Founded one day from today in 1952, Paul W. Marks Co. is celebrating 60 years of distributing the finest dairy and specialty products to foodservice accounts throughout New England. What started out as solely an egg distribution company at Faneuil Hall Market by Paul and Evelyn Marks has blossomed into a 3rd generation family business with over 100 employees. The company now distributes more than 3,500 products to 2,500 restaurants, institutions and independent retail outlets throughout the Northeast.
The company’s 60th birthday celebration was held adjacent to 6 North Market in Faneuil Hall where it spent its first 21 years of business. The Marks family commemorated the historic milestone with a special 60th birthday cheesecake prepared by Community Servings, a social service agency it supports. Peter Christie, President of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, was on hand to recognize the company’s many years of distinguished service, along with other noteworthy guests.
“Gathering at what is now Faneuil Hall Marketplace is an opportunity for us to honor our heritage and pay tribute to our parents for what they started,†said co-owner Peter Marks. “As we celebrate with the friends, family and employees that helped get us here today, we look forward to many more years of servicing our valued customers throughout Boston and well beyond.â€
“We pride ourselves in being one of the last independent food distributors in New England,†added Co-Owner Philip Marks. “And we’ve achieved this by staying true to the core value our father instilled in us – to provide outstanding quality and service to our customers at all times.â€
New Expansion to Fuel More Growth
The additional warehouse space will give Paul W. Marks Co. over 100,000 square feet of storage space at its Everett facility. The company will use the space to operate more efficiently, and to keep larger quantities of product in stock. An official media and industry Grand Opening is being planned for Spring 2013.
Prior to moving to its present location of 8 Commercial Street in Everett in 1984, Paul W. Marks Co. was located at Everett’s historic Charleston Chew building, where it moved its distribution and storage operations after Faneuil Hall’s initial renovation in 1973. From 1976 to 1992, the company still maintained a presence at Faneuil Hall Market where it operated a retail cheese shop, eventually closing to allow the company to concentrate on its core business.
“I’m proud to be an integral part of the Paul W. Marks tradition,†said Paul W. Marks II, grandson of the founder. “My brother Brian, cousin Jonathan Marks and myself are all looking forward to continuing the company’s growth while adhering to the customer oriented principles clearly defined by our grandfather.†A key individual who will share in the 60th celebration is 91-year old Stu Berry, who is the last known person in Boston to deliver milk on a horse drawn cart, and who still makes sales calls to key accounts each week.