Josh Paskert knows he's in the right place.

Thanks to a passion for meat and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, the rural Everly man recently took a leap of faith by purchasing Nelson Locker in Hartley from Bryan and Jodene Nelson. The longtime business owners were ready to retire, and Paskert saw the opportunity of a lifetime.

"It's something I always really enjoyed and wanted to get back into doing," he said. "I'm really excited. I think maybe I'm already taking on more than I should, but I'm ready to get going."

Paskert isn't new to the butchery game. He previously worked at Carstensen's Meat and Grocery in Lake Park for around 10 years when he was younger, but more recently served as a hired man for a local farmer.

Paskert took ownership of the locker on April 1. The local shop was owned and operated by the Nelson Family since 1963 – first Jim and Ila Nelson and later by their son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Jodene.

The family was thrilled to pass the business on to someone with an eye to the future.

"It's wonderful," said Jim. "It really is great to see it."

The name of the business will remain unchanged under Paskert's ownership. His immediate plans include expanding the retail side of the shop so customers can purchase meat there.

"That will be my primary focus right away," he said. "I'm excited to meet our customers and grow the business."

Paskert spent the past month learning the ropes from the Nelsons when his schedule allowed. Since he's no stranger to meat cutting, things have been going smoothly.

"I'm pretty freshened up on it," he said.

The Nelsons' daughter, Brooke, was retained on staff full time following the transition of ownership. Paskert plans to employ a small crew of part-time workers as well.

Paskert and his wife, Jennifer, have three grown children and live between Everly and Lake Park. He was eager to meet the Hartley community and pick up where the Nelsons left off.

"This is a great opportunity and I'm ready," he said.