Laibel Hackner
Laibel Hackner and Steve Fuerst are entrepreneurs on the go. They saw a need in their Fondren neighborhood for kosher groceries, meats, and dairy items; while juggling other business ventures, they opened up a shop selling those goods in Laibel’s garage.
Then in February, Hackner and Fuerst opened a grocery store in a storefront, called the Kosher Butcher, in the strip center at 9846 Fondren, catering to the needs of customers who observe Jewish dietary laws. At least four synagogues and other Jewish institutions are located on the Fondren corridor and others dot southwest Houston.
Packed with every kind of kosher products, the store is lined with aisle after aisle of dry goods and frozen and refrigerated foods. Plans are underway to have a “one-stop-shop” type of place for everything kosher, perhaps with a place to grab a kosher bite to eat as well.
“We want to go big, and have a deli and eating area along the back of the store, along with a massive patio out back for customers to dine right on the premises,” Hackner said.
“We are listening to the voice of the people,” he added. “Customers come in and tell us what they want, and we consistently add to our stock here.”
The supply chain has presented some challenges, though the high energy and optimistic Hackner refrains from using any negative words like “issue” or “challenge.”
“Every day, I text (out-of-state) suppliers to see what is available, and I find opportunities and create relationships with vendors,” Hackner explained.
As they get more licenses to sell various foods, the partners plan to create an entire long wall of refrigerated cases for fresh and frozen meats and other refrigerated foods. Also planned is a fresh produce section.
But a large assortment of popular kosher snack Bissli and aisles of candy products are making the store the choice for local neighborhood children and their parents. There is so much to see and buy that the store dwarfs the kosher sections in supermarkets in the area.
The store sells traditional challah bread for the sabbath — and it always sells out.
Yet Hackner said he doesn’t think that local people who observe kosher dietary laws have discovered the store yet. He is looking to get the word out to observant Jews across the city.
— by Arlene Nisson Lassin
