Headon’s has new owners

Hibshmans are local, plan to keep meat shop ‘business as usual’

Jeff Helfrich
Posted 5/10/21

Mark Hibshman and his son, Justin, officially purchased Headon’s on April 3 from Lyle Headon, who owned the business for 50 years.

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Headon’s has new owners

Hibshmans are local, plan to keep meat shop ‘business as usual’

Posted

ROCHELLE – Rumors that the new owners of Headon’s Fine Meats in Creston are getting rid of brats are unfounded. 

“That would be the dumbest thing we could do,” new owner Mark Hibshman said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of rumors going around that we’re going to change things. It’s completely the opposite.”

Hibshman and his son, Justin, officially purchased Headon’s on April 3 from Lyle Headon, who owned the business for 50 years. Headon sold it because he wanted to retire, Mark Hibshman said. 

The Hibshman family has lived in Creston since 2009 and owns Mark’s Stuff across the street from the butcher shop, which specializes in woodworking and other items. 

The name, meat, recipes, managers and butchers at Headon’s will remain the same. 

“It’s truly an honor to take it over,” Mark said. “Whoever took it over was going to take over the legacy. The employees are extremely happy. It’s business as usual. We can’t say enough good things about being able to do this.”

Any changes to the shop will be additions, a lot of which are in the works. An ice cream parlor has already been added inside, Justin said. 

The Hibshmans have experience in other business sectors like property management and manufacturing, but this will be their first go around with the meat business. They’ll have someone to learn from. 

“Lyle’s been doing this 63 years,” Mark said. “It will take a long time to learn his secrets. He still comes in and we communicate daily.”

Justin will be handing the day-to-day operations while Mark works on big picture tasks related to growing the business. 

Buying a business during the COVID-19 pandemic can be risky, Mark said. 

“But on the flip side Headon’s has such a great name and it’s one of those things, people always need to eat,” Mark said. “To buy a business that’s been around for 50 years is a lot less risky. 

“We’re not looking to buy it to resell or anything. He has two kids and we hope to keep it in the family for another 50 years.”