JRMorreale Meat Co.

The business started with humble beginnings in 1929. A young man John R. Morreale and his wife Lena began selling and delivering meat out of the back of his horse drawn wagon in the Chicago area.

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

John F. was in Law School and after finishing Law School he started his own Law Practice and eventually became John R. Morreale Meat Company Attorney.

In 1950 at the age of 18, Carl went to work with his father at a building on Fulton Street. The building unfortunately burnt down.

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 the year 1976 John R. Morreale had grown to weekly sales between 160,000 to 180,000 lbs.

In 1978 Carl was ready to retire to Florida so he asked his long time friend, John Lucaccioni to be his partner and run the business. It was auspicious timing for John and he accepted.

Very soon after the partnership the sales volume increased significantly and more space was needed. The partnership purchased the building next door located at 220 N. Peoria St were they would bone cattle and also started a boxed beef distribution company.

In 1985 sales volume had grown to 2 Million lbs weekly. Trucks were coming and going with no place to store boxes. Out of necessity in 1993 the partnership purchased the Old Hygrade Sausage Company Building. It was a block away at 820 Fulton St. It had 10,0000 sq ft and provided the extra space needed. However, it was very old and in rough condition. It took 10 months to refurbish the building from the basement to the roof and reinforcing each floor with steel.

In the mid 1990's Mad Cow Disease and the USDA restriction changed the course of JRMorreale meat business. They changed from bning cattle to a trimmings operation. The combination of boxed beef distribution and trimming business kept the company in the black.

In 1997 Carl Morreale was ready to be out of the business and asked his partner John Lucccioni to buy him out. A deal was made and John became the sole owner of John R. Morreale Company from 1997 to 2007.

On January 1, 2007 John sold the business and real estate to 3 of his executives that 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, Bedford Park, 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.