Longtime Folsom grocery store closes doors, welcomes newcomer

By Chad Ruiz
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, August 18, 2008 10:06 AM CDT

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After nearly 23 years, the only full-size grocery store in the village of Folsom is experiencing a rebirth.

Saia’s Supermarket at 82205 Louisiana Highway 25 was recently sold to Carlton Main, owner of Main’s Chalmette Market in St. Bernard Parish.

Main, a 30-year veteran in the grocery business, saw a business opportunity after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Southshore community.

“We were the first store to open in St. Bernard after the storm,” he said.

With business running strong three years after the storm, Main jumped on the opportunity to debut in Folsom when he first got wind Vincent Saia was giving up the reigns to his establishment.

“He’s getting rid of the grocery, but he’s remaining in the construction business,” Main said, adding he will be leasing the building from Saia, who owns the shopping center.

The nearly 10,000-square-foot shopping center will be a “totally new store,” Main said.

Renovation work is already ongoing, he said, and will continue till about October.

“We’re putting new cases, shelving and décor throughout the store,” Main said. “It’s been a long time since it was updated so we’re going to modernize it.”

He also said he’s considering re-striping the parking lot to compliment the new, stucco exterior. Sure aesthetics are nice, but prices matter most and Main said they are currently in the process of dramatically lowering prices.

“Now it will be more convenient for people because they wont have to drive all the way to Covington to get the best deals,” Main said.

He also said the store will remain open during the renovation.

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