LACROSSE, Wis. – Sausage maker Bakalars, a LaCrosse fixture since 1935, has acquired Tri-Star Foods of Minnesota. The deal includes Tri-Star’s Elliott Up North brand of bacon, hams, natural casing wieners, skinless hot dogs, summer sausages, cheese, semi-dry meats and sliced lunch meats. Terms were not announced. Mike and Bethany Bakalars said their LaCrose payroll, now 55 employees, will grow by 10. Meanwhile, the Elliot’s plant in Maple Grove, Minnesota, will continue in operation. Elliott’s products are distributed throughout Minnesota and in northern Wisconsin and the Michigan upper peninsula. Soon they will be on LaCrosse grocery shelves too, the Bakalars said.
Regional brands. Both product lines to continue.
