From the Philippines to Tinley: A Local Businessman Follows His Dream

4K’s Asian Mart, Inc., fits right in with the other businesses in Century Plaza. Its red lettering doesn’t stick out. The brick walls are in accordance with the other stores outward appearance. But is more than just your ordinary grocery store.

It’s the manifestation of a dream.

It’s dream that started with a little Filipino boy working at his family’s catering company.

“His father and grandfather took him to the business every single day” Nola Suarez said of her husband, store owner Ver Suarez.

Nola met Ver while he was learning his family’s business in the Philippines.

“He never complained because he loved to cook” she said “He always wanted to own his own store one day. That’s all he’d ever talk about.”

Ver realized that it would take a lot of work and finances to own his own business after coming to the states in 1991. But he was not deterred. While his wife worked as a nurse, Ver stayed home and worked on his business plan.

“I’d bring his food to the hospital for potlucks and parties. Eventually people would start requesting it,” Suarez said.

Ver also gained a reputation in the community. Whenever there was a big party, holiday, birthday or special occasion, the community called on Ver.

“He cooked for everything and everyone,” Nola said. “Everyone encouraged him to open a store but he didn’t know the business side, he only knew the cooking.”

It was support from the community that eventually gave the couple the extra motivation that they needed.

“I attended a party where he cooked the food and it was so good,” Orland Park resident Karen Deasis said. “Everyone said he should open his own business and he finally did. He’s known throughout our community and we support him.”

In 2008 Nola left the nursing industry and opened 4K’s Asian Mart, Inc., with her husband.

“I didn’t know much about business either but what little knowledge I’d gained had to be enough” Nola said with a bright smile and giggle. “I do all of the talking and he does all of the cooking.”

In a few short years the grocery and take-out store has become known for their traditional dishes like kilawin and pansit. They were one of 16 Tinley Park businesses to be recognized at a recent village hall meeting for having perfect health inspection reports on at least three of the last four inspections in 2010.

While 4K’s Asian Mart, Inc. specializes in take-out and catered orders they also sell groceries.

“We sell Chinese and Japanese traditional foods too,” Nola said.

If a customer is looking for something they don’t carry, Nola will put in a special order.

The couple spent seven years in Rockford before moving to Chicago and finally settling in Tinley Park. They chose the location because it’s accessible to the highway.

“We get customers from Michigan and Indiana” Nola said.

They also still take orders from her former coworkers.

“He’s the best at cooking” Deasis says.

And it looks like the rest of the community agrees.