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Thankfully, the independent grocer is an enduring institution in the Capital City, notwithstanding the lure of big box stores. Among the free agents, it's hard to beat the Bet-R Supermarket for its sense of community and quirkiness. "We've just got a great clientele," says Manager Cliff Boulden, who took over the store's operations six years ago. Boulden's personal intention throughout his tenure has been to "let the place shine" with better lighting, new products, more wines and an improved meat department run by a veteran butcher called simply, Mr. Willie. Boulden himself is a former butcher, having managed the College Drive Albertsons meat counter in its heyday.

The Bet-R opened under the Perkins Road Overpass in the early sixties, and since then, has drawn diverse customers from the Garden District, Old South Baton Rouge, the University Lakes, City Park, Perkins Road, the Dales and more. The shelves confirm the store's refusal to conform: Lard is situated close to "cage free" eggs, while Wonder bread sits near small batch organic loaves from Our Daily Bread. Last fall, Boulden was approached by film crews scouting locations for the 2011 picture Battle: Los Angeles. They fell in love with the Bet-R's style and texture, and shot several scenes there. Boulden is hoping the store will retain its retro sign in the movie, and place the humble spot on the map. "The film crew researched it and they couldn't find another Bet-R in the country," says Boulden, who observed that while locals pronounce the store "bet-are," outsiders call it the "better" store, which was, of course, the moniker's intention. Boulden says what's next for Bet-R is a careful expansion plan, which began with a just unveiled parking lot. It will be followed over the next few years with more warehouse and grocery store space. "You have to really keep things up and make things nice for people," says Boulden. "That's what we plan to do."

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