(Click on the images for a closer view.)

Loutre Market has always been something special.  What made Loutre Market special was the customers that shopped there, the service they received by the employees, and the people that owned and operated the business for almost 40 years.  

Bob and Carol Johnson first opened Loutre Food Market in 1963 and developed it into a thriving business until fire destroyed the building on September 15, 2002.  After 39 years in business, 4 floods and one fire, Bob and Carol and their family decided maybe they had their signal to slow down.  Although they decided not to rebuild, they were absolutely instrumental in seeing Loutre Market continue.  They helped Erik and Melody Palladino put together a plan for the rebuilding of the store they started almost 40 years ago.

Many things have changed about Loutre Market since it was destroyed.  The store is now located in it's fourth building since 1963.  It is slightly larger and has a different location a few hundred yards to the north.  It is no longer the land of high water.  The ownership has changed, but many things remain the same.

There are several familiar faces working the aisles with a smile at the new store.  Expect the same great customer service, same low prices, a great meat and produce department and some new products and services as well.

Loutre Market has always been, and always will be, something special! 

Montgomery Standard - February 19, 2003

Notice of Public Hearing

The Montgomery County Planning & Zoning Commission shall hold a Public Hearing to hear a request from Erik Palladino to open a grocery store (Loutre Market) in an Agricultural Zoning District.  The property affected is owned by Robert Johnson Trust.  Said Hearing shall be held in the Commissioners Room at the Montgomery County Courthouse at 211 E. Third St., Montgomery City, MO.  Said Hearing is to be held Tuesday, March 18, 2003 at 7:15 p.m.  This property which is the subject of the Public Hearing is located at 1381 Highway 19, Hermann, MO, and more particularly described as follows:

A tract of land located in the South half of Section 23, Township 45 North, Range 5 West, Montgomery County, Missouri.  Commencing from the Northeast intersection of Highway 19 and Highway 94 in a Northwesterly direction 387.4' +/- to the point of beginning; thence in a Northwesterly direction along the East Highway 19 right of way approximately 700', thence leaving said right of way line in a perpendicular and Northeasterly direction approximately 300' to the center of Loutre Slough, thence along Loutre Slough in a Southeasterly direction approximately 700' to the Northeast corner of the "Service Center Tract" per 1998 Dopuch survey, thence in a Southwesterly direction along said north line 238 +/- to the point of beginning.  Commonly known as 1381 Highway 19 Hermann, MO 65041.

March 18, 2003

The Montgomery County Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved the request for a conditional use permit to operate Loutre Market at 1381 Highway 19.  The next step is for the Montgomery County commissioners to hear the request on Thursday, March 20th.  

Hermann Advertiser-Courier - Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Couple is planning to rebuild Loutre Market grocery store

The wheels are in motion to build another Loutre Market grocery store north of the river, and it could become a reality fairly soon.

A public hearing was held Tuesday night at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Montgomery City, where the Montgomery County Planning & Zoning Commission acted on a request by Erik Palladino to open a grocery store (Loutre Market) in an agricultural zoning district.

Bob and Carol Johnson, who saw their grocery store destroyed by fire on Sept. 15, 2002, after nearly 40 years in business, are working with Palladino and Melody Wagler to build another Loutre Market a few hundred feet north of the old store.

Momentum is building to get the project underway soon, and construction is expected to start shortly after the couple clears the next hurdle--approval form the Montgomery County Planning & Zoning Commission.

The store will be located in its fourth building since 1963 and will be slightly larger than the one that was destroyed by fire.

Bob Johnson's original Loutre Food Market was west of Highway 19 along the banks of the Loutre River.  Johnson had been working in Kansas City for a food broker and supermarket when he came to Hermann to open a grocery store next to a service station that was operated by his brother-in-law, Junior Collins.

The Johnson's opened that first Loutre Food Market on June 10, 1963.

Erik and Melody recently unveiled a website about their intentions to rebuild Loutre Market.  A sign also went up at the proposed building site north of the Loutre Kwik Trip convenience store.

"We wanted to recognize Bob and Carol for all they've done," said Melody of the website.  "They made Loutre Market what it was."

March 20, 2003

The Montgomery County commissioners approved the request for a conditional use permit on Thursday, March 20th.

March 25, 2003

Howard Schutt of D & H Sales in Berger, MO is the contractor that has been hired to build Loutre Market.  The building was ordered on March 25th with construction on the building to begin in May.  

April 25, 2003

Let the dirt fly -- construction has begun...finally!  Howard Schutt and crew started removing what little top soil was on the site and replaced it with gravel.  The building corners have been staked and footings will soon follow.

May 16, 2003

The footings have been poured and after adequate drying time, the crew will start putting up the steel frame for the building.  

May 29, 2003

What will the new Loutre Market look like?  Wait and see!  The building is starting to take shape as the steel frames are being put into place.  The metal building will take four to six weeks to construct depending on weather.  The final completion date and opening is still unknown as there are just too many variables during construction. 

May 31, 2003

May 31st was the wedding day of Erik and Melody Palladino, the new owners of Loutre Market. The wedding party and family toasted the progress of the building.  The rumor is Loutre Market is now called Melody's Grocery Store...

June 24, 2003

The metal sides of the building have started going up and the construction of the front porch has begun.    

July 1, 2003

The building now has three walls and you can see the shape of the front of the building.  The front wall has been framed out and the front porch is being put in place.

July 7, 2003

Before long, Loutre Market will be under roof!  The standing seam metal roof is now being secured.  The porch is continuing to stretch across the front of the store.  The front wall is now ready for the outside layer...what will it look like?