Jan and Lorren Weber of Mina, South Dakota, have been spreading South Dakota holiday cheer for 25 years through their business South Dakota Baskets Unlimited. And, this year, there are no signs that business will be slowing down.

“It is amazing how many things are right here (in South Dakota),” Jan Weber said.

South Dakota Baskets Unlimited creates gift baskets full of South Dakota-made products and sends them to all corners of the state and country. They operate the business out of their home and receive orders primarily online or over the phone. The gift baskets featuring products like elk and buffalo sausage have been sent to several states including California, Florida, and Alaska.

“I’ve never met a majority of them,” Weber said about many of her regular customers.

But, Jan feels like she personally knows most of the customers who usually call more around Christmas time than any other time of year. Weber said they do 65 percent of their business during the holidays.

“Now, it’s gotten to the point where it’s fun. It is this time of year they call up and I recognize their voices,” Jan Weber said.

Jan and Lorren took over the business in 1995 from a local Aberdeen real estate appraiser who was putting together the baskets on the side. The Webers operated South Dakota Baskets Unlimited out of a downtown Aberdeen storefront for 14 years before moving the business to their Mina home. They started the internet portion of the business before they even had a computer or a high-speed connection.

“It was slower than molasses in January,” Weber said about their first internet connection.

Jan and Lorren’s son put together the first website for the business as part of a school project and the internet sales for South Dakota Baskets Unlimited have grown from there.

“The business has been building up and the internet has been the better part,” Weber said.

The Webers source their products from across South Dakota. This year, they are adding Circus Wings Sauce from Aberdeen to their product list along with lotion from the Brookings area that is made from goat’s milk. Their most popular baskets are the ‘Midwest Meat and Cheese’ basket which features elk or buffalo sausage, and the ‘Dakota Gourmet’ basket that includes a whole 2.5-pound smoked pheasant.

“That’s always a hit because there is no other place to get them,” Weber said about the smoked pheasants they source from a business in Pierre. “It is something exclusive to South Dakota.”

Weber believes the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will only boost business as the holidays get closer. Many companies are canceling traditional holiday parties and searching for alternative ideas to show their appreciation for employees and clients.

“I’ve already gained two new corporates who have called me because of the virus,” Weber said.

And, when the phone rings, or the internet sale is made, Weber is ready to craft a custom basket full of products that will be a special holiday gift that is unique to South Dakota.

“Both of us were born and raised here in South Dakota and we just love to promote South Dakota,” Weber said.

VISIT THE SOUTH DAKOTA BASKETS UNLIMITED WEBSITE - SDBASKETS.COM - BY CLICKING HERE