Today we’d like to introduce you to Max and Howard Chernawsky.
Max and Howard, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My father Howard was a pharmacist for many years and owned a small drug store in Glenview. Through the years of owning this drug store, he realized that he found more enjoyment in finding product and merchandise for the store rather than filling the prescriptions. In 1986 he teamed up with Jack Siegal and started H&J Liquidators & Closeouts, Inc. My father already had an 8,000-square foot warehouse in Franklin Park, IL. that they used to store and sell the merchandise they were purchasing. Located near many warehouses, the pair quickly found merchandise from different wholesalers to purchase and resell at rock bottom prices. After finding a method that worked for them, Jack and Howard sold their merchandise to other wholesalers and began advertising in the Chicago Tribune to market to individuals seeking liquidated items. After much perseverance and hard work, the duo made their closeout dream a success and H & J Liquidators and Closeouts, Inc. became a notable source for below wholesale prices. As the early 1990’s approached, my dad realized the future of the business would rely heavily on internet sales and created an early version of what www.hjcloseouts.com looks like today. In 1998, my dad bought Jack Siegal out and was the sole owner-operator of H&J Liquidators & Closeouts, Inc.
After graduating college, I worked for a large Commercial Real estate company in Chicago. About 2 years in that industry, I realized that business was ultimately not my passion. With my father realizing the growth potential of the internet, he asked me to come into the business knowing that I can be an asset. In 2003, I started working with my dad and we are now selling heavily online and wholesaling to a much larger network while storing product in our 60,000 square foot location.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Like every other business, our road has had some growing pains. Operating out of a small warehouse and many satellite warehouses was not cost-effective and was logistically challenging. In 2008, we consolidated our business into (1) 60,000 square foot location. This was a very expensive move but in the long run has been very profitable.
Another challenge of ours has been inventorying product. Sometimes we purchase items in bulk that we don’t even know what product is on these pallets. Through the years, we have perfected this inventorying process by a better organization in the warehouse with pallet racking and separation bins. We have also purchased more efficient equipment to handle this type product.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with H&J Liquidators & Closeouts, Inc. – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
H & J Liquidators and Closeouts, Inc. specializes in providing high-quality merchandise at prices often unheard of in the closeout industry. With 30 years of experience, our company offers customers the unique ability to choose from a large selection of merchandise for prices that start at under five cents. Serving almost the entire wholesale and retail community, all of our merchandise is on-site and ships from Des Plaines, Illinois.
Unlike most wholesale and liquidation companies, we sell products by the case. This not only makes buying from our company more budget-friendly, but our large inventory almost guarantees that we have what you’re looking for. Our minimum order size is just one case, saving you the headache of figuring out to do with shipments that you really don’t need. In addition to working with customers, we also resell to other close-out retailers, distributors, dollar stores, specialty stores, convenience stores, travel centers, flea markets, fundraising organizations, auction companies, Internet resellers, eBay stores, marketing and promotional companies. With so much wholesale experience, it is no surprise that individual customers can expect a professional experience when they order from H & J Liquidators for all of their wholesale merchandise needs.
As a company, we are most proud of our uniqueness. We are able to purchase merchandise that others have difficulty selling and in doing so we are able to find new markets to sell these products We do this by creative marketing. Our marketing capabilities are what separates us from our competition.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Moving forward, we would like to expand our purchasing powers while continuing to focus and grow our online business. There are many online platforms that we are looking to partner with to sell more product.
Contact Info:
- Address: 125 E. Oakton – #2
Des Plaines, IL. 60018 - Website: www.hjcloseouts.com
- Phone: 224-567-6030
- Email: support@hjcloseouts.com
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