Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Buresh.
The store began with no store at all, but in a shared use commercial kitchen that allowed Steve to dell his cheesecake at local farmers markets. The markets provided him an opportunity to show off his cheesecake creations. His slices became very popular and soon restaurants wanted whole cheesecakes. He saw more potential than just selling wholesale, so he started to sell as a local food truck using his “cheesecake mobile” which is a modified Scion XB Van he built in his garage. Slices deemed too messy, so he needed something different to hold his cheesecake. After seeing some mason jar canning videos, he decided to try baking cheesecake right in the Mason jar. After many broken jars and failed attempts he discovered a successful process. The mason jars were something that no one had seen before. He proclaimed “my slices come in a portable jar” and fans from all over flocked to his “pop-up stops” in parking lots all over the Chicagoland area to buy this crazy creation.
In 2015, despite the bumps along the road, he finally was able to open up a brick and mortar shop in Plainfield, Illinois. “It’s the greatest feeling when you supply a product that makes customers happy and they come back for more.”
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?
There was always ups and downs. Most of it was financial since at times I wasn’t bringing in any money for the family. All the paperwork to get started was also a bear.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store & Sandwich shop story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a cheesecake and sandwich shop. I started selling cheesecake in Mason jars since slices didn’t travel well. I’m very proud of my store and the staff I’ve hired. They make this journey so great. We are currently the only cheesecake and sandwich shop which is really cool.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
When it’s slow we are always lucky to have great fans. They will just come in and order for a shower coming up out of the blue. It’s crazy.
Pricing:
- Mason jar cheesecake $6.00
- Panini from $7.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 14210 South Route 30
Plainfield, Il 60544 - Website: www.cheesecakestoreonline.com
- Email: steve@cheesecakestoreonline.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/SteveBureshsCheesecakeStore
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
