Roberts Co. opened first store in 1968 The late H. David "Doc" Roberts founded the family's first grocery store in 1968. The Roberts and Martin Foods Co. became a limited liability corporation in 1972. The Roberts family bought out the Martins around 2002, and it has been the Roberts Co. since. Doc Roberts' son, Forrest Roberts, eventually took over the family business, and his son, David Roberts, is the third generation of family grocers. Sunflower Market was Roberts' original chain, with the first store opening in 1968 on West Pine Street. County Market stores followed. The Roberts Co. has kept the grocery chains small — around 16-20 stores — with locations across the state of Mississippi. Forrest Roberts traveled the country with some of the store's wholesalers to look at different concepts before creating the first Corner Market. Corner Market stores introduced new items, like an olive bar, gourmet cheeses and exotic fruits and vegetables, while keeping basic grocery store items in stock. "My dad kinda wanted a new vision for the grocery store role," David Roberts said. "That (first) store was the bomb." The new Corner Market idea expands on the original concept. "It really just evolved from there," David Roberts said. "Now we're going bigger. We used to be a boutique (chain). But Hattiesburg has needed a larger grocery store for awhile, and we saw the opportunity to grow."