Sunset Opens

John J. Cortesi launches Sunset Foods in a 25 foot by 30 foot storefront in downtown Highland Park. Orders were placed over the phone as self shopping didn’t yet exist.

Farm-to-Table

John is joined by his brothers Otto, Willie, and Hugo and Sunset relocates to a nearby larger space and begins offering self-service shopping - a new concept. Sunset begins offering locally sourced farm-to-table items including Didier Farms Produce and Kauffman Family Farms Turkey. Innovations which were decades ahead of their time and continue to this day.

Community Values

As the Cortesi family - and Sunset’s family of customers - continued to expand, a second location was added in downtown Northbrook in 1960. A third store followed in West Lake Forest. Customer service remained Sunset’s highest priority and the stores soon become informal community meeting hubs.

It’s Only Natural

A new Lake Forest store is built and Sunset continues a tradition of cutting edge innovation introducing fresh seafood counters and salad bars. The Northbrook location expands to provide a large dedicated section of “natural foods” - a category which was almost unheard of at the time.

Now We’re Cooking

As the 20th Century draws to a close, Sunset opens its fourth location in the thriving community of Libertyville. This new location offers a Grill with seating and a full menu of prepared fresh sandwiches and entrees.

Sunset Smokehouse launches offering authentic American barbecue ribs and brisket freshly smoked on-site. In 2011, Sunset unveils its fifth and most ambitious store in Long Grove. This location features green building materials, extensive organic and gluten-free selections, and a fresh sushi bar. Soon after, Sunset introduces full service online shopping, launches Sunset Floral Design - a full-service florist, and begins adding wine and tap rooms to its stores.