46�SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2025�ABASTO.COM By Hernando Ramírez-Santos W ith 17 stores across Chica- goland, Cer- mak Fresh Market stands as one of the Midwest’s most prominent Hispa- nic grocery retailers. At the recent Purple Crow trade show, Abas- to sat down with John Tsiones, Director of Pur- chasing, to learn how this family-run business stays ahead in serving one of the fastest-growing consumer segments in the U.S. A CHAIN ROOTED IN HISPANIC CULTURE Abasto: Seventeen stores in Chicago? Tat’s quite a footprint. It sounds like your customers are largely Hispanic. John Tsiones: Absolu- tely. Around 75% of our customers are Hispanic, and that’s who we cater to. Te energy here at the show refects our sto- res—it’s a perfect ft. Inside Cermak Fresh Market’s Hispanic Focus: JOHN TSIONES A Conversation with FOUR DECADES OF GROWTH AND FAMILY LEGACY Abasto: Tell us a bit about Cermak’s history. When did it begin, and how did you get involved? John Tsiones: Cermak is a family business that started about 40 years ago. Two families laun- ched the company, and it’s now grown into the Mid- west’s largest family-ow- ned grocery chain focused on Hispanic consumers. Tey’re second-genera- tion immigrants, and I’ve known them personally for 15 years. I ofcially joi- ned three years ago, and we’re working to take the company to the next level. Continues on page 48... FOOD INDUSTRY