NEW ORLEANS — When Fayad Araiji came to Crowley, La., from Zgharta in northern Lebanon in 1920, he did not speak a word of English. But by 1928, Mr. Araiji, by then known as Fred Reggie, had started three businesses, including a grocery store stocked with canned goods, flour and vegetables.

Now, his great-granddaughter Simone Reggie is doing her best to keep up.

In late 2016, Ms. Reggie, 40, opened Simone’s Market, a grocery that stresses local produce, products and meals prepared in house. It is her third venture since getting her master of business administration from Tulane University in 2012, and one that she approaches as if she were serving family and friends.

“They’re guests in our home,” Ms. Reggie said. “When they come in, I want everyone to feel like they’re very important.”

Kristen Essig, co-chef at the New Orleans restaurant Coquette and a finalist for this year’s James Beard Award for best chef in the South, said Ms. Reggie “runs her business as she lives her life: with generosity, compassion and thoughtfulness.”