Johnnie Alford, Ed Hughes, Howard Hatfield, Roy Theriot and Bruce Thompson founded Market Basket in early 1962.

                Each was an independent grocer, owning one store each.  The five grocers joined together in order to keep advertising costs low and pool their purchasing power.  Three of the grocers remained one-supermarket operators while Hughes and Thompson formed a 50-50 corporation for joint expansion.

                Thompson and Hughes bought four stores as partners in the 1960’s.  During the early 70’s they obtained former A & P, Kroger and Weingarten stores in Lake Charles, Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. In 1983, Bruce Thompson purchased Hughes’ interest in their jointly held corporation. 

 During the 1980’s, two new stores were constructed, and the chain grew with the acquisition of fourteen more stores formerly operated by  Piggly Wiggly, Safeway, Theriot’s, Winn-Dixie, and Weingarten.

The next decade saw Market Basket begin an extensive remodeling and expansion program for half of the chain.  More stores in the 90’s were acquired, including four Cash and Carry locations and three AppleTree stores.  The Mauriceville location was replaced with a newly constructed store during this time.

 During the summer of 2001, the company purchased two Hughes Market Basket stores, in Port Arthur and Nederland.   2002 brought the purchase of 2 Price-Lo stores in Vidor, and DeRidder. Stanley’s in Leesville, Louisiana, and Pair’s in Winnie, Texas were added, as well.

                The company now operates 34 Market Baskets and 4 Lucky Seven conventional supermarkets which employ 2200 associates.  Twenty-five stores are located in Texas and thirteen are located in Louisiana.  Twenty-four of the locations have Bakeries/Deli service; sixteen with floral departments and seven operate inside Pharmacies.