Dear Friends, Customers, Partners and Supporters,
These past 13 years have been an incredible time in Glen Ellyn and beyond. It was a leap of faith in the fall of 2010 to contemplate starting a new business in the post-recession world of closed storefronts and general uncertainty. But I had an idea that had been brewing for a few years so, in spite of it all, the time had come to start a new career as an entrepreneur and my hometown of Glen Ellyn was the perfect place to do that.
I could not have been happier bringing my vision to life in 2011 with trusted partners, team members and the community and especially honoring my French chef grandfather, Marcel. The journey continued in 2015 with the opening of the jewel on the corner, Marché and then bringing our chefs to you with Maison in 2017.
Watching our town embrace the real meaning of shop local was so gratifying and was an ethos that carried us through the challenging days of the pandemic. It made me proud to see what community involvement can do to invigorate our downtown and Village.
So today it is both bittersweet and thrilling for me to announce that on June 1st, 2023 I am turning the reins of the Marcel’s family of businesses over to a fellow business owner and lover of all things beautiful and delicious, ready to add her dreams to the Marcel’s, Marché and Maison story.
Renee DiSanto has been adding layers to her own evolving and creative career on a parallel course, based on the same premise: to cook, create and celebrate through life. She is one half of the immensely successful, award-winning style mavens of Park and Oak Interiors. And recently, they have brought their interior styling and merchandising panache to the brick-and-mortar store, Park and Oak Collected, around the corner on Pennsylvania Avenue.
France is also in Renee’s blood, as her mother’s side hails from there and her great-grandfather was a French baker (as was mine!). She has ambitious plans to honor her families’ French roots throughout all of the businesses.
Renee and I are putting our heads together for a smooth transition ensuring that what you have come to know and love about the Marcel’s family of brands is consistently exceeding your expectations. There will be many exciting new plans in store to continue to surprise and delight you, our favorite followers. And, I will be around to assist with the process for some time.
So, the legacy continues and the stories layer with good friends, good food and good will within our close-knit community and beyond.
Thank you for being a part of my journey and for extending the welcome to Renee that she so deserves. The Marcel’s legacy is in good hands.
Jill Foucré
A New Chapter for the Marcel's Family