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From the beginning, it has always been about family. Three families. The need to feed the family and provide a service to the community was the motivating drive that emerged as Wells, Jenkins & Wells. It all started 35 years ago.
For themselves and for their neighbors, Grady Wells and his brother Billy did what they needed to do to “keep food on the table”. Together with a good friend, Earl Jenkins, who lived next door, they responded to the constant demand for butcher services. All three were very good at butchering. The only problem was that they did not have a plant. They began butchering in Earl’s basement. However, on April 15, 1970 they got caught. North Carolina state inspectors issued the Grady, Billy and Earl boys a “cease and desist” order. The inspectors informed them that if they didn’t want to go to jail, they needed to build a state approved facility for processing. The three partners decided, because of the demand and needs of the community, to build a plant. In the fall of 1975, the building was finally completed and approved by the state. The families and community got what they needed. Soon, the reputation of Wells, Jenkins & Wells spread through three states and to this day they are considered one of the best processing plants around.
Grady’s son, Jeffery grew up working side by side with his dad and partners and became the head butcher. Billy Wells’ daughter, Lori, married Jody Thompson and he also got heavily involved in the business in 1990. In 2006 he became a partner with Jeff Wells. Keeping the true spirit of the company, these two men have just made another giant step forward. As usual, they listened and have responded to the needs of the community.
About two years ago, they made a decision to separate the retail from the processing plant. They looked for a location and found it just down the road on Highway 221A. After completely remodeling the store, the retail division of Wells, Jenkins & Wells just recently opened. The signs say, “Wells, Jenkins & Wells” Fresh Meat Market. However, don’t let that fool you! What has emerged and keeps emerging is a store displaying fresh meats as well as a big display of anything you could want or need to go with your meat purchase. Charcoal, bread and buns, seasonings and sauces are available. They also carry an extensive inventory of country ham, fat back, pimento cheese, chili, deli meats, cheeses, an expanded fish selection and even frozen pizza. There is a full refrigerated case with special meat bundles packaged and ready to go. Bundles are priced from $50 to $145. The items available are now more than three times what they offered at the processing plant.
Here is the best part! Jeff and Jody have more than doubled their staff and created more jobs. That’s great news for job hungry Rutherford County. They also will quickly tell you that they will continue to listen to the community. Whatever the customers say they want, if possible, they will add to the new retail store. Their retail store should be a showcase of peoples needs and wants. Both Jeff Wells and Jody Thompson intend to make the store a family place and are committed to listening to their community. That may well be a novel approach in today’s merchandising world.
For both owners, it’s another step forward. Their philosophy is both refreshing and very welcomed. It is obvious that it’s still about family and the community.
