What's Happening: Orrell's sold to Texas company for millions, will change its name

Here's What's Happening in Davidson County: A nearly 70-year-old local food service company has been sold for millions to a Texas company and will change its name; three local nonprofits will stage a Pride event in Lexington on June 10; summer movie schedule for children set at Lexington Cinemas.

A Fort Worth, Texas, company has purchased the Orrell's Cold Storage and Food Storage in Linwood for $6.35 million, according to a recent Davidson County Register of Deeds filing Friday.

The acquisition of Orrell's allows Ben E. Keith Foods, a broad line food service distributor, to continue its expansion into North Carolina, said Mike Sweet, president of Ben E. Keith Foods.

Ben E. Keith Foods will retain all current employees, according to Sweet. Keith Swan, a 20-year veteran of Ben E. Keith Foods, has been named general manager and relocated from the Ben E. Keith Southeast Division to Linwood to assume his role effective immediately. Casey Dorrill, current director of purchasing at the Southeast Division, has been named assistant general manager of the Southeast and will assume her new duties effective July 1.

In addition, the Linwood distribution division will be renamed Ben E. Keith Foods — Carolina Division in the coming months.

The properties purchased are at 9827 N.C. Highway 150 South and are a combined 5.56 acres.

Orrell's Cold Storage was founded in 1954 in Davidson County by the brothers Herman and Roy Orrell, according to information on the company's website. Currently, Orrell's serves customers in Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Raleigh/Durham and Charlotte markets as well as southern Virginia.

"The Orrell family is honored to be a part of the Ben E. Keith Foods strategic market expansion," said Tony Orrell, president of Orrell's Food Service. "As two family-owned businesses, both companies strive to be trusted partners and bring value to our customers and suppliers. The investments in our facilities, and the expansion of our product offerings and resources for our customers, will ensure a future of continued success."

The Orrells’ first 800-square-foot facility in Davidson County offered custom butchering and processing of beef and pork. Within a couple of years Herman purchased Roy's interest in the business and in 1962 was joined by his son, Tony, who is president and CEO of Orrell's Food Service today.

The company was incorporated in 1979 and began manufacturing and selling beef products. Orrell's has grown over the years, adding new services, facilities and products.

In 1981, Herman Orrell decided to retire, and Tony and the late Judy Orrell took over.

A 6,000-square-foot new food service warehouse opened in late 1984 adjacent to the processing plant. In March 1987, Orrell's became a Pocahontas Foods USA distributor and in May discontinued custom butchering.

Established in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1906, Ben E. Keith Foods is the nation's fifth largest broad line food service distributor and operates today with 10 divisions shipping to 19 states throughout the country.

Pride A|T 202 will take place at Arts Davidson County from noon to 4 p.m. June 10.

This free community event will feature food trucks, cider, beer, non-alcoholic drink options, vendors, photo ops, fun activities, and more. The event is primarily inside with a small portion outside (weather permitting). That being said, please leave pets at home.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month and is dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride. Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots in New York, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969, and has since spread outside of the United States.

Arts Davidson County, PFLAGlexingtonnc and Lexington Pride are organizing the event, which will take place at 202 N. Main St.

Vendors and information booths that will set up are TRUE — The Real U Everyday, Family Services of Davidson County, Sara's Creations, Melanated-Perspective, Little and Big Crochet, Davidson DCSS, Pig City Books, Anything For Our Youth, Merle Norman, Al Jones artwork, First Reformed United Church of Christ in Lexington, Sinister Sisters, Libertarian Party Of Davidson County, Rabble and Rise Baking Co., The Funk!, PFLAG, Blond Dog Photography/S. Stowe Music, REV UP NC and Odd Flora.

Entertainment will be provided by Chris Kiser, piano; Sam Stowe, acoustic, Saniya Chanel Iman, drag; Inna Propers, drag and LaytoyaShaun JaydeAddams, drag.

The California Grill Food Truck will be there.

Bull City Ciderworks will sell pride flights, with $1 per flight donated to an LGBTQ+ organization. Goose and the Monkey Brew House will be sell its Lupita's Lime Lager, with $1 per lager going to Lexington Pride.

Children can attend 12 free summer movies at Lexington Cinemas.

The movies will be shown over 11 weeks on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Admission is first-come, first-served.

The first free film will be "Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse" on June 13, 14 and 15. Some other movies that will be shown include "Paddington," "Minions," "DC Superpets," "Croods 2." Visit the Lexington Cinemas Facebook page to see the complete list of movies and dates.

Lexington Cinemas is at 235 N. Talbert Blvd. A kids drink and popcorn will be available for purchase for $6.50.

Jill Doss-Raines is The Dispatch trending topics and personality profiles senior reporter and is always looking for tips about businesses and entertainment events, secret and new menu items and interesting people in Davidson County. Contact me at [email protected].