New Rouses hire Henry Martin (left)

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

We already knew the people at Rouses were all about healthy and local eating, and now they’re proving their support for homegrown businesses by reaching out to  Louisiana’s beloved Hubig’s Pies. Rouses extended an invitation to any and all Hubig’s Pies employees who found themselves out of a job after last week's fire. Third generation grocer and company exec Allison Rouse hopes that the grocery store’s invitation will assist Hubig’s in their recovery process and get them back in their delivery trucks.

“As a long time buyer of Hubig’s Pies, we were devastated to hear about the fire. Hubig’s is a local institution, and we’ve had a great working relationship with them for decades,” Rouse said.

Before last Friday's five-alarm fire that destroyed the pie maker's historic Marigny factory, Hubig’s employed about 40 people. The company hopes to open next year, but the workers who made the pies and handled delivery are largely in limbo until the rebuilding gets off the ground.

So far, a pair of former Hubig's workers—Dwayne Lewis and Henry Martin --have been officially employed by Rouses. Martin started on Wednesday at the CBD store, and Rouse said both are comfortable in their temporary homes.

“Dwayne has been delivering to the (CBD) store since we opened last fall, and he’s been working as a driver for Hubig’s for many years. We hired Henry, a twelve-year Hubig’s veteran, at our store in Mid City,” Rouse said.  

Beyond the jobs, Rouse said the big question on most Rouses shoppers' minds is whether or not the store will be able to give people in the city their pie fixes while the factory rebuilds.

“Unfortunately, no we will not," she said. "We don’t have the equipment they use, we don’t really have the adequate space within our bakeries. We’ll just have to wait - as patiently as possible - for Hubig’s to rebuild and start delivering delicious pies again!”

Those unable to employ displaced employees can still support the company from home as they rebuild. Check out the decals and T-shirts sold on the Hubig's website. Decals start at $5. Printed on the front is “# Pielover,” in the classic Hubig’s logo.