New Glen Ellyn market prides itself on prime cuts of beef
The goal of a new Glen Ellyn business is to make eating at home as easy and enjoyable as eating out.
To achieve this objective, three area men launched Chicago Prime Meat Market, a shop featuring premium meat and gourmet foods.
USDA Prime beef, semi-prepared meals and marinated and stuffed meats ready to go on the grill are the focus of the business, which opened June 14 at 711 Roosevelt Road.
Tim O'Day and John Murphy, both of Glen Ellyn, own and operate the business with Chicago resident Ken Agojci, who runs the day-to-day operations of the shop.
The idea for the business stems, in part, from O'Day's background in the meat industry. He grew up working alongside his grandfather, father and uncle in the family's chain of Chicago-area stores that sold large quantities of USDA Prime cuts, including full sides of beef. He explained many customers would buy large portions of meat to freeze.
He believes people do this less now as there are more dual-working families preparing fewer home-cooked meals.
O'Day and his business partners found that when people eat at home, they want quality meats.
In addition to quality steaks, the shop also caries Kobe Japanese-style beef, which is more expensive, but has been popular.
The shop features a full kitchen where meals are prepared and ready to take home and warm up or put on the grill. Rotisserie chicken and barbecue ribs are popular. Side dishes are also offered, including roasted potatoes, seafood salad and potato salad. A roasted vegetable bar is another highlight.
Boar's Head deli meats are another popular pick. On Saturdays, customers are able to sample many of the meats sold at the market.
O'Day, continues to work as COO of Medspeed in Elmhurst. He and his wife are raising two children.
Murphy, who continues to work as an investment banker, brings strategic and management experience to the new business. He and his wife, Bari, are raising 11-year-old triplets and a 5-year old son.
Agojci, a certified gourmet cook, draws inspiration for the prepared foods from dishes of his native Albania. The meals combine Greek and Italian cooking, resulting in a Mediterranean taste. Agojci and wife Linda have a 5-year-old daughter.
The business owners are planning on expanding the business to other locations and possibly offering franchise opportunities.
The business is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call (630) 790-0100 or visit www.Chicagoprimemarket.com.