JRMorreale Meat Co.

The business was founded in 1920 with humble beginnings. John R. Morreale and his wife, Lena, began selling and delivering meat throughout the Chicago area from the back of his horse-drawn wagon.

John R. and Lena had 4 children: John F., Carl, Rose and Joanne.

After completing law school, John F. established his own law practice and later served as the attorney for the John R. Morreale Meat Company.

In 1950, at just 18 years old, Carl began working alongside his father at their Fulton Street location. Unfortunately, the building was later destroyed by fire

In 1955, their business had flourished and this afforded them the opportunity to purchase a building at 216 N Peoria Street in Chicago.

In 1963, John R. Morreale passed away and left the business to Carl. At the time the company carried many products of beef and pork. Rails were installed and the company began handling and processing Utility Cattle. Their clients were peddlers, restaurants and sausage makers.

By 1976, John R. Morreale's weekly sales had grown to between 160,000 to 180,000 pounds.

In 1978, Carl decided he was ready to retire and move to Florida. He approached his longtime friend, John Lucaccioni, about becoming his partner and running the business. The timing was right for John, and he accepted.

Shortly after the partnership was formed, sales volume increased significantly, creating a need for additional space. The partners purchased the building next door located at 220 N. Peoria St, where they began boning cattle and launched a boxed beef distribution company.

By 1985, weekly sales had reached 2 million lbs. weekly. With trucks constantly coming and going, there was no longer adequate space to store boxes. In response, the partnership purchased the Old Hygrade Sausage Co building in 1993, located a block away at 820 Fulton Street. The 100,000 square foot facility provided the additional space they needed. However, the building was in poor condition and required extensive renovations. Over the course of 10 months, it was refurbished from the basement to the rood, with each floor reinforced with steel.

In the mid-1990's, the outbreak of Mad Cow Disease and resulting USDA restrictions significantly impacted Morreale's meat operations. The company shifted from bringing in cattle to focusing on a trimming operation. The combination of boxed beef distribution and trimming services allowed the business to remail profitable.

In 1997, Carl Morreale decided to exit the business and offered to sell his share to John Lucaccioni. A deal was reached, and John became the sole owner of John R. Morreale Company from 1997 to 2007.

On January 1, 2007, John sold the business and its real estate to three long-time executives who had worked with the company for over 20 years: Steve Hurkes (Production), Jerry Schomer (Controller) and Mike Magrini (Sales Manager).

John R. Morreale Meat Co.

7035 W 65th Street, Unit C, Chicago, IL 60638

History of John R. Morreale

Owners . . . Bob Apato and Tony Frigo

the story continues . . .

7035 W 65th Street, Unit C Chicago, IL 60638 I Office 312-421-3664 Fax 312-421-6955

John R. Morreale, Inc.