Photography by Roy Son
Today, Surdyk’s Liquor & Cheese Shop is captained by the third and fourth generations of its namesake family. Jim Surdyk and his children, Melissa, Molly and Taylor, pride themselves on the store’s local roots and enduring legacy. “The past generations of our family have been businessmen and -women who took risks, tried new ventures and pushed the boundaries to determine their success,” says Melissa. “It’s rewarding to carry on that tradition.”
Since opening as a grocery in Northeast Minneapolis in 1934, the market has evolved to its current iteration as a liquor and cheese shop with catering services. The store’s longtime staff and deeply ingrained identity complement its quality offerings. “We have staff who’ve worked here longer than I’ve been alive,” Melissa explains. “We know our customers by name, we know the community, and we’ve worked hard to become the best possible option for customers who hope to find extensive selections of wine, beer and liquor as well as cigars, cheeses and specialty foods.”
Lovers of food and wine experience sheer epicurean joy merely strolling down the shop’s aisles, which are populated with globally sourced products. “For me, being part of an organization that’s so fluid and able to evolve is meaningful,” Melissa notes. “My siblings and I couldn’t do what we do without the long traditions and knowledgeable people who help keep the wheels turning.”
Read this article as it appears in the magazine.
