Lou Perrine’s sells the family business

Dive Brief:

Independent convenience retailer Lou Perrine’s Gas & Grocery has sold both of its locations to an undisclosed investment firm in Indiana, the Kenosha, Wisconsin-based company said Friday in a Facebook post.
Lou Perrine’s last day in business is July 11, according to the announcement. The retailer has retained its brand name, as well as its popular Mama P’s cakes, which it said may eventually return to stores again.
Lou Perrine’s has been a family-owned company since its founding in 1954. Third-generation owner Anthony Perrine had been in sale talks with the investment company for the past four years, according to the announcement.

Dive Insight:

Despite its two-store footprint, Lou Perrine’s gained popularity throughout the c-store industry over the years through its community programs, tattoo promotions and other initiatives. During the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, Anthony Perrine slept on a mattress in the back of the main store to support his employees.

Anthony Perrine took ownership of the then one-location convenience store chain in 2010. His father, Lou Jr., was the owner from 1985 to 2010, and his father, Grandpa Lou, founded the company.

“My dad always said ‘[You’re] not customers to us but family,’” Lou Jr. said in the Facebook post. “We hope over the years we treated our customers and staff with the same philosophy my dad had 68 years ago.”

Lou Perrine’s opened its second store in 2022, about three miles south of the first location. The retailer has had over 5,000 employees through the years, according to the announcement.

Anthony Perrine did not respond by press time to an inquiry for more details on the sale.

In a separate statement, Wisconsin Senator Bob Wirch thanked Lou Perrine’s for its contributions to the city of Kenosha and southeast Wisconsin.

“From visits with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny to sponsorship of various community events, Lou Perrine’s has been at the heart of Kenosha, and we will certainly miss them,” Wirch said. “I thank the Perrine family, and I wish them and everyone involved in running Lou Perrine’s best of luck with whatever comes next.”