Houchens Family & Stores Continue To Serve Local Communities
The Houchens General Store opened on New Year’s Day in 1917 in Barren County, and more than a century later, the local Houchens IGA continues that commitment to serve the community even as the company expanded across 15 states.
“Our company has grown significantly since that day, but our roots remain planted deep in Glasgow and Barren County,” says Greg Rush, current president of Houchens Food Group. “We have been a proud member of the Glasgow and Barren County community for over 108 years.” The Houchens Food Group includes 400 retail grocery stores, as well as convenience stores, hardware stores, and restaurants.
- 1919: Ervin G. Houchens bought 2 acres of land and built a 40-by-24-foot store with a room in the back large enough for his bed.
- 1920s: In 1928, Ervin left the store to become a farmer, but he returned to the business by the end of the decade. He seizes an opportunity to take over a bankrupt grocery store in Glasgow.
- 1939: The largest store to date opened in Bowling Green, Kentucky, introducing self-service. It made history with the first live broadcast of a radio program from a store in the city.
- 1950s: Expansion continued to keep pace with the thriving U.S. economy, including the introduction of retail packaged frozen foods and self-service meats.
- 1970s: By the end of the decade, Houchens had 55 supermarkets in operation and a plaza shopping center offering everything from groceries and hardware to medicine and a variety of other items.
- 1980s: Houchens was sold to Pomodes, the parent company of Chattanooga-based Red Food Stores. But Houchens employees bought back the company, becoming a 100% employee-owned business.
- 1992: Founder Ervin G. Houchens died, leaving a legacy of thousands of changed lives.
- 2000s: Food Giant joined Houchens, adding about 2,500 employees and 90 supermarkets in eight states. The company opened its first Ace Hardware store. By its 100th birthday in 2017, Houchens had more than 18,000 employees.