Passing on a tradition

The sound of Czech music and the distinct aroma of bratwurst and Polish sausage from the little meat market, located on Third Street of Wilber, has become a traditional part of the community.

A tradition that Russ Karpisek and his wife, Jill, were part of for 20 years as they trekked down to the small meat market to sell numerous homemade meats and traditional Czech specialties, including the famous Wilber Wiener, Karpisek said.

The Karpiseks took ownership of the Wilber business in 1989, he said. He had purchased the family-owned business after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in business administration from his grandmother, Ella Karpisek.

Karpisek’s grandparents, Irvin and Ella Karpisek, had bought the long-time Wilber business and the recipes in 1967 from the Apfelbeck family, he said. The Apfelbeck family established the business back in the 1890s.

When it came time to sell the market, Karpisek’s grandmother attempted to sell the store twice, he said. But, she was unsuccessful. When she went to sell the store for the third time, Karpisek was ready to purchase it.

He had come to know the store well in the years since his grandparents owned it, especially considering his grandmother would baby-sit him down at the store, he said.

“I was here more than I was home,” he said.

Even in college, Karpisek would spend some of his weekends and summers helping out in the store.

After college, it was a big year for Karpisek. He bought the store and a year later he married Jill.

Jill was only going to help out in the store for a little while until they got started, he said jokingly. But, as it happened, Jill would stay on for 20 years working along side of him.

For the first few years, the Karpiseks would put in long hours. It was not unusual in the first few years to work 80 hours a week in the store. Jill would work about 60 hours a week.

At the store, Karpisek continued to sell the Czech specialty meats, he said. All of the meats were store recipes and made right there at the store, he said. It was a tradition they were glad to uphold in a Czech community.

“You have to have those Czech traditional things,” he said. “Otherwise why would they come to a Czech market if they didn’t have those Czech things.”

Wilber residents and visitors would often come to the market to purchase the Czech specialties, including the famous Wilber Wiener, Jelita and Jaternice, he said.

“We’ve been fortunate,” Karpisek said. “A lot of things have been niche markets, so, people come from out of town.”

“Plus, the local people have been good about being loyal.”

A couple of months ago, the Karpiseks decided it was time to sell the store and move on to something different.

It would not be easy to leave a business that they were a part of for so long. But, they also knew it wouldn’t be easy to find a buyer.

After serving as the mayor of Wilber for 12 years, Karpisek said he knew the importance of community and keeping their business community alive. He didn’t want to see the market close if they were unable to find a buyer.

Fortunately for Karpisek, long-time friend and employee Terry Hynek and his wife, Carmen, were willing to purchase the store.

Hynek said it was a natural fit for him as he had come to know and love the store as much as Karpisek did and wanted to carry on the Czech tradition, he said. 

“Basically showing what Wilber is all about, the Czech heritage and making the Czech products,” Hynek said. “Just for the fact to carry on the business that (Karpiseks) family started and carry on the tradition of the Czech products.”

“I’m very proud of our heritage.”

Hynek said the decision to buy the market was also a family decision for him. He talked it over with his wife and stepchildren.

“I said if they would take on the challenge with me, we’re good to go,” he said. “It has definitely brought us closer as a family.”

Under the new ownership, Hynek said customers will see a change in the name, Wilber Meat Market, and a few efficiency changes to better serve the customer. But, customers can expect the same traditional products.