New owner shopped in historic Destrehan grocery as a child, has big plans for store
Marked by an impressive historical mural telling St. Charles Parish’s history, Cashio Food Villa is now part of Destrehan’s story, too.
After 32 years of owning and operating the grocery store, Johnny and Linda Cashio recently sold the business, better known as Cashio’s, to David Matherne, a native of Destrehan.
The store name has changed to River Road Market, but Matherne just wants to build on Cashio’s successful business at 13572 River Road.
A Destrehan native who visited the store as a child for years, Matherne entered there one day and Cashio announced he wanted to retire. The time was right for a change and they reached a deal.
“It feels good. It’s been a lifetime dream of mine,” Matherne said of becoming a business owner. “We’re just ready to get to work and do the big ideas I have in mind for the store.”
Matherne, who knew the business having worked for Kellogg’s and then Associated Grocers, decided it was time to get into the business himself. When Cashio’s came available, he saw the opportunity working “all the way and especially living around the corner.”
On arrival, he started increasing store inventory and selection, building on Cashio’s loyal customer base just as Cashio did for so many years. He acknowledged the deli as an important aspect of the business and is doing some cosmetic work to give the area a facelift.
“Growing up here, I know a lot of people in the community,” Matherne said. “I felt there was a need for another full-service grocery and as a locally owned store.”
Customer service is a top priority, he said. Of the several customer requests he’s gotten, he’s already done all possible to satisfy them.
This was how it was for Cashio and, his wife, Linda, until they decided it was time to retire.
Although his wife cried about leaving the business, Cashio said he was ready to enjoy life while their health was good. Now, their lives are about going to the grandkid’s softball games, cutting the grass and sleeping until 9 a.m.
“We had a good time,” he said. “We had a lot of good friends there.”
Cashio, who had been working as a tower crane operator for 18 years, got into the grocery business in 1983 when his brother-in-law decided he wanted to get into Jr. Food Marts and sold him the store. From then on, he got to the store by 6 a.m. nearly every day seven days a week. He praised his managers Jackie Mizell and Cindy Rasmus, who worked for him nearly 20 years. His wife of 53 years also went to work there, keeping the books three days a week.
He raised his three children there, but none of them got into the grocery business.
“It’s been a great run,” he said, recounting some of their experiences as storeowners.
Right after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, his store was robbed.
Men from Alabama entered the building through a hole they cut in the roof. They then cut open the safe and ran off with $13,000 in cash. Cashio said they were caught and the money recovered. Although he was grateful not to have been there during the crime, he still complained about having to pay for the $1,000 roof repair.
But Cashio also recounted how people enjoyed the deli, especially the homemade roast beef and chicken salad. He praised his butcher.
About two years ago, he recalled when the St. Charles Museum & Historical Association approached him about painting a mural on the backside of the store depicting the parish’s 300-year history.
He agreed.
The 130-foot mural itself, by muralist Hans Geist, became historic in that it was located in the parish’s “Mile of History” corridor, which runs from Van’s Lane to Destrehan Plantation.
“A lot of people coming through sightseeing would stop and take pictures of it,” he said. “They wrote down the history of Destrehan and the parish. They’d spend an hour out there.”
Cashio said he wishes Matherne well in the grocery business, which has gotten more competitive with the big box stores and chain grocery stores for mom and pop stores to survive these days. But he is optimistic about Matherne’s success because he has a good location and is updating the store, which has gotten its own historic appeal in the community and in their lives.
“It’s beautiful,” Matherne said of the store’s growing notoriety as a landmark. “Me and my wife were driving by when they were doing it, and watching it all come together is just another perk of owning the building. It stands out – you just can’t miss it.”
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