Are you ready for the Roots experience?

Patrick Friend is a name synonymous with top quality meat throughout Vryheid, and it should come as no surprise that this 'meatmaster' is continuing to bring even more to the community

November 15, 2019

Vryheid Herald 2 minutes read

“A building is just a monument. Without the people who strive for excellence, the loyal, competent and happy staff, it is nothing,” said Patrick Friend.
Patrick Friend is a name synonymous with top quality meat throughout Vryheid, and it should come as no surprise that this ‘meatmaster’ is continuing to bring even more to the community, with the opening of Roots at 119 East Street. On November 8, with the grand opening of the butchery just over the horizon, friends, family, suppliers, staff and shareholders were invited to attend an evening of gratitude, where Patrick Friend seized the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to making the Roots dream a reality.
Patrick Friend described his staff as ‘a team he would take into battle any day’ and extended his gratitude to those in attendance for their input, dedication and, perhaps jokingly, their patience with him as he worked towards his goal. “I’d like to apologise to my family and friends,” he said during his speech on Friday night. “Roots is all I’ve been talking about for a while now. I feel like the space between my ears has been filled with Roots and I thank my friends and family for their patience with me.”
During his speech, he also paid tribute to the late Walter Thiele, who was a great source of encouragement to Friend as he realised the Roots dream. “Walter was not only my partner, he was also my friend, my confidante… I only wish he was here to share this moment with us,” he stated, also acknowledging the presence of the Thiele family and thanking them for their input.
Guests were invited to take a tour of the store and enjoy a fantastic spread of hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. “What we aim to achieve with the introduction of the Roots franchise to Vryheid, is to offer our clients an upmarket experience that suits their budget,” he elaborated. “At Meatmasters, we have a purpose and that is to go the extra mile… We’re a bit eccentric like that.” Fitted with what has been described as the ‘Rolls Royce of refrigeration systems’, Roots will not only offer clients the assurance of quality through its state of the art storage and cold room facilities, but also a wide variety of grocery items too.