Company Timeline
Wainer Companies is a distinguished real estate development and shopping center management firm with a rich history spanning over a century. Based in Louisiana, we specialize in enhancing and managing properties across St. Tammany, Jefferson, and Orleans Parishes. Our commitment to quality and community growth has established us as a trusted partner in the region's real estate landscape.
We focus on creating sustainable and attractive environments that foster local businesses and support community needs. Our extensive experience allows us to navigate the unique challenges of the Louisiana market while maintaining our dedication to excellence in customer service and development practices. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain dedicated to our mission of building vibrant communities through innovative real estate solutions.
1907-1930
Harry Wainer's journey as an immigrant from Lithuania to establishing a successful business in the United States is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. After arriving in the U.S. in the early 1900s, Harry initially settled in Mississippi before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he founded the St. Louis Hide and Fur Company in 1907. Located in the French Quarter at the corner of Iberville and Decatur Streets, his business quickly became a vital part of the local economy. By dealing in a wide range of goods such as hides, furs, scrap metal, rubber, and various discarded materials, the company addressed niche needs in New Orleans. It was noted in a 1911 newspaper article that the St. Louis Hide and Fur Company was the only business of its kind in the city at the time. Wainer's expertise in the fur trade was particularly notable. His company specialized in purchasing, storing, and shipping animal pelts, especially muskrat furs, which were highly sought after in the fashion industry. These pelts were sent to New York City, where they were sold to clothiers and manufacturers, contributing to the production of fur coats and other fur garments. In addition to the French Quarter location, Wainer expanded his operations to include a scrap metal yard in downtown Baton Rouge along St. Charles Street, further solidifying his influence in the region’s trade. By diversifying into various goods, Wainer positioned himself as one of the largest exporters of animal pelts in the country during his time, making the St. Louis Hide and Fur Company a key player in the American fur trade of the early 20th century.
1930-1950
In the early 1930s, Harry Wainer's oldest son, Uriah (Uri) Wainer, took the reins of the family business, assuming the role of president of several companies. Uri's leadership marked a new era for the family enterprise. He partnered with his sister Rose Wainer Blackman’s husband, Harry Blackman, and together they continued to focus on the company’s core businesses—hide and fur distribution and scrap metal. As the business grew, another important figure emerged: George (Buzzy) Wainer, Uri's brother, joined the business and became an integral part of its operations. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific, Lester Wainer, the youngest of the Wainer brothers, returned to New Orleans in 1946 and joined Uri and Buzzy in the family business. By the late 1940s, a significant change occurred in the fur industry. As muskrat populations began to dwindle, a new animal, the Nutria, began to proliferate in the Louisiana marshes. This shift presented a new opportunity for the Wainers, as Nutria pelts started to gain popularity in the fur trade, replacing muskrats as a primary source of pelts. The family business adeptly adapted to these changes, ensuring its ongoing success in the face of evolving market demands.
1950-1960
During the 1950s, the Wainer Brothers expanded their business interests beyond hides and furs, diversifying into the financial services industry. The Wainer brothers established Liberal Finance Corporation, which offered a range of loans, including signature loans, real estate loans, automobile loans, and furniture loans. This move allowed the family to tap into the growing consumer finance market and broaden their business operations. In the late 1950s, Harold Wainer, George Wainer’s son, joined the family business full-time, working at All-State Credit Plan, Inc., which was formerly known as Liberal Finance Corporation. Under the Wainers' leadership, All-State Credit Plan expanded significantly, operating 10 consumer finance offices in New Orleans and 13 branches in other cities across Louisiana. The Wainer’s eventually sold to U.S. Industries in 1970 but continued to play an integral role in thriving consumer finance industry across Louisiana and Mississippi, growing to 48 offices across two states.
1960-1970
In the 1960s, the Wainer brothers demonstrated remarkable foresight and business acumen by investing in large tracts of land on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, in St. Tammany Parish, long before the Causeway Bridge was built to connect New Orleans with the North Shore. One of their first significant ventures in St. Tammany was the purchase of land near what is now Lake Ramsey. In the 1960’s, they started financing lot sales in Flower Estates, one of the oldest subdivisions in Covington, Louisiana. This marked the beginning of their expansion into residential real estate. Building on the success of Flower Estates, the Wainers began to develop additional lots in later phases of the subdivision, selling them to homebuilders. This move allowed the Wainers to not only capitalize on the growing demand for housing but also further solidify their presence in St. Tammany Parish’s real estate market. Over the years, the Wainers would go on to develop over 1,500 acres in the area surrounding Flower Estates, creating a thriving corridor of real estate that remains a central focus of Wainer Companies today. The Wainers' investment in land and residential development played a key role in shaping the growth of the region, and their early vision continues to influence the area’s development.
