Locals Will and Debbie Jordan had been farming for 29 years when they decided it was time for a change.

“He [Will] has been doing the deer processing for four years,” Debbie said, “and when we decided to expand … he just prayed about it, and this was the direction we felt the Lord was leading us. That is when we sold our farm, and expanded into a meat market.”

On Aug. 1, Diamond J Meat Market & Deer Processing opened its doors for business. It’s a small metal building on Hwy. 84. The walls inside are lined with freezers full of food – and not just meat. Beyond the cash register is a room where the real work of a meat market happens. Debbie said Will had a particular talent making sausages, and all that is done in the building.

Both of the Jordans’ parents had experience running some kind of grocery store, but before trying to start their own, the Jordans said they spent two years trying out other meat markets in Mississippi and Louisiana, looking for ideas.

“We try not to to carry products that we wouldn’t enjoy ourselves,” Debbie said.

Diamond J Meat Market & Deer Processing is family owned and operated. Debbie said that family has been hugely important to the store. Debbie herself works in education, but comes by to help out after work. There are other family members at the meat market with a similar schedule, just coming by to help when time allows.

“Our entire family –  the support they have given us is unbelievable,” Debbie said.

The meat market closes at 6, but the Jordans said it was rare for them to leave that early.

“If someone drives up here and we’re still here, we’re going to open our doors,” Debbie said.

The Diamond J Meat Market & Deer Processing is located just east of the intersection of Hwy. 84 and E. Lincoln.

“We hope to provide the community a service that they can benefit from and enjoy,” Debbie said.