ROANOKE, Va. – A downtown favorite is getting new leadership while keeping its familiar feel.
After more than 15 years, Fork in the Market founders Dave and Ann Trinkle have handed ownership of the popular gathering spot to longtime General Manager Brandon Blevins.
“Yesterday, I was the general manager. Today, I’m the owner,” Blevins said.
The transition was as much a celebration as it was a milestone. The Trinkles made the handoff official with a torch-passing ceremony, surrounded by cheering regulars, staff and fellow business owners.
“We’re lucky that a manager like Brandon that’s been here for such a long time is taking it over, keeping the legacy going,” the Trinkles said.
The couple acknowledged the moment carried some emotion but said there was no doubt Blevins was the right choice.
“It’s a tiny bit bittersweet, but it’s definitely going to be left in the best hands. So, we’re excited for us and for him,” they said.
More than just a bar
Those closest to Fork in the Market say the venue has always been something greater than the sum of its parts. Bartender Annika Gepitulan said the staff dynamic makes the ownership transition feel deeply personal.
“We are all such a family down here and to be able to support our friend but also show up and be a part of it as well makes it so much more special,” Gepitulan said.
That sentiment is shared by the regulars who have made Fork in the Market a second home. Regular Amie Ayers described what keeps her coming back.
“I love that it is so casual and accepting of all walks of life... we all fit in together no matter your background or where you come from and it just feels like home,” Ayers said.
Former General Manager DJ Hines said the bar has long served as common ground for Roanoke’s restaurant community and beyond.
“Everyone from all the other restaurants come and hang out here... and it’s also open to anybody. It’s a bunch of different types of people getting together. It’s a melting pot,” Hines said.
What’s next
Blevins says he plans a few small updates for the restaurant, but nothing significant in the near term. His primary goal is to preserve the welcoming, community-driven atmosphere that has defined Fork in the Market since it first opened its doors.