After three years on High St and a huge investment in their butchery, Pat and John Shannon are closing the doors on the Meat Company Dannevirke this month.
"It's a shame, but John's health is our top priority, so closing the doors hasn't been a hard decision," Mrs Shannon told the Dannevirke News.
"We've some absolutely wonderful, customers who have been loyal, through and through, but John needs to get off his legs and go from working seven days a week to four or five days. If we don't take this step he will be stuffed.
"Three years ago it cost us a hell of a lot more money than we were expecting to set up here when we had to buy new machinery, but health comes first. Our customers have all said they'll miss us, but understand why we've made this decision."
Cybol Russell, a mother of four, has been a regular since the business opened.
"I'm so upset the shop is closing," she said. "I shop here because of the quality of the meat. I find when I cook the mince from here, no fat comes out."