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Company History

Rice Epicurean Markets is the oldest family-owned supermarket chain in Houston.

Founded by William H. Levy and his wife Edna, grandparents of the current owners

The first store opened for business on May 5, 1937, by William and Edna Levy. The store was named "Rice Blvd. Food Market" because that was the street where the store was located. The small shopping center at 2501 Rice Boulevard was one of only two buildings in what is now known as the Village Shopping Center.

Situated just west of Rice University (then known as Rice Institute), Rice Boulevard was an unpaved road and the surrounding neighborhoods of Southhampton and West University Place were in the developmental stages. Most of the clientele in early days came from the surrounding neighborhoods which were very underserved by retail.

Prosperity and Growth

Through the next 20 years Rice Blvd. Food Market enjoyed growth and prosperity in the original store, which when opened was just 40 feet by 60 feet. The first store was eventually enlarged on five occasions until there was no longer space on the site for expansion.

In 1955, William Levy's son-in-law, Alfred L. Friedlander, now Co-Chairman Emeritus, joined the business and two years later, his son, Joel M. Levy, now also Co-Chairman Emeritus, came on-board.

A Second Store at San Felipe and Post Oak

In April 1957 the family opened its second location at the corner of San Felipe and Post Oak. The Tanglewood store, as it was referred to in conversation, necessitated a change in the firm's name from Rice Boulevard Food Market to Rice Food Markets. When the Tanglewood store opened, it was surrounded by farmland and many customers were nearby rice farmers who were delighted not to have to go into the city for groceries. The store virtually stood alone and was the only major structure in what was to become the prestigious Galleria area. Once again the family looked to provide a retail outlet for an underserved community.

Even after founder William H. Levy passed away, Rice Food Markets continued to maintain his concepts from the first neighborhood location: quality products and personal service. The concept proved to be one that was well received throughout the Houston area as the company's expansion continued for many years.

Growth Through A Public Offering of Stock

In 1968, during a period of broad expansion, the company held an initial public offering of stock on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol RICE. After trading in the public markets for several years, a group of investors led by the founding family repurchased all of the outstanding shares and took the company private. In the 1980's, the Levy and Friedlander families bought out their partners and the business was once again owned entirely by the founding families.

The Emergence of the Epicurean Concept

in 1988 Rice Food Markets launched a new store concept that provided a unique blend of neighborhood grocery market and specialty foods retailer. Rice Epicurean Market was born and was hailed in Time Magazine as a unique concept in a sea of otherwise bland grocery retail.

A Return To Roots

The spectacular growth of the Houston market prompted a tremendous battle for grocery market share in the city and a steady stream of national chains began entering the market. Ultimately, the company returned to its roots as a neighborhood grocery store, focusing exclusively on a limited number of Rice Epicurean locations in some of Houston's nicest neighborhoods.

Committed to Quality and Our Customers

Rice Epicurean Markets provides an exceptional shopping experience in the neighborhoods we serve. We continue to offer charge card privileges with monthly billing, just as we have since 1964, which allows customers to purchase their groceries simply by signing their names on their grocery bills. In 2002, Rice Epicurean Markets started offering online shopping with home or office delivery, Houston's only area grocery store to offer the services.

Today, each Rice Epicurean Market is merchandised to be in tune with its particular neighborhood. Close attention is paid to the regular stock of grocery store items, and our perishable departments feature the finest meat, produce, chef prepared salads and entrees, up scale floral and European bakery goods.

We pride ourselves on filling the special requests of our customers, and are always sourcing and stocking new and exciting gourmet products. We are proud to offer our customers specialty items like HoneyBaked Ham, Sees Candy and Killer Brownies. At Rice Epicurean Markets, nothing is more important than quality and customer service. We are very proud of the fact that the number of employees who have been with the chain for 20 years or more continues to grow.

Still Family Owned and Operated

Rice Epicurean Markets, Inc. is wholly owned by founding family members. Current family members involved in the daily operations of the business are: Gary Friedlander, President and Chief Operating Officer; Bruce Levy, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Scott Silverman, Vice President and Director of Specialty Foods; and Phil Cohen, Vice President Marketing, Community Relations and Webmaster. Today, the company operates five Rice Epicurean Markets, which range in size from 25,000 to 42,000 square feet.

Serving Houstonians Since 1937

Our grandparents opened the family's first store in 1937 on Rice Blvd. in the village when streets were still oyster shells. When our grandfather William asked our Grandmother Edna what the store's name shoud be, she said "What street is it on?" Find our more about Rice Epicurean's history »

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Our Commitment to You

Our commitment is to provide our customers with an excellent shopping experience through quality products and services; informed, enthusiastic associates and clean, well maintained facilities.