The story began in the early 1900s on Milton Avenue in the charming village of Ballston Spa, where William Littlestarted a small market, Little Country Market, that would lay the foundation for the family business. At the time, William could never have imagined that his venture would grow into a multi-generational legacy. In the 1920s, William’s son, John "Jack" Little, took over the business and ran it for many years. Jack’s sons—John, Quentin, and Daniel—could often be found working the counter and cutting steaks while not at school or on the farm.

Eventually, the market relocated to Front Street in Ballston Spa, where Quentin took charge, with Daniel rejoining after returning home from military service. This new chapter inspired Daniel Little to open his own store in 1982, just a few miles down the road in Malta, New York. With his wife Sandy, Daniel opened Just Meats in a small, unnamed strip mall at the intersection of Route 9 and Dunning Street. While the strip mall may not have had a name, it didn’t take long for the Little family’s reputation for quality meats and personalized service to spread by word of mouth.

Dan and Sandy had six children, five of whom worked at the market at various points in their lives. However, it was their sons, Mark and Matt, who found a true passion for the butcher trade. As kids, Mark and Matt would often be dropped off by the school bus at the Just Meats storefront, donning aprons and helping wherever needed. "I knew I loved working there when I was growing up, but it was never assumed any of us would take over the business," said Matt Little.

Fast forward 27 years, when Dan recognized the potential of the growing town and suggested to his sons that they make a bold move to a larger, more modern facility just a quarter-mile north on Route 9. This move became a pivotal moment in the business’s growth. “It was a family decision to move, and our father pointed us in the right direction,” said Matt. “He wanted to pass the torch to us before he passed.” Tragically, Daniel Little passed away in April 2008, but his legacy lives on every day within the walls of each Just Meats location.

While the Little brothers eventually moved on from the Route 9 location, they found new roots in Schuylerville and Greenwich, New York, where they opened two additional stores. At these locations, they’ve continued the family tradition, adorning the walls with yellowing photographs, aging meat cleavers, rusted antiques, and local Adirondack memorabilia. The décor gives the stores an authentic, old-school country butcher shop vibe—one that’s welcoming and warm, where everyone feels like family. A place where no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you look like, the butcher will remember not only your name but probably your kids’ names and maybe even the family dog’s.

In 2020, the Little family returned to their roots by opening a third location just a few miles north of where it all began on Route 9, proudly continuing the legacy of the historic DeLucia’s Grocery building, a Malta staple since the 1930s.

The Little family is deeply connected to their customers. “Customers come in with stories about our family that we've never heard before, and there’s just no way to describe how much that means to us,” shared Matt Little. The name Just Meats Deli and Market pays tribute to the long-standing tradition of quality, community, and family, and the Littles are excited to share that legacy with everyone who walks through their doors.

All of our markets are conveniently located near main roadways, and the Littles look forward to welcoming you soon. Stop in and enjoy a sandwich named after your favorite Adirondack lake, and experience the family’s love for the outdoors and the beautiful region they have been so fortunate to call home for generations.