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 63 stores: 53 in Louisiana, three on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and eight in Lower Alabama
In 2020, Rouses Markets celebrated its 60th 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.
