It's all in the family
West Lynn's Old Neighborhood Foods Continues a Long Tradition with Expansion
Daily Evening Item, 11.09.02

Thomas L. Demakis the president of Old Neighborhood Foods, was taught by his father, Louis to pose the same question of himself at the end of every workday: Have I earned my pay?
Based on his performance in building and steering a family business whose annual sales top $50 million , the answer is yes.

"As long as you are breathing, you should be producing, Demakes said. "There is no such thing as standing still, or you are going to atrophy and die."

Old Neighborhood Foods, the historic West Lynn meat manufacturer, is in a perpetual state of growth. The company ties tradition with innovation for a successful business formula. The facility's most recent phase of structural development - a $2 million renovation - began in 2001 and will be completed next February.

"For generations, the Demakes family has given generously to Lynn both personally and professionally," said Mayor Edward J. "Chip" Clancy.

"Tom Demakes and Old Neighborhood Foods have done a lot for that area of the city," said Charles J. Gaeta, EDIC/ Lynn chairman. "We are looking forward to working with Demakes on his next expansion project: the development of the adjacent Carr Leather lot."

Demakes attributes his workn ethic as a family trait. Old Neighborhood Foods began in 1914 as a side business in Waterhill Street home of his grandparents Euthymios and Yiannoula Demakes.

The family lived upstairs and ran a grocery store below. In the store's back room they made Yiannoula's secret-recipe locanico (sausage). The Demakes' four sons traveled every morning before school to collect orders from vendors in cities throughout Greater Boston, and then delivered the orders after school.

Old Neighborhood Foods remains a family business. Yiannoula's three grandsons, Tim (secretary), John (vice president), and Tom Demakes are managing the company's growth. "Building this business was very tough," Demakes said. "When we came in, it was antiquated. We had to struggle to catch up and keep up. As a family business we understand if we are going to survive, we have to beat the big companies at their game."

Once known as Holiday Brand, the products were renamed Old Neighborhood Foods in 1984. Old Neighborhood's products include various cold cuts, roast beef, corned beef, pastrami, mortadella, salami, hot dogs, and ethnic sausages. Products are sold to supermarket chains and foodservice companies throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey. Old Neighborhood also makes store brands and private label brands.

The Old Neighborhood Foods manufacturing plant is located on the original site of the Demakes family home, and employs more than 240 people at its two Lynn facilities.

It is under strict U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. An inspector is on the premises for the entire manufacturing shift every day. "There is no tolerance for inferior food products," Demakes said. "We have to produce better quality products at lower prices. It's actually not that hard to do, because our competitors are so big they can't maneuver at the speed that we can."

In 1988, as a response to an increased demand for healthier meat products, Old Neighborhood introduced its Thin 'N Trim low-fat, low-sodium line of deli products. "It's the best tasting deli meat line on the market, because we designed it. It was made to our specifications," Demakes said. "We constantly check to see that it meets our quality standards."

Over the last five years, Old Neighborhood has diversified into the area of convenience slicing. The business provides sliced products to retail customers and others, such as Dunkin' Donuts for their ham and egg breakfast sandwiches. "The trend is that supermarkets don't have enough deli help, and people want to quickly pick up products that are ready to serve," Demakes said. "There's been a big push in the industry to manufacture ready-to-eat sliced cold cuts that can go directly into a store's deli case for a customer's quick and easy selection."

Demakes entered the family business in the 1960's after graduating from the College of William and Mary and serving in the 4th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army for two years, one of which he spent in Vietnam.

"When I got home, I promised myself I'd make every day count," Demakes said. "I would be productive every day to thank God for getting me out of Vietnam alive."

Though Old Neighborhood has come a long way from its humble origins, Demakes says he has not forgotten his history. "My family were immigrants. Immigrants have always worked hard and climbed the ladder. Today we employ 200 immigrants in every Tier of production, from plant laborers to skilled foremen. They are ambitious, good people. This company couldn't run without them."

Demakes takes good corporate citizenship seriously. Old Neighborhood Foods gives to the community through sponsorship and encourages its employees to do the same. The business supports Little League, Pop Warner, Boy Scuts, Girl Scouts, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, and other charitable organizations in the Greater Lynn area.

"I love to make good things happen," Demakes said. "I am proud to be a Lynn kid. I love Lynn. It's our home. We never gave a thought to being anywhere else than in Lynn."

He currently serves on the boards of the Agganis Foundation, Community Credit Union, the Gerondelis Foundation, Community Credit Union, the Gerondelis Foundation, and St. George's Church in Lynn.

Two of the Demakes' three sons have recently graduated from college and entered the workforce. His advice to them: "No one owes you anything. Don't expect a thing. Be fair and honest in all your dealings. If you have a brain, two legs, and two hands and will do an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, you will do fine.