Save-A-Lot, Local Hispanic Operator Offer Co-branded Texas Stores

Save-A-Lot and Hispanic grocery operator Rafael Ortega have formed a new company, Adventure Supermarkets, LLC, which owns and operates six former Save-A-Lot stores in the Houston and South Texas markets under a co-branded format, El Ahorro Save-A-Lot.

“We are always looking for innovative opportunities to bring the Save-A-Lot brand to local communities, and we think this affiliation best enables us to serve the Hispanic community in this area,” said Bill Shaner, Save-A-Lot president and CEO. “This relationship is a new business model for the company. Combining Mr. Ortega’s local insights with the power of the Save-A-Lot network of stores and exclusive-label expertise will enhance our ability to provide our Hispanic customers in this part of the country with the products and services they need and want, while positioning the Save-A-Lot brand for growth.”

Ortega has 24 years of experience in serving the Hispanic community in Texas, and currently owns and operates 15 El Ahorro Supermarkets and nearly 100 La Michoacana Meat Markets. “I am … excited about the potential of our new, blended format,” Ortega said.

The six stores — in Brownsville (one store), Victoria (one), Harlingen (one) and Houston (three) — began operating under the El Ahorro Save-A-Lot banner at the end of May.

Save-A-Lot, a division of Minneapolis-based Supervalu, Inc., operates nearly 1,200 stores in 39 states from Maine to California.