About Us
The first LaBonne family retail operations were on wheels around the year 1900. By delivering fresh fish and meat directly to local families and businesses, George LaBonne, LaBonne's progenitor, knew that his customers were getting the freshest goods possible. Continuously satisfying or going beyond customers’ expectations, George grew his business.
George LaBonne knew that one of the most important ingredients in providing customers with superior quality meats and fish was to extend an equally superior level of service designed to sustain the same high quality and remarkable freshness that he demanded from his resources and vendors.
From the beginning, the LaBonne name became known for quality meat and fish. From these two freshness-driven categories, the LaBonne's began venturing into other linked areas, offering a small selection of vegetables and other edibles. As their offerings grew, the matter of quality remained fixed while they gained experience in the store’s newer assortments of merchandise. The resulting customer-experience with the LaBonne family would remain one of finding consistently high-quality goods surpassed, only on occasion, by superior customer-care and service.
Preserving and sharpening the dual edge of high quality and exceptional service, six generations of LaBonne’s have expanded their family business, adding new merchandise categories, extending new services and opening new locations in Connecticut neighborhoods.
Over 55 years ago, in 1962, Bob LaBonne Sr and his father, Hy LaBonne who had been a master meat cutter for 44 years, established the original, official, LaBonne's concept. Hy and Bob Sr had a strong desire to have their own store. After cashing in on their life insurance policies, they realized their goal in 1962 when they opened a modest meat market in Watertown. Knowing there were plenty of customers who wanted a better cut of meat, Hy and Bob marketed superior meats and services to this under-served market.
The company’s current owner and CEO is Bob LaBonne Jr. Bob Jr purchased the business from his father, Bob LaBonne Sr in 2011. His great-great-grandfather, George LaBonne, sold fresh meat and fish from a horse and wagon around the turn of the century. Today, LaBonne’s has grown considerably with 4 stores and over 400 associates. Recently, Rob LaBonne III joined the family business to help us transition smoothly into the information age with his technical background.
