Jennings Man Starts Business After Losing His Job During Pandemic

A meat market and butcher shop in Jennings hosted its grand opening Saturday. The owner said starting the business took a leap of faith.

"The furlough happened there in the end of April, early May. Without that situation happening, I probably would have never adventured out to do something different," said Remington.

Remington said he stopped working and had more time to notice things like the meat shortage in his area.

Jennings only has a Dollar General, and he said most people leave the town to buy meat and produce so he wanted to help solve that issue.

That is when he started R and D Meats.

"Being able to serve the community is another blessing for us. Being able to have the facility right here and the interlocal community is a big deal," said Remington.

The USDA-certified meat market employs 8 people full-time and processes at least 12,000 pounds of meat a week.

Remington said the meat is locally produced with beef coming from OSU-Stillwater and pork from Beard Brothers.

"Some people say, you know, you know where your animals come from, know where your meat comes from. We do," said Remington.

Today, the community gathered to celebrate the grand opening of R and D Meats.

Susan Mears was a first-time customer today and she said she will be back because of the quality.

"The freshness, instead of everything being hauled in by a truck," said Mears.

Remington said the support from the community has been amazing.

He's glad he followed his dream.

"It's been a blessing...it's been something that you could never thought could of happened. It's a dream come true," said Remington.