GROVES — A Houston area couple with more than 20 businesses under their belt has added Larry’s French Market and Cajun Restaurant to their acquisitions.

Rich and Sue Carrier took ownership of the popular Cajun eatery, located at 3701 Pure Atlantic Road in Groves, on Oct. 1 and will continue management just the same as before.

Chuck Bounds, one of the managers and Larry Judice’s son-in-law, will remain “100 percent involved” in the business.

Bounds dispelled the rumor that the new owners are part of a “Houston chain.”

Longtime owners Larry and Brenda Judice may have retired from the business upon the sale but will continue to be part of the operation.

“They’re retired but will still be involved for several more years,” Bounds said, adding that after 60 years in the family business it’s time to step back into retirement.

Larry’s French Market and Cajun Restaurant is known for its Cajun seafood buffet, boiled crawfish and traditional live Cajun music and dancing on weekends.

Larry’s French Market got its beginnings in 1978 as a market when homes in the nearby Fairlea Addition were bulldozed and residents moved away. Judice began converting the business into a restaurant around 1994 and shelving was removed to make room for a seafood buffet line and a dance floor.

The business features Cajun inspired murals by Don Chance and décor showcasing the Cajun culture.

Larry’s was featured in a segment on Bob Phillips’ Texas Country Reporter TV show in 2006 and in 2011 Judice was named the Small Businessman of the Year in Groves.

Another honor was bestowed in 2014 when Larry’s French Market graced the cover of the official visitors guide for Southeast Texas.

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