Our History…

August, John, Ruben, and Cathy… four generations of authentic artisans of handcrafted sausages and smoked meats. From a modest beginning, great grandfather August struggled without electricity, using an ice-filled meat case, to provide the community with traditional homeland meats. Decades later, with the help of modern technology and years of hard work, Cathy now sells her products worldwide and to some famous customers, such as making jerky deliveries to Aerosmith at Minneapolis concerts. Many of August’s original recipes are still being used today as well as new recipes being developed in our spice room. Tradition is our continued passion, while adopting current philosophies of local sustainability and natural products brings us into the future.

Wilber Thurk, the local blacksmith, handcrafted our three original iron smokehouses which are still being used today. Sausages are loaded onto poles and hand lifted into iron cages hanging above actual apple, cherry, and sugar maple wood fires.

 

Committed to local sustainability and community stability, Mackenthun’s welcomes local suppliers such as:

  • Dr. Don & Mary Somers: Maple syrup artisans
  • Donna Franz of At The Farm: Organic egg farmer
  • Scott Herrmann: All natural, pure honey producer
  • Brian Ames of Ames Honey Farm: Unique, single source honey producer
  • Ann of Secret Garden: Purveyor of all natural jams, wild rice soups and mixes
  • Scott Salonek: Raising premium elk
  • Steve Schalwig: Local producer of antibiotic, steroid and hormone free angus beef
  • Clark & Kathy Machtemes of East Bay Sugarbush: Local maple syrup from the Lake Waconia area
  • John Peterson of Ferndale Market: Free range turkey
  • As well as many, many other local crafters!

Ruben Mackenthun & Martha Mackenthun

Owners from 1955-1981

Cathy Mackenthun

Current owner since 1981

Ruben and Martha established Mackenthun’s of St. Bonifacius in 1955. Working along side her Dad, Cathy learned the family trade and since Ruben’s death in 1979, she combines old traditions with new visions. When Cathy purchased the store in 1981, she was one of only a handful of female meat cutter/sausage makers across the country. Her story was featured on the Kare 11 TV news program along with an article written by Jim Jones of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Mackenthun’s meats are well known throughout the country. Local Minneapolis radio personality Tom Bernard, and cohost Terri Traen, of KQRS often mention how much they love our store.