got a state license to sell their product. “That was important, because if you’re going to do it, do it right,” said Jennifer.

She has also incorporated her other business, NewWalls decorating, into the shop. A niece, Abigail Day, is on board to help run that.

Jennifer is concentrating on the jerky business for now.

“Our friends and family kept encouraging us, over and over, and it’s just logical to me,” she said of moving from a home-based business to a commercial outlet.

“With the license, the whole state is our stomping ground.

“And that’s no bull.”