WILBER - In November, Wilber Meat Market owner Terry Hynek announced on Facebook that the store would close on Nov. 16.

It didn't stay shut for long, though. Former Wilber mayor and state senator Russ Karpisek signed a lease for the property along with his wife, Jodi on Nov. 18.

Less than a month later, the market will reopen at 119 West 3rd in Wilber as "Karpisek's Market," with a soft opening set for Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Regular hours going forward will be Tuesday - Friday 9-6 and Saturdays from 9-2.

The Wilber Meat Market first opened in the late 1800s, and Karpisek is excited to bring back this staple of downtown Wilber.

"I think every business adds a lot, especially in a small town," he said. "For Wilber, we have two meat markets that are both very good. Most big towns don't even have one anymore, so we're very fortunate for that."

Frank's Smokehouse is about a block west in downtown Wilber on 3rd Street.

Karpisek's grandparents, Irvin and Ella, were longtime owners of the market. Karpisek first bought it in 1989 before selling it to Terry and Karmen Hynek in 2008. It was called "Karpisek's Market" from 1967 - 2008 until the Hyneks renamed it to "Wilber Meat Market."

The market will offer a variety of products, including Coarse Ground Wilber Wieners, Fine Ground Wilber Wieners, Cheese Wilber Wieners, Ring Bologna, Link Bologna, Polish Sausage, Jaternice (Czech sausage), Peppered Beef Jerky, Beef Sticks, Summer Sausage, lunch meats and more.

"The Wilber wieners are our calling card," Karpisek said. "Those are typically our best sellers."

Russ even brought a couple of the famous weenies to his grandmother, Ella, who's nearly 98 and living at the Wilber Care Center.

"She was pretty happy," he said. "She's very excited that it's coming back."

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @Tommy_NCN.