Little General Stores Celebrates 50 Years of Serving West Virginia

BECKLEY, WV – Little General Stores is proud to announce its 50th anniversary of providing convenience, community, and quality service throughout West Virginia and neighboring states. Since its humble beginnings in 1975, the company has grown into a leading regional convenience and food service brand that remains deeply rooted in Appalachian values.

Founded by Harry Gilbert in 1975 as a complement to his fuel distributorship, Little General Stores has evolved significantly over the past five decades.  In 1999, Greg Darby, who had dedicated 19 years to the company, and Cory Beasley, who had already spent 6 years with the company, took ownership, taking the reins of daily operations and setting the stage for remarkable expansion.

Today, Little General proudly operates 115 convenience stores and 80 branded franchise restaurants across West Virginia, Virginia, and Ohio. The company also functions as a fuel distributor for Exxon, Marathon, with a select Sunoco location, and serves as a franchisee for beloved brands including Subway, Arby’s, Godfather’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Burger King, Dunkin’, Teriyaki Madness, and Buffalo Wild Wings GO.

“As someone who has spent all of my career with Little General, I am incredibly grateful to be part of a business that was born in West Virginia and continues to serve West Virginians every day,” said Greg Darby, President of Little General Stores. “Reaching our 50-year milestone is a testament to our team, our customers, and our unwavering commitment to Appalachia. We’re proud of our past, and we’re looking ahead with enthusiasm to more store openings and restaurant partnerships that will strengthen our presence and impact.”

Heading into the next chapter, Little General Stores remains focused on expanding its footprint with both convenience store openings and new restaurant partnerships. With continued investment in communities across the region, the company looks forward to creating more local jobs and delivering even greater access to quality food and service.

About Little General Stores
Founded in 1975, Little General Stores has grown from a small fuel distributorship into one of West Virginia’s foremost convenience retailers. Today, the company operates 115 locations and partners with major fuel brands and 80 food franchises to meet community needs — all while maintaining its Appalachian heritage and dedication to local service. For more information, visit lgstores.com.