About Us

Lou & Phyllis Brtek opened Lou's Thrifty Way in April 1972, as an 8,000 square foot retail grocery store. The store is in it's second generation of Brtek family ownership, as Michael & Nancy Brtek own and operate the store today.

Through the years the store has undergone many changes as technology and demographics deemed. Lou's Thrifty Way has more than tripled in size to its current size of over 25,000 square feet. We are your local community connection for high quality foods, friendly service and great prices.

In 2002, a 60 foot flag pole was installed in our parking lot in celebration of our 30th year in business. It's dedicated to all those who served our country and defended our freedoms.

However, no matter how much the store changes physically, Lou's Thrifty Way is still committed to the old theory; people are what matter most. We are family-owned and operated giving us the flexibility to do things larger stores cannot. Lou's strives to offer quality products at fair prices while offering exceptional customer service. We pride ourselves in the fact we are the only full-service grocery store in Norfolk featuring carry-out service and home delivery.

We take pride in our community and appreciate your business. We know that you have many options for food purchases and want you to know that we're working hard each day to continue to earn your business.

By shopping at our store each week, you accomplish the following ten items:

  1. You keep your dollars in our local economy.
  2. You help create local jobs.
  3. You nurture our local community.
  4. You help the environment by buying locally.
  5. You invest in local ownership.
  6. You create more choice in shopping.
  7. You utilize the many years of our experience and expertise in food.
  8. You embrace what makes us different from our larger, national competitors.
  9. You make our store a destination --- and we appreciate it!
  10. Every week you will find hundreds of specials throughout our store.

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