Hamilton Packing is Business of the Year

Hamilton Packing Company has been named Business of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. The business, located at 692 Hwy 93 N in Hamilton, is owned by Jason and LaRynn Schlange.

The Schlanges purchased Hamilton Packing Company from Marty and Kim Auch in August of 2019, just a few short months before COVID-19 hit. They were able to weather the pandemic and even grow the business during that time.

Jason Schlange was born and raised in Northern California. He started in the meat business at 19, working at R&R Quality Meats & Seafood in Redding. He spent almost 20 years there, learning about the business from the bottom up. He started as a grinder, eventually became a manager and finally part owner. He says he developed a passion for the meat cutting business. It fit with his lifestyle as an outdoorsman, hunting and fishing. “I started there because I wanted to cut my own game,” he says.

Jason and LaRynn started visiting the valley about eight years ago. They realized they wanted something more country and rural and a better place to raise their two kids. Montana fit the bill and when Hamilton Packing came up for sale, they bought it.

“As Redding grew, I wanted to take it back a notch,” says Jason, “to a more country way of life, a more ‘old school’ place to raise our kids. The Auchs were selling out and it was a good fit for us.” The house right next to the shop was part of the deal and that makes it very convenient for the Schlanges. “It’s a blessing to be right here and able to focus on the business,” said Jason.

Jason says this type of shop is important for a community – “people need a place to have their game and livestock processed, and people want local meat.” He said that there was actually an uptick in business during 2020 as people became worried about food security during the pandemic.

He said they try to keep their products as local as possible. Sometimes, it’s just not possible. For example, there are only two tri-tips per beef, so he has to buy some beef from out of state, but he is careful where and whom he buys from. He said that as they grow, they are able to have even more local products on hand.

Jerky is still a signature product that was developed by the Auchs and has a great following. He has kept the Auch recipes but is also adding flavors of his own. He’s also adding other gourmet meat products, like pineapple-bacon brats, mango-habanero brats and honey pepper jerky, as well as pineapple teriyaki chicken thighs, a popular addition.

They cut, grind and wrap their beef and pork daily. All the burger is from local beef. They also custom cut steaks for the public on request. They also have a number of wholesale customers, supplying restaurants with local meat. Anyone is welcome to come in, for a bunch of burger patties or just one steak.

LaRynn mostly handles the office side of the business. The couple shares a commitment to making their business the very best it can be. “Quality and customer service at its best” is their motto. “If you can sustain that, says Jason, “you can succeed.”

Hamilton Packing Company will be honored at the Chamber awards banquet on May 22 at Bitterroot River Inn.