New Business Of The Year Meat & Greet in Burkeville was honored Saturday night by the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce. FROM LEFT: John “Adam” Roark, Jr. (meat cutter in training); Tyler Rhoten, part-time; Dallas Roark, manager, Dana Roark co-founder and “No. 1 cheerleader;” Samantha Kundman, marketing assistant. The company has endured the absence of co-founder John Roark, who continues to recover from a Feb. 9th stroke.
A Burkeville business was honored Saturday night by the Blackstone Chamber of Commerce with the New Business of the Year award.
Meat & Greet, which opened in December 2023, was saluted at the Chamber’s annual banquet and praised for “bringing fresh energy” and filling a need.
Co-founder John Roark, who continues to recover from a Feb. 9th stroke, was unable to attend but texted his appreciation: “It’s an honor just to be nominated. But to win an award of this magnitude is truly unbelievable! I thank God, my family, and all the loyal customers! Hopefully when I get back, we will make it even better. I still have a long road ahead, but God has me heading into a remarkable recovery. I’m sore, tired, and fatigued but that’s what I’m faced with for now — and all the folks in Nottoway and Lunenburg & surrounding counties have been great to my family. I will always be grateful for their kindness.”
Chamber Board member Sheldon Smith made the presentation to Roark’s family, who was on-hand for the banquet at the Cross-Thomas Event Center. Smith said the business provides “a growing and diverse selection of high-quality meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, and other essential items. They’ve addressed a crucial need in their community — offering products often difficult, if not impossible, to find in larger nearby towns like Farmville or even right here in Blackstone. This commitment to variety and quality has undoubtedly boosted local access to quality food and reduced the need for residents to travel outside the area.”
Meat & Greet, said Smith “is more than just a grocery store…On weekends, the store transforms into a lively gathering spot, hosting cooking fundraisers, community events, and casual get-togethers. It’s a place where neighbors connect, share stories, and build lasting relationships, fostering a strong sense of community spirit. This is exactly the kind of business that strengthens the bonds of our region.”
Roark and wife Dana were praised for supporting community events. During John’s medical absence, daughter Dallas and her boyfriend, Tyler, “steppedup with remarkable dedication and resilience, ensuring that Meat & Greet continued to serve the community without interruption.”
Smith said the business “is an exceptional example of a new business that has quickly become indispensable to our community. They are not just a business — they are a rapidly integrated cornerstone of the Burkeville community and a valuable asset to Nottoway County.”
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