Rice Epicurean Markets

[1] Prior to 2012 the company operated five Rice Epicurean Markets, which ranged in size from 25,000 to 42,000 square feet (3,900 m2).

Rice Boulevard was an unpaved dirt road and West University Place was in its developmental stages.

That successful 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.

The store served area farmers who had previously traveled to the Rice Village location.

[4] During the same year, the three existing Rice Food Markets merged with another family grocery, Jack's, also with three locations.

During that year, Rice took possession of five Weingarten's stores, causing the chain to again begin expansion.

In 1985 the owners of Rice Food Markets were Friedlander, Joel Levy, and Ralph Cohen.

Cohen was a member of a family that had, on a previous occasion, merged its business into Rice Food Markets.

The Rice Epicurean concept paid close attention to the regular stock of grocery store items, but special requests, gourmet products and customer service figured prominently in the overall operation.

Most Rice shoppers were wealthier and older, and preferred home grocery delivery service.

"[8] She added that "all kinds of wild rumors flew about how Rice Epicurean stores stayed open despite a lack of traffic" had circulated.

The Rice stores would close in early 2013 and The Fresh Market locations would open in the northern hemisphere summer or fall of 2013.

"[8] The first The Fresh Market opened in the former West University location in the city of Houston on July 17, 2013.

[9] The corporate office for Rice Epicurean Markets was located on a lot in Southwest Houston.

[3] Each Rice store carried a set of merchandise that varied depending on the ethnic background of the neighborhood that it resided in.

[3] Crown said in 1985 that "The average supermarket size has been growing based on the belief that larger stores are more efficient.