News Summary
New Orleans will soon see the opening of Terranova’s Meats on Esplanade Avenue, continuing the legacy of a family staple, Terranova Supermarket, which closed after a century. Operated by the Terranova family, the butcher shop will focus on traditional meat offerings and community engagement, ensuring that local traditions are honored amidst modern renovations.
New Orleans is set to welcome a new butcher shop, Terranova’s Meats, which will officially open its doors on August 26, 2025. Located on Esplanade Avenue, the new shop will occupy part of the space previously held by the iconic Terranova Supermarket, which recently closed after an impressive 100 years in operation.
The Terranova Supermarket, a cornerstone of the community, was founded in 1925 by Benjamin Terranova and his wife Lena, who hailed from Sicily. The supermarket, originally a butcher shop, evolved over the decades into a full-service grocery store while retaining a dedicated butcher counter that kept tradition alive. The supermarket’s closure was marked by a heartfelt farewell from the community as friends, neighbors, and regular customers gathered to honor Benjamin and Karen Terranova on their final day of business.
Continuing the family legacy, Anthony Terranova—Benjamin and Karen’s son—and his wife Jennifer are spearheading the new butcher shop. Terranova’s Meats aims to deliver a personalized shopping experience reminiscent of the welcoming atmosphere fostered by the original establishment. The shop will specialize in popular Terranova tradition items such as sausage, hogshead cheese, stuffed pork chops, and muffulettas, with a special availability of those items on Saturdays.
The butcher shop is also committed to preserving unique traditions from the Terranova Supermarket. A cherished tradition is the annual Saints season prediction, which is expected to continue as part of the butcher shop’s offerings. Additionally, the shop aims to make meal planning easier by offering a limited selection of grocery staples alongside its meat products.
As renovations progress, part of the former supermarket space will be leased to another business, further revitalizing the site. The design of Terranova’s Meats will pay homage to the original supermarket by incorporating historical artifacts, such as a vintage butcher block and kid-sized shopping carts, ensuring that nostalgic elements remain intact within the new shop.
The distinctive wedge-shaped building that housed the supermarket is recognizable to many locals, complete with a prominent old Coca-Cola sign. The Terranova family’s commitment to the community has strengthened over the years, creating lasting relationships with generations of customers. As the community saw the supermarket close its doors, heartfelt gratitude towards the Terranova family was evident as locals expressed thanks for their a century of service and engagement with the neighborhood.
The establishment of Terranova’s Meats is viewed as a “rebirth” for the well-known location and a new chapter for the Terranova family. By focusing on meat offerings while preserving the legacy and traditions of the historic supermarket, the butcher shop looks to create a new gathering place for current and future customers in New Orleans.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: Terranova Italian Butcher Shop Reopens
- NOLA: New Orleans Grocery Store to Close
- The Advocate: Terranova’s Supermarket Review
- Google Search: Terranova Supermarket
- NOLA: Family-Owned Grocery Celebrates 90 Years
- Wikipedia: Butcher
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
