- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Food | Agriculture
The Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana will open its second Raintree Market grocery store in Jeanerette on Wednesday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the new location.
The federally recognized tribe purchased Mac's Grocery Store after a fire destroyed the building in June 2022. Initially planning to renovate the property, tribal officials determined the damage was too extensive and opted to construct a new facility modeled after the tribe's existing Raintree Market in Baldwin.
"From the beginning, the Tribe's goal was to help the people of Jeanerette, who had lost their only grocery store," said Melissa Darden, chairman of the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana.
The new store addresses a critical gap in the community's infrastructure. After Mac's closed, Jeanerette residents lacked access to a local grocery store, particularly affecting residents without transportation who previously walked to the store.
"Many people who do not have cars used to walk to Mac's. It was the anchor of the community due to its location and what it provided," Darden said.
The expansion builds on the tribe's existing retail operations. Countice Leblanc, general manager of Raintree Market, said the tribe saw an opportunity to serve the community while expanding a proven business model.
"We were deeply saddened for the Jeanerette community after learning that Mac's Grocery Store had been destroyed by fire," Leblanc said. "I could not be more proud of the state of the art grocery store and deli that we have built here!"
Beyond its retail operations, the Chitimacha Tribe operates Cypress Bayou Casino and Hotel, government contracting companies including Colorado Professional Resources, the Trading Post convenience store in Charenton, and residential real estate developments. The tribe is one of the largest employers in St. Mary Parish.
The new Raintree Market is located at 1001 East Main Street in Jeanerette.
