Old Havana Foods Surviving, Growing Stronger in Tough Economy

When Julian Crews of Grayslake started developing his business, Old Havana Foods, the economy was holding up. In early 2008 things were looking good and Crews was putting the finishing touches on the specialty food company. But by the time he was ready to launch late that year, things had changed.

"I was hoping it would be a smooth and easy opening, but the recession hit and that's how it goes," Crews said. "If anything it has made us better and smarter in running the business."

Crews, a reporter for WGN News by day, and an entrepreneur by night (or afternoon as he reports for the morning newscast) is Cuban-American. His parents arrived to the United States in 1960. He was born in 1962 in New York.

He founded Old Havana Foods as a way to pass on the culinary traditions of Cuba. His products are made of the recipes passed down from his grandparents and include an all-purpose Sautéed Seasoning (Sofrito) that is used as a base in many dishes, recipe-ready black beans, chili cubano mix and more.

"It's really exactly like my grandparents and parents would make. The recipes are spot-on," Crews said.

Old Havana Foods' seasoning are made in McHenry County and his beans are made in Hoopeston, located in central Illinois. The company is family-operated, his wife running the books and working distribution alongside Crews at their warehouse located at 1417 Indian Grass Lane in Grayslake.

"It's not exactly the vision I had," Crews admits, "You always hear that starting a business is the hardest thing you'll ever do. In this economy it's even harder."

But that, perhaps, is what has driven Old Havana Foods to be successful so far.

"It has really forced us to be very efficient and focus tightly on getting a foothold in the specialty foods business," Crews said. Often times he will be seen doing cooking demonstrations at the grocery stores that carry his products, including all Sunset Foods grocery stores, at the EJ's in Glencoe or the Grand Food Center in Winnetka.

"It's all about survival. In this economy we have to cut costs, but that's what starting up a small business is all about," he said.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is familiar with entrepreneurs in the area. Executive Director Shaunese Teamer said even with a tough economy she is seeing growth in locally owned businesses.

"Entrepreneurial spirit can defy the laws of economy and make those businesses successful based on the owner's passion," Teamer said. "A strategic business leaders understands economic fluctuations and is prepared to adjust production and preparation costs accordingly until the metrics become too unstable."

Old Havana Foods is growing, even if slowly. Along with being available in stores, products are available online. And, currently distributed to Australia. Crews said he is talking with large distributors to take Old Havana Foods to the next level."It's one step at a time," he said.