Rouses Markets will open its 77th store and its first in St. Bernard Parish at 8700 W Judge Perez Dr. in Chalmette, Louisiana, is expected to open in the second quarter of 2027.
The 47,694‑square‑foot store will fill spaces once occupied by Big Lots and Sav‑A‑Lot, transforming a dormant commercial corridor into a full‑service neighborhood grocery destination. Rouses will also resurface the entire parking lot as part of the project.
St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes spent more than a year working alongside the Rouses family to find the right location, and the search led them to Chalmette.
“There’s real momentum in St. Bernard Parish right now, and Chalmette is at the center of so much exciting development,” said Donny Rouse, chief executive officer of Rouses Markets. “We didn’t want to miss that. We are thrilled to bring Rouses to this community.”
“We believe a grocery store should be a real part of the neighborhood, not just a place to shop,” Rouse said. “We hire locally, support local organizations, and show up when the community needs us. That’s been true since my grandfather opened our first store in Houma, and it’ll be true in Chalmette.”
“Rouses will bring jobs, strengthen our tax base, and bring new energy to a mall that is ready for its next chapter,” said Pomes. “I want to thank everyone involved in making this moment a reality. Welcome to St. Bernard, Rouses, we’re glad you’re here.”
Chalmette customers can expect a full‑service Butcher Shop, Seafood Market, and Bakery; hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner; local and regional products; and the specialty departments Rouses customers know and love.
The Chalmette store continues a year of significant growth for Rouses, which added 10 new locations earlier this year. Hiring details for the new store will be announced closer to opening.
For independent grocers, Rouses’ expansion into Chalmette offers a case study in thoughtful market entry. Rather than building on a greenfield site, the company is repurposing a vacant big‑box space (former Big Lots and Sav‑A‑Lot) – a strategy that can lower development costs and accelerate opening timelines. The parish president’s personal involvement in site selection also highlights the value of building local government relationships before breaking ground.
Independents considering similar moves should note Rouses’ emphasis on hiring locally and supporting community organizations, which helps overcome any resistance from existing businesses. The store’s full‑service departments (butcher, seafood, bakery, hot prepared foods) create destination appeal that discount competitors like the former Sav‑A‑Lot could not match.
About Rouses Markets
Founded in 1960 in Houma, Louisiana, Rouses Markets began as a single neighborhood grocery store and has expanded across the Gulf Coast to 76 locations. The company remains family owned and operated and is led by Donny Rouse, a third‑generation grocer. Rouses is consistently voted the best grocery store in every market it serves.
[RELATED: Third-Generation Rouses CEO: ‘We’re The No. 1 Grocer’ Along Gulf Coast]
