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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Owens Grocery and Deli was one of the first black owned markets in Baton Rouge where the community came to eat and escape the world.

“In 1938, there were not many places for blacks to shop and to go get their groceries and go get food, and so, they established this for the community,” said Malissa Fowler, granddaughter of Emma and David Owens.

David was a butcher, and his wife worked as a cook in the Valley Park area of Baton Rouge. They both had the idea to give back and become groundbreakers in the community.

“In 1938, who would have ever thought a black person could own something? My father didn’t have but a 6th grade education, but he was able to build a legacy,” said Cynthis Green, daughter of Emma and David Owens.

“It gave others that hope that we could earn something fostered ownership, gave others hope that they could do the same thing. We could earn something, we could build something, and we could have something on our own,” said Fowler.

Many years later, the small grocery store found it hard to keep up with larger grocery stores and began to specialize in southern cooking.

“It was hard to maintain that grocery aspect because of the Albertsons, the Walmart. We can’t keep up with those prices,” said Fowler.

Now, you can find Cynthia Green in the kitchen, serving the community like her parents did 80 years ago.

“You can always come here and not only get good food, but a smile Time has changed everything. still a great aspect to the Baton Rouge community,” Terry Vessell said, Long-time customer.

From hosting community events to feeding people in need, Owens Deli is still the heartbeat of the valley park community.

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