ST. BERNARD PARISH – Local grocery chain Canseco’s Market is opening its fourth location in the Greater New Orleans area.
The new store is located in old Arabi and Tuesday residents flocked to it for its grand opening.
“We've been waiting, we've been counting the days, ‘Is it opening this week?’ Finally, we heard it was opening today so we got over here,” customer Kathy Hall said.
For Hall the new location is more than just a store, it is a place that gives her freedom.
“If I can't walk to where I need to go, if I need something for a recipe, I'm stuck! Until someone can drive me somewhere. So, this is fabulous. I can walk here and it's good for me to walk too,” Hall said.
The owner understands Kathy’s anticipation since he is from Arabi.
“I've been wanting to do this since I started 13 years ago. So, I'm over whelmed right now,” owner Sinesio Canseco said.
He is bringing fresh produce and groceries to people who need it.
“This is a desert right now. This is going to give the people from the Ninth Ward, Arabi, somewhere to shop,” he said.
In a place that some residents consider a ‘food desert,’ they are appreciative that Canseco’s is now in the area.
“It makes me feel great to have a great store like this around the neighborhood. Close by to my house, walking distance. We appreciate it when people bring this store to your neighborhood!” customer Patrick Donaldson said.
The store is located at 6735 St. Claude Avenue. The 11,600-square foot store will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
“Arabi needs something, so I just felt like this was just the right thing to do,” Canseco said.