LAPLACE — Ernie, Dale and Ernie &#8220Tony” Matherne Jr., owner/operators of Matherne’s Supermarkets, announced that a lease has been signed with General Growth Properties to open the fourth Matherne’s Supermarket.

The new location is in the Riverlands Shopping Center in LaPlace. Matherne’s at Riverlands is expected to open in July of 2006.

Currently the family operates three supermarkets under the Matherne’s name: Matherne’s at Longview in Paulina, Matherne’s at Kenilworth (Highland Road) and Matherne’s at Bluebonnet in Baton Rouge.

&#8220We are St. James Parish natives Š your next-door neighbors, and we’re looking forward to introducing ourselves to the community of LaPlace and St. John the Baptist Parish,” Ernie added. &#8220We believe that Matherne’s Supermarket will offer this community a unique, friendly, inviting, comfortable and convenient place to shop.”

As independent retail supermarket operators, the Matherne’s understand that you must offer customers a little bit more to compete in today’s marketplace. &#8220With farm fresh produce, quality meats, fine wines and home-style bakery and deli products, we know that we can provide superior service and customer satisfaction,” Dale stated.

Ernie Jr. continues, &#8220Many of our customers will tell you that it is our great wine selection, our delicious chicken salad or our famous fried catfish that first gets them to visit the store.  Each store offers something a little different for its customers, but the one consistent is fast, courteous service, clean stores and competitive prices.”

Being family owned and operated, Matherne’s will work to quickly become a part of the community it serves. &#8220We combine a hometown atmosphere with the variety and selection that customers want and deserve,” Ernie concluded.

Matherne’s is a member of Associated Grocers, Inc., which is headquartered in Baton Rouge and serves over 240 independently owned and operated retail outlets in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

As the area’s largest distributor of wholesale and retail groceries, Associated Grocers has been dedicated to the survival and success of the independent retail grocer for over 55 years.

Associated Grocers provides volume buying power, financial and technical assistance and in-house creative services for its member retailers.