Meet the father and son duo that have been feeding the mouths of the wider Newtownabbey community for over 20 years.
Raymond Millar Snr and his son, also called Raymond, own The Butchers Monkstown and have been supplying top quality meat with top quality customer service to match since they were established in 1998.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Raymond Jnr said: "My dad started the business in 1998 and I sort of came alongside him when I came out of school to give him a hand and I've just recently taken over three years ago now.
"Myself and my wife have stepped in for mum and dad so it is family-run and family-orientated -recently we actually moved house from Lisburn to the area so that we could throw ourselves more into work and the community.
"We thought it would make more sense for us to be over here so that we could give the shop more than 110% and it really has been so much better family-wise."
Raymond Snr is set to retire at the end of March and although his son says "no one could fill his boots", he hopes to be able to build upon the business and relationship with the local community that his father has been so proud of over the last two decades.
"We want to keep the shop going from strength to strength because before Covid, things were actually a bit quiet but because of the pandemic, it really has excelled things and we were quite lucky that we were able to invest money into a van, website and app.
"It's trying to add on to what we offer and getting our name out there in the area to show people we are here - I've had people seeing the van on the street and contacting asking if we can come to them the next time we are out," Raymond explained.
He stressed the importance of the family-run independent businesses in the wider Newtownabbey area and across NI and how appreciative they are of the community's support since opening.
Raymond continued: " Supermarkets are killing things for the smaller shops and although it may be handy to go to one and pick up everything in one place, you don't get that personal touch - we get to know our regulars, get to know what they want week in, week out and sometimes people just come in for a chat.
"We would have a lot of regulars that will come in at the same time every day and we know that they are going to be standing here chatting for 40 minutes but I think it's the personal aspect that other places lack now."
Even with the competition from larger stores and supermarket giants in the area, he is still determined to be able to offer discounts and bargains for those who may be struggling and give back to the local community who have continued to support them over the last 23 years.
"We love to give something to the community because they are here all year supporting me and it's only right to do something for them through a few wee offers - competition is everywhere but competition is good to keep us on our toes," he added.
"At the end of the day, if you are there for your community, they will be there for you.
"The local area is great - they are friendly, genuine people. They aren't false, a spade is a spade and they will tell you exactly what they want and we will be able to give it to them.
"I would rather be supporting the local people than the likes of some bigger companies who are just out to make a quick buck but it's much nicer to serve the pensioner around the corner and be there for what they want and need."
During the peak of the pandemic, Raymond and his father went above and beyond to have toilet roll and rice in the store to reduce contact for people scared to go into larger stores to make things more convenient during the uncertainty.
He said: "We'd be lost without the local community and it wasn't for Monkstown, Newtownabbey, Jordanstown we wouldn't be here this long and we are so lucky.
"I hope to be here the same length of time, if not longer, than my dad because there really is a great sense of community."
Raymond says the shop has "changed dramatically" since his father first opened the doors but they have always done their best to keep up with the changing shopping habits to deliver top quality service in the area.
"I would like it to continue to grow for the community - not necessarily make the shop bigger but definitely make it busier.
"My wife and I have always had a five-year plan but because of Covid, our goals were almost achieved in three because of the van, app and the social media so it has excelled on what we wanted to do sooner," he added.
"We moved over here so the people in the community could get to know us more - my kids now go to the local schools and it's nice to see them welcome me and my family more than just as a business owner in the shop. They now know me as Raymond who lives around the corner and it's great to have the locals behind us."
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