In this month’s Five Questions (page 48), Jacob Portnoy, who recently reopened his Majic Market at 640 W. Woodbine Ave., told us about his best-selling gyros, how he came to this country and what makes Majic Market so darn magical. Now, in the second part of this interview, Portnoy reveals what separates his market from other area quick-stops and how the events of September 11 put him where he is today.
Is Majic Market like a 7-11? Yes and no. 7-11 is a chain, and we’re independently owned. With 7-11, the name speaks for itself: They’re open 7 days, 24 hours. I’m not gonna work that many hours. Also, my store is a mini market, and I do not have as much variety as 7-11. I have sized down to focus on the sandwiches.
Do you have a food background? My background has nothing to do with the retail business. I have a degree in engineering, and all my life I have worked in the aircraft and aerospace industry. After September 11, the aircraft industry was resized. There was a domino effect, and finally it affected my company. I was 58, and I knew that even with my experience nobody would hire me. I asked myself, what can I do best? I realized it was deal with customers, suppliers and employees. I decided the retail business was gonna fit my background.
Why do people like the Majic Market so much? I have very loyal customers, and they are so excited because this is a hallmark of Kirkwood. I have so many calls, every day, people excited we are open again. On the Facebook page for Kirkwood, the No. 1 story is that Majic Market is re-opening.
— Photo by Matt Marcinkowski
This article appears in Aug 1-31, 2011.