Jill Foucré, Founder/Owner: September 26, 2011 was the culmination of years of musing and many months of developing the plan, building the team, and executing on a million details to get to opening day. I had a lot of significant accomplishments in my professional career but had never felt the level of satisfaction that I did that day of taking an abstract idea and turning it into a brick and mortar reality. And of course that day we made the first entry on the revenue line and after 12 months of hemorrhaging cash, that was welcome!
Fast forward to today and I look around at our community of team members, customers, vendors, reps, advisors, fellow business owners, community leaders and so many others who have made Marcel's (and its sister companies) so special. It's the people. It's always the people. And I am so grateful to each and every one but especially to those who are sharing the page with me here who have been on the journey with me for 10 years. So much has happened but it also feels like yesterday.
Dana Williams, General Manager: My favorite Marcel’s memory is the love and support that not only the Glen Ellyn community, but surrounding communities showed the store during the 2020 holiday shopping season. Every single day, I spoke with customers (old and new) who stressed the fact that shopping local and supporting independent businesses was a priority when it came to their holiday gift giving.
Kelly Sears, Marcel's Executive Chef and Maison Chef: From “Do you think this can happen?” to “I think we can make this happen.” to “Here we go, it’s happening!” to “It’s still happening.” to “Oh boy, this is happening, we better adjust.” to “It’s still happening, Happy Tenth Anniversary!” Lucky and proud to be a part of it all!
Paul Lindemuth, Marcel's Chef and Maison Executive Chef: Creating the 5th anniversary dinner and working alongside the retail staff to orchestrate a 96 foot long table in front of the store and watching them create a beautiful tablescape. Then working in the kitchen with the entire chef team to prepare dinner which we personally served to the guests was one of the best experiences I’ve been a part of at Marcel’s.
Rita Cevaal, Retail Manager: Working with all my fun and fabulous coworkers, being a part of the Marcel’s family; all the cooking classes taken with family and friends! And all the new foods I have tried and new recipes from classes that are now family favorites. Working in downtown Glen Ellyn and supporting the other local businesses, being able to walk to work, meeting new people at the store and seeing them out and about in town, catching up with old friends and neighbors that stop in the store.
Teri Hiben. Retail Lead and Kitchen Manager: Marcel’s is the people. Our customers, culinary assistants, dishwashers, holiday wrappers and especially my co-workers - both retail and chefs. It’s as though a group of mostly strangers have grown in skill and understanding, and shed some tears but mostly laughter and become a group of friends that has grown into a family.
Katie Wojciechowski, Marcel's and Maison Chef: My favorite memory from working at Marcels has to be, after teaching one of the Midday at Marcel's classes and having an absolute blast with that day's group of students, realizing that one of them was my teacher from third grade! A true life comes full circle moment for me.
Monica Griesemer, Culinary Assistant: My favorite memories are the many very friendly students I’ve met along the way. Most are not aware that the culinary assistants volunteer their time at Marcel’s and have a genuine love of cooking and learning something new ( which happens just about every single class)! On occasion a student will remember our name from taking a prior class. I’ve assisted the majority of, “Girls Night Out” evenings which is always a fun and lively time. |
September... it's the month we've been waiting for so we can celebrate our 
