The Butcher’s Market Named 2025 Retailer of the Year by the NC Retail Merchants Association

RALEIGH, NC (November 7, 2025) – The Butcher’s Market has been named a 2025 Retailer of the Year, one of two leading businesses to receive the honor from the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA). The awards were presented during NCRMA’s Annual Retailer of the Year awards dinner held November 4 at The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in Winston-Salem.

In 2010, father-and-son duo Craig and Derek Wilkins opened their first franchise location of The Meat House butcher shop chain in Cary, NC. Just one year later, they expanded with a second store in Midtown Raleigh. In 2013, they separated from The Meat House brand and reintroduced their stores under a new name—The Butcher’s Market.

Since then, the Wilkins family has grown The Butcher’s Market into a thriving, family-owned business with seven retail locations—four across the Triangle and two in Wilmington—with an eighth facility recently converted to support their expanding catering operations.

Over the past 15 years, The Butcher’s Market has earned a reputation for offering a premium selection of meats, prepared foods, and locally sourced products. They pride themselves on delivering quality, convenience, and personalized service, making their stores a destination for food lovers seeking exceptional ingredients and flavorful, ready-to-cook options. Their website also provides recipes and how-to videos to help customers prepare their selections for maximum enjoyment.

Community support is a core value for The Butcher’s Market. As a locally owned business, they believe deeply in giving back to the communities where they live, work, and play. Their charitable efforts focus on improving the health and well-being of individuals facing hunger, illness, financial hardship, or domestic abuse.

Recent philanthropic initiatives supported by The Butcher’s Market include:

• March of Dimes chapters in Wake County and Wilmington
• The Catfish Classic supporting ALS research
• Donation of 1,000 pounds of hand-twisted sausage for The Miracle League’s Oktoberfest fundraiser
• The Pretty in Pink Golf Tournament for breast cancer research
• CORRAL Riding Academy, which provides equine therapy for adolescent girls in high-risk situations
• “Dinner Under Your New Roof,” provided to veterans receiving new roofs through A&M Roofing
• And many additional charitable partnerships

As most independent retailers know, starting and growing a family-owned business is no small feat. The Butcher’s Market stands as a true success story—in business, in community, and in family.

Alongside The Butcher’s Market, Steelman’s Ace Hardware was also recognized as a 2025 Retailer of the Year by NCRMA.