1970-1980
In the 1970s, the Wainer brothers, along with George "Buzzy" Wainer's son and current managing partner, Harold Wainer, expanded their business into new ventures, notably in mobile home development and commercial real estate. In 1972, they purchased property in Westwego, Louisiana, to develop Circle West Mobile Home Estates. The park, which opened to the public that year, would grow to include over 400 mobile home rental sites. The Wainers managed the park for nearly five decades, operating it until its sale in 2019. Meanwhile, the Wainers also turned their attention to commercial real estate. In the early 1970s, they began acquiring and building shopping centers. Their first acquisitions were Lafreniere Plaza on Veterans Boulevard and Manhattan Plaza in Harvey, both of which they still own today. When they first purchased these properties, each center consisted of just one building and one tenant. However, over the years, they significantly developed both locations. By the mid-1970s, they constructed a new shopping center across from Lakeside Mall. As the years passed, the Wainers continued to expand these shopping centers, adding additional buildings and tenants. Today, Lafreniere Plaza and Manhattan Plaza combined houses around 40 tenants and encompass over 250,000 square feet of leasable space. These commercial properties have become a cornerstone of the Wainer family's real estate portfolio.
1980-1990
In the 1980s, the Wainer family continued to diversify and expand their business holdings across multiple industries. Their ventures during this time spanned commercial real estate, telecommunications, finance, utilities, and even the food industry. One of their key initiatives was the creation of Telemarketing Communications of Greater New Orleans, Inc. (TMC), an affordable long-distance telephone business. TMC opened its first office in New Orleans, offering affordable long-distance services at a time when telecommunications was becoming increasingly important to both consumers and businesses. In 1982, Bruce Wainer (Lester’s son) joined the family business, initially as a bookkeeper. However, along with his cousin Harold Wainer and their fathers, Bruce played a pivotal role in growing TMC into a national brand within the discount long-distance telephone industry. As their influence in telecommunications grew, the Wainers also continued to develop their real estate interests. They began acquiring additional land in Covington, Louisiana, where they initiated large residential subdivision projects, such as Crestwood Estates and Arrowood Estates. In addition to residential developments, the Wainers expanded into utilities. In 1984, they founded St. Tammany Utility Company, a business aimed at providing central sewer and water services to their residential developments and surrounding commercial businesses. The Wainers' finance operations also evolved during this period. The family’s financial arm became known as Advance Mortgage Company, L.L.C., which provided consumer loans and home mortgages.
1990-2000
In the 1990s, the Wainer family further expanded their business portfolio, venturing into the food industry as they continued to grow their real estate and finance holdings. Their newest business venture was the creation of Upside-Down Cajun Brands, offering a variety of unique food products, including a sweet and spicy pickle, mustard relish (Chow Chow), and honey mustard. The company quickly gained recognition for both the quality of its products and its innovative packaging. The Wainers’ product packaging earned widespread acclaim, most notably winning the Fancy Food Awards for Best Packaging. The innovation that set Upside-Down Cajun Brands apart was the patented upside-down jar design, where the jar was stored and displayed upside down, with the label positioned right side up, so it could only be read when viewed in the upside-down position. This clever design ensured that the pickles remained at the top, preserving their fullest flavor. The success of this packaging innovation was significant—soon after, major food brands like Lipton and Heinz adopted similar designs for their products, such as ketchup, mustard, and relish. Their innovative packaging became the trend in the condiment industry, and today, many condiments are packaged with the product at the lid. Throughout the 1990s, the Wainer family continued to focus on expanding their real estate holdings, particularly in Louisiana, as they concentrated on both commercial and residential development.
2000-Present
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which devastated the Greater New Orleans area, the Wainer family demonstrated resilience and a commitment to revitalizing the region. Shortly after the storm, the Wainers purchased and redeveloped an office building located on Veterans Boulevard, where they have operated their various companies and business interests since 2009. In 2013, the Wainer family welcomed a new generation into the business. Josh Wainer, Bruce’s son, and David Berins, Harry Wainer’s great-grandson, joined the family business. Their involvement helped ensure that Wainer Companies would continue to grow and evolve under the leadership of the next generations. As of today, Wainer Companies spans four generations, with Harold Wainer, Bruce Wainer, Josh Wainer, and David Berins serving as operating partners. While the family has had many different business ventures over the years, the core focus of the company has remained consistent: master-planned community land development and managing company-owned shopping centers. The Wainers' enduring legacy in the Greater New Orleans area, combined with their adaptability and forward-thinking approach, has made them a key player in both commercial real estate and land development over the past century.
