OUR STORY

On New Year’s day in 1917, Ervin Houchens opens the first Houchens General Store in Barren County, Kentucky.

In 1919, Ervin Houchens bought two acres of land and built a 40 ft. by 24 ft. store with a room in the back large enough for his bed.

In 1920, Ervin married Eloise Bradshaw, and a year later, their daughter, Covella, was born.

Ervin and Eloise ran the store until 1928 when he left the store to become a farmer. But by the end of the decade, he was back in the grocery business. Houchens seized an opportunity to take over a bankrupt grocery store located in Glasgow, KY.

Undaunted by the Great Depression, Ervin began expanding his enterprise with the addition of 3 more locations in Glasgow, KY.

In 1936, the first out of town stores were opened in Munfordville and Scottsville, KY.

Ervin Houchens opened his largest store yet in Bowling Green, KY. Here he introduced the “Self-Service” concept. This store made history with the first live broadcast of a radio program from a store in Bowling Green on WLBJ radio.

In 1945 the Glasgow warehouse and store were destroyed by fire and the Houchens headquarters relocated to Bowling Green, KY.The Houchens Foundation was established.

Expansion continues as more stores open in surrounding counties including Larue, Logan, and Monroe.

To keep up with the newly thriving U.S. economy, Ervin continued to add stores to his list of locations in order to sell at volume. This included his first out-of-state store in Lafayette, TN. The 1950’s also introduced new technology such as key punch cards, retail packaged frozen foods and self-service meats.

In 1960, Houchens launched the employee profit-sharing program. This program set aside 15% of each employee’s salary into a fund which would be fully vested in 15 years.

Growth continued at a rapid rate for the Houchens chain throughout the 60’s. New Houchens Market locations were introduced to 7 new towns including continued growth in Tennessee.

By the end of the 70’s, Houchens had 55 supermarkets in operation and it’s first plaza shopping center; the shopping center sold everything from groceries and hardware to medicine and variety items.

The company’s name was changed to Houchens Industries, Inc.

Ervin G. Houchens retires at the age of 85. Ruel Houchens becomes new president of Houchens Industries.

For a brief period of time in the mid-1980’s, Houchens was sold to Promodès, parent company of Chattanooga based Red Food Stores.

On November 12th, Houchens employees bought back the company and established an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) and the company became 100% employee owned.

In January of 1990, Houchens opens the first of many Save-A-Lot locations.

Houchens Founder Ervin G. Houchens passes away leaving behind a legacy that changed the lives of thousands of people.

After 25 years of service, Jimmie Gipson is elected President & Chief Executive Officer. A role he would fill until his retirement 27 years later in 2020.

Houchens acquires 42 Jr. Food Store locations, a local convenience store chain.

Southern Recycling, Inc is added to the list of Houchens owned subsidiaries.

Stewart Richey Construction and Houchens Industries announce a merger. Center of Insurance and Houchens Industries announce a merger.

Houchens acquires Commonwealth Brands, a tobacco company that manufactures several popular brand labels including USA Gold and Sonoma.

Metal storefront fixture manufacturer Pan-Oston joins the Houchens family of subsidiaries bringing along with them 500 employees.

Food Giant joins the Houchens family, adding approximately 2500 employees and 90 supermarkets in 8 states.

The first Crossroads IGA location opens in Rockfield, KY.In April, 2005, Houchens closes a deal to acquire Scotty’s Contracting & Stone and TS Trucking in a double merger.

Houchens announces the sale of Commonwealth Brands which positively impacts the ESOP for all Houchens employees. Houchens opens it’s first Sonic Drive-Thru franchise locations in the Dayton, OH area. Houchens adds Van Meter Insurance Group.

The diversification continues with four more companies being added to the list of Houchens subsidiaries, Hilliard Lyons, Stephens Pipe & Steel, LLC., Tampico Beverages, Inc., and Cohen Fashion Optical, Inc.

Houchens moves into the healthcare sphere with the acquisition of Sheldon’s Express Pharmacy.

Franchised with Ace Hardware. The first Houchens owned Ace Hardware store opened on May 22, 2015. Since then, 25 additional Ace Hardware stores have opened with plans to open more locations in the near future. The Houchens owned locations recently took on the name “Ace Hardware Marketplace.” These “Marketplace” locations feature a curated list of boutique and national brands such as Big Green Egg, Simply Southern, and Vera Bradley that provide a little something for everyone.

In 2017, Houchens celebrates its 100 year anniversary by hosting a birthday celebration for Houchens employees and their families. After a century of growth, Houchens boasts 18,000+ employees and is still 100% employee-owned.

Sold Hilliard Lyons. In November 2018, HL Financial Services LLC, the parent company of Hilliard Lyons merged with Baird, a wealth management company out of Wisconsin.

After serving as the Vice President of Houchens Industries for 10 years, Dion Houchins is promoted to CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Houchins stated, “[His] number one priority is to ensure the Houchens Employee Stock Ownership Plan has a sustainable future.”

Houchens buys Lee Masonry Products. On April 1, 2021, Houchens CEO, Dion Houchins, announced the merger of Lee Masonry Products into the Houchens ESOP. Lee Masonry has grown to operate 19 facilities in two states with more than 400 employees.

Franchised with Slim Chickens. On May 19, 2021, the first franchised location of Slim Chickens opened alongside the first Crossroads Express to much fanfare and success. This is the first of several planned Slim Chickens locations in the Bowling Green, KY area.

On Aug. 13, 2021, Southern Recycling, LLC was sold to Orange, California basedcompany SA Recycling.

On Oct. 1, Houchens Insurance Group launches a major rebrand. Included in that rebrand is the culmination of the many independent insurance brands that live under the “HIG” umbrella. Moving forward, all insurance brands will be knownas HIG or Houchens Insurance Group.

In January 2022, Houchens Industries, Inc. announced the acquisition of L. Thorn Company, Inc. by one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Lee Masonry Products, Inc.

Houchens Industries acquires Air Hydro Power (AHP). Based in Louisville, KY, AHP is a leading industrial distributor of motion control and fluid power solutions including automation, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, electrical motors, and hose and fittings.

Houchens Industries purchases Louisville, KY based pet specialty retailer, Feeders Pet Supply (FPS). FPS sells pet foods, supplies, and services through its emerging e-commerce platforms in addition to its 58+ brick and mortar locations across six states.

Houchens Industries purchases H. H. Barnum. Based in Brighton, MI, they are a leading value-added distributor of controls for factory and warehouse automation.

Houchens Industries continues to focus on delivering exceptional customer service and improving employees’ lives. We plan to build off over a century of dedication and look forward to another century of growth and success.