Hempler’s has grown over the years, but when we look back at our roots, not much has changed. We’re still the same small-town relationship-focused company we’ve always been. Because relationships are how Hempler’s started, grew, and continues to flourish.
Here’s a little story for you.
Hans Hempler worked in the family sausage business in Germany as a youngster. He served as an apprentice sausage maker and learned first-hand the family’s old secret recipes becoming a master sausage maker before moving to the United States. Hans came to the United States in 1928 and, in those early years, worked hard and saved his money. In 1934 he bought B.B. Meat and Sausage Co. (now Hempler Foods Group) and later in the 1960’s Hans’ son, Richard (Dick) Hempler, would begin his journey in the family business learning all of the family recipes and traditions from his father. Just like his father in those early years, Dick worked hard and saved his money and eventually bought out his father’s business partner in the late 1970’s.
In the early 1980’s a young man by the name of Stephen Bates would begin his career in the meat industry at B&B Sausage which sparked the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Dick Hempler. Stephen Bates helped lead the initiative to rename the company Hempler’s as well as establish the Hempler’s brand in the Northwest marketplace. Hempler’s continued to make strides as a regional brand with a retail store at the F Street plant as well as distribution with a number of Northwest retailers and restaurants. The first retailer to carry Hempler’s products was the Meridian Street Haggen in Bellingham. Don Haggen and Dick Hempler went to school together!
Relationships helped launch our company and relationships continue to help it grow. We work hard to maintain relationships based on trust and respect with our retail partners, local community organizations, and our customers. Thank you for being part of the ongoing Hempler’s story!