Walk into the tiny village of Renner, South Dakota, and you’ll find yourself in a place where the population barely cracks triple digits. It’s quiet. But there’s one spot where the gravel lot stays busy, even when the wind is whipping across the Minnehaha County plains. We’re talking about the Renner Corner Locker, or as locals mostly call it, Renner Corner Meats. It isn't just a place to buy a gallon of milk; it’s a meat-processing institution that has survived for nearly a century.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a time capsule.
While big-box grocery stores in Sioux Falls keep expanding, people still make the ten-minute drive north for something they can’t find in an aisle with fluorescent lighting. They want the family recipe jerky. They want the custom processing. Basically, they want to know their butcher by name.
The Long Road from Gas Station to Meat Powerhouse
Renner Corner didn't start as the specialized meat hub it is today. In the early 1930s, it was just a roadside stop across the street from where it sits now. Bill Corbett built the current structure in the 40s. Back then, it was your typical rural lifeline: gas, groceries, and a bit of gossip.
By 1950, Mort Sorum and Harold Zebell took over. Mort eventually bought Harold out, passing the torch to his son Dean Sorum and his wife Sandy in 1967. This is where the magic really happened. Under the Sorums, the "locker" part of the business became the star of the show. It morphed through phases—ice cream shop, post office (which lasted 25 years before closing), and gas station—but the meat processing is what stuck.
Today, the operation is still a family affair, known for having staff like Manager Mike Eggers and Assistant Manager Jon Siemonsma who have been around long enough to remember the "old days." It's that kind of longevity that builds trust. You don't stay in business for 70+ years by selling mediocre bacon.
What Most People Get Wrong About Renner Locker
Some folks think a "locker" is just a warehouse for frozen meat. Not quite. The renner locker renner sd experience is a mix of retail and custom services that you just don't see much anymore.
A lot of visitors walk in expecting a standard convenience store. They’re usually shocked by the depth of the meat counter. We’re talking hand-cut steaks, marinated chicken breasts that weigh as much as a small turkey, and home-cured hams.
The Custom Processing Side
If you’re a farmer or someone who buys half a cow, this is where the heavy lifting happens. They handle:
- Beef & Hogs: Whole, half, or quarter processing.
- Buffalo & Lamb: Not every butcher will touch a buffalo, but they do.
- Wild Game: This is a massive part of their identity.
During deer season, the place is a beehive. They have a strict "you get your own meat back" policy for whole-animal processing, which is a big deal for hunters who take pride in their harvest. The only time meat is commingled is for large batches of summer sausage or jerky.
The Jerky That Built a Reputation
If you ask ten people why they stop at the Renner Corner, nine of them will mention Dean’s Beef Jerky. It’s the stuff of legends around southeast South Dakota. It’s not that thin, leathery junk you find at a truck stop.
The Renner style is sliced, not pressed or formed. It’s 100% American beef, hand-crafted from a family recipe that they finally started shipping nationwide because people kept pestering them. They have varieties like Original, Teriyaki, Peppered, and Maple Jalapeño.
It’s expensive. People complain about the price sometimes. But then they buy three bags.
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Why? Because it’s a "clean" product compared to the mass-produced stuff. It’s high protein, low carb, and doesn't taste like chemicals. It tastes like wood smoke and salt.
Navigating the Local Controversy
Look, no local business is without its critics. If you spend enough time on local forums or Reddit threads, you’ll see the "Locker Throwdown" debates.
Some locals feel that as Sioux Falls has grown, the "small-town" service at Renner has hit some bumps. You'll hear stories about long waits for deer processing or prices that have "gone to the moon." There's also the occasional grumble about the shop's personality; it’s a gritty, old-school butcher shop. It isn't a polished corporate environment.
But for every person who says they’ve switched to a locker in Hudson or Howard, there are fifty more who swear by Renner’s marinated chicken and the "kinda like a potato chip" addiction of their beef sticks.
A Vital Link for the Community
One thing that doesn't get enough press is how the locker supports the region. During the height of the 2020 pandemic, when national meatpacking plants were shuttering and grocery shelves were empty, Renner Corner was one of the few places where you could actually get fresh protein. They saw a massive boom because they aren't reliant on the same massive supply chains as the big players.
They also have a soft spot for the military. The "Eye on Keloland" features have highlighted how they’ve sent meat products to troops overseas, making a big impact for such a small-town operation. It’s that neighborly vibe—like when they donated liver for a local non-profit "liver feed"—that keeps the community loyalty high.
What to Know Before You Go
If you’re planning a trip to the renner locker renner sd, don’t just wing it.
First off, the retail hours and the meat pickup hours are different. You can usually grab snacks and gas throughout the day, but if you’re picking up a custom order, they generally stick to an 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM window on weekdays and a very short Saturday morning window (8:00 AM to 11:00 AM).
Pro Tip: If you’re coming from out of state (looking at you, Minnesota and Iowa neighbors), bring a cooler. Their bundles—like the Beef Bundle #1 or the Pork Bundle—are a great way to stock a freezer, but you don't want $200 worth of ribeyes sweating in your trunk for an hour.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Try the Marinated Chicken: It’s a sleeper hit. Most people go for the jerky, but the marinated breasts are massive and save a ton of time on dinner.
- Check the Jerky "Best By" Dates: They give a 12-month shelf life, but if you want the best texture, keep it in a cool, dark place. Don't leave it on your dashboard in the South Dakota sun.
- Call Ahead for Bundles: Don't just show up expecting a 20lb beef bundle to be sitting on the counter. Call 605-332-0214 to see what's in stock.
- Wild Game Prep: If you're bringing in a deer, make sure it's field-dressed properly. They reserve the right to refuse trim that hasn't been handled right.
- Don't Forget the Dog: They sell smoked dog bones and treats. Your pup will thank you.
The Renner Corner Locker remains a cornerstone of South Dakota food culture because it refuses to change too much. In a world of digital everything, there’s still something deeply satisfying about walking into a shop that smells like hickory smoke and coming home with a brown paper package of the best steak you've ever had.