Rouses Timeline

1923-Present

Anthony J. Rouse, Sr., started with one store in Houma, Louisiana, back in 1960.

Rouses Markets is now one of the largest independent grocers and fastest growing family owned companies in the United States. 

Donny Rouse is the current CEO; he is the third generation to run the company.

More than 7,000 employees serve customers across three states: Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

There are 66 stores: 53 in Louisiana, five on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and eight in Lower Alabama

In 2020, Rouses Markets celebrated its 60th anniversary

In 2023, the company marked 100 Years of City Produce. City Produce is the first company that the Rouse family started after arriving in America from Sardinia.

In 2024, Rouses Markets was named a Top Independent in the country by Progressive Grocer magazine.

In 2025, Rouses Markets celebrates its 65th anniversary.

 

1923

J.P. Rouse opens the City Produce Company in Thibodaux. The company sorts, packs and ships fresh Louisiana produce all over the country for sale in supermarkets as far away as Alaska.

1954

As soon as he is old enough, J.P.’s son, Anthony J. Rouse, Sr., goes to work in the company’s packing shed. Anthony and his cousin Ciro DiMarco take over City Produce Company when J.P. Rouse passes away in 1954.

1960

Anthony and Ciro open a 7,000-square-foot grocery store in Houma. Anthony’s sons help out at the store after school and on weekends.

1975

In 1974, Anthony starts work on a second store in Thibodaux. Ciro retires and Donald Rouse buys his uncle’s share in the business. The first Rouses in Thibodaux opens.

1980s

The family continues to expand across South Louisiana. Anthony J. Rouse's sons, Donald and Tommy become managing partners.

1995

Company opens its first Metairie location.

1999

Rouses opens its first epicurean-style markets in Houma and Thibodaux. Rouses is named the largest independent grocer in Louisiana.

2003

Donald and Tommy Rouse expand into St. Tammany Parish, opening a 54,000-square-foot store in Covington. That store is followed by other St. Tammany Parish locations in Mandeville and Slidell.

2007

Two years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastate the New Orleans area, Rouses acquires A&P’s Southern Division, giving the company its first stores in Mississippi and New Orleans itself. The company doubles in size overnight.

2009

Founder Anthony J. Rouse, Sr. passes away in March at age 79. He was a pioneer of the modern supermarket business who helped guide the business for nearly 50 years.

2011

Rouses opens its first store in Lafayette, Louisiana, right across from Cajun Field. Downtown New Orleans gets its first major grocery store in 50 years when Rouses opens in the historic Sewell Cadillac building in the Warehouse District. Donald's son, Donny Rouse, becomes managing partner. Tommy's daughter, Ali Rouse Royster, also becomes managing partner. They are the third generation to lead the family business.

2014

Rouses acquires five former Belle Foods stores in Lower Alabama, giving it first locations in Mobile, Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort, Saraland and Theodore. Within a year, the company is named best grocery store in Lower Alabama.

2016

Rouses opens stores in Denham Springs, Ponchatoula and Baton Rouge. Later in the year the company acquires LeBlanc’s Food Stores, which had nine stores in the Baton Rouge area, bringing the total number of Rouses Markets to 54. Donny Rouse is appointed CEO. He is the 3rd generation to lead the company.

2017

Rouses is named Official Supermarket of the New Orleans Saints. The company opens a new location at Bluebonnet Village Shopping Center in Baton Rouge​.

2018

Online shopping with same-day delivery and grocery pickup are introduced. New Rouses Markets open in West Mobile and Orange Beach, Alabama, and in Sulphur and Moss Bluff, Louisiana.

2019

Rouses acquires two former Frank's Supermarkets in Golden Meadow and Larose, Louisiana. Brand new stores in New Iberia, Thibodaux and Marrero, Louisiana, and Daphne, Alabama, open. Rouses earns Guinness World Record for Largest Avocado Display.

2020

Rouses reaches its 60-year milestone.

2022

Rouses partners with the New Orleans Saints and launches Tackle Hunger food drive. Company introduces curbside shopping #ShoppaStyle. Rouses earns Guinness World Record for Largest Citrus Display.

2023

Rouses celebrates 100 Years of City Produce and opens its first grocery store with a drive-thru fried chicken restaurant, Houma da Chicken.

2024

Rouses Markets is named a Top Independent Grocers in the country

2025

Rouses celebrates 65 years.