By Kelly Wassenberg and Kylie Brown

MANCHESTER — Jordahl Meats in Manchester closed on July 4 after 70 years of service.

Opened in 1947 by his dad, Merle Jordahl, and uncle, Oscar Jordahl, Brian Jordahl worked at the business on and off ever since he was 8. It wasn’t until his father was about to retire that he considered making a career out of it. He took over as owner in 1980 after returning home from college.

Over the years he won many awards for his products, which included summer sausage, beef sticks, bratwurst and wieners. During his later years he stopped entering competitions, calling some of the contests beauty pageants.

“The look of the meat might get you to buy it the first time,” Jordahl said in an earlier interview. “But it’s the taste that will keep you coming back.”

In addition to offering his own line of products, Jordahl provided meat processing services on everything from cattle and hogs to wild game. His meat counter was filled with a variety of specialty products, meat, seafood and cheese, as well.

After serving the Manchester area for more than 37 years, Jordahl decided it was time to hang up his coat.

Jordahl said he has been trying to sell his business for two years, but with no interested buyers, he eventually decided to close. There were a combination of things that led to his decision.

“Me and my right hand girl that knew what to do when I was away, we are both having health issues,” Jordahl said.

A big push toward closing was the Minnesota Food Code. This law calls Jordahl Meats a restaurant, requiring it to change different things, including the floors.

“It was just the final straw,” Jordahl said.

Jordahl is selling his equipment, and once it is all sold he will try to sell the building.

He would like to thank all of the customers for the 70 years of business.