Who's Who on Our "Grand Crew"

Schaefer's has been a Chicagoland tradition since 1936 because of its incredible selection, competitive prices, unmatched expertise, and superlative customer service (for a short history of Schaefer's, click here).

Schaefer's is not just a place, not just goods and services. It's the people who make it unique. No other store is as old as we are, and no other store has such an experienced staff. Most of the people who work at Schaefer's have been here for more than a decade, many for 20 or more years. In a small retail business, that kind of longevity and loyalty is almost unheard of. Is it the wine? Perhaps, but it's also the kind of people they are, people who derive a great deal of satisfaction from providing the unequaled service Schaefer's offers its customers, and that's something that's hard to find in any business.

The tradition of family ownership remains with Schaefer’s. Bill Graham, the new owner, is a North Shore native. His father was on professional staff at Evanston Hospital and NU for over forty years. His family, parents, three siblings & mother-in-law all reside within a three mile radius he affectionately dubs the “Bermuda hexagon.” 

Bill finished Northwestern’s Kellogg School in the mid-1990s and built a business in Waukegan with his brother Mike. They sold their business in 2005. That year Bill, and wife Libby, also a New Trier grad, welcomed their first daughter. Eighteen months later a little fella joined the ranks.

Bill is an avid outdoorsman and private pilot. As a Cubs season ticket holder, he shares our Schaefer team compulsion. He also loves his new five-minute work commute.

Bill was excited when the opportunity to buy a local landmark presented itself. His last business was based on exceeding customers’ expectations in every respect. He’s excited to provide friends, neighbors and community an energized Schaefer’s Fine Wines, Foods & Spirits that would make four generations of the Schaefer family proud.

Anje Schaefer Cluxton, Executive Vice President - Since 1989 (right). Anje carries on the family tradition in the store founded by her grandfather. More about Anje.

The rest of our "Grand Crew" in order of seniority

Sterling Pratt, Wine Director - Since 1978. As Schaefer's wine director, Sterling spends much of his time meeting with suppliers. He does the majority of the wine buying for Schaefer's, and has the sometimes-enviable-sometimes-not job of tasting a wide range of wines from around the world to decide which ones to add to the store's racks. Sterling also is one of the store's oldest Mac geeks. He designs the store's print publications, ads, and mailers, and is principally responsible for maintaining this Web site. More about Sterling.

Dan Madden, General Manager - Since 1979. Dan's name is familiar to any customer who's ever come to Schaefer's for party-planning advice. Dan's the person who can bring it all together. He works closely with local caterers, and knows the ins and outs of most of the clubs, hotels and other party venues on the North Shore. Schaefer's general manager since 2009, he asks all the right questions of party planners to make sure they will have everything they need, and then works closely with our delivery department to get everything there on time. Dan also is the go-to person for any beer-related question -- from party kegs to pilsners from Prague. More about Dan.

Sandra Petersen, Food Manager - Since 1984. Sandra is one of the the North Shore's most knowledgeable cheese experts. Her first job at Schaefer's was in the wine department, but when the decision was made to open a food department, Sandra, having worked with caterers, restaurants and people in the food industry, was the obvious choice to head up the new venture. Her responsibilities include everything from planning private and corporate gifts to answering customers' questions about the meats, cheeses, and patés in our Gourmet Deli. More about Sandra.

Byron Wilson, Emeritus Baron of the Beer Aisle - Since 1990. Byron's principal responsibility is mounting an effective "exit strategy" -- moving customers quickly and efficiently past his cash register as they check out. Once a week, he also plays another important role as the "Baron of the Beer Aisle," talking to customers about the beers that are open for tasting each Saturday. Byron started at Schaefer's in 1990. More about Byron.

Mary Liliedahl, Food Director - Since 1993. No one who visits our food department comes away without meeting Mary, who manages the department and is one of the store managers. She likes the fast pace and the camaraderie at Schaefer's. Customers look to Mary for her ideas and her quick, no-nonsense solutions to their entertaining challenges. Need appetizers for 60 people in an hour? A picnic basket to impress a first date? A hostess gift for an impossible-to-please potential in-law? Let Mary help. She also has a talent for enabling her customers to entertain with hassle-free confidence, providing do-it-yourself advice on everything from a wine-and-cheese tasting to helping decipher oddball recipes with hard-to-find ingredients. More about Mary.

Paul Downs, Food - Since 2007. Paul's passion for food started with his first job in the rectory at Queen of All Saints in Chicago. Paul helped the cook prepare dinner for the priests and guests. It was then that he realized that sitting down and sharing a meal with someone was special - his journey through food had begun. More about Paul.

Eli Robinson, Delivery Supervisor - Since 1993. Eli's name may not be on the guest list, but he still sees more parties and weddings in a week than most of us see in a lifetime. As the head of our delivery department, he ensures that the customer's order - whether it's dozens of items for a special occasion or just a couple of bottles of wine -- arrives complete and on time. He's got an experienced and dedicated team of drivers to help make sure that happens on every order. More about Eli.

Anne Clinton, Glassware - Since 1998. Anne's job gets her into a lot of hot water - literally. She's responsible for maintaining all the glassware that is loaned out to customers. That means making sure that hundreds of wine, champagne and bar glasses are washed, dried and returned sparkling clean to their boxes each week so that Schaefer's can continue to provide its free glassware service. More about Anne.

Robert Paul Williams, Stock - Since 1998. Robert's primary responsibility is to keep the store clean and the shelves well-stocked and appealing to customers. But that's just "the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to the many jobs he takes on, from helping customers get their purchases to their cars to maintaining a large salt-water fish tank in the main office. More about Robert.

Barbara Rooks, Wine - Since 2005. Barbara is a consultant in our wine department. She can usually be found at the wine room computer and is the go-to wine person for the passion she brings to research and food matching. Barbara is also responsible for developing much of our wine class curriculum. More about Barbara.

Janel Syron, Wine — Since 2009. Janel is one of the full time wine consultants that you can always find in the wine room. Janel has her Associate and Bachelor degrees in culinary arts, so she is the go-to person for wine and food pairings for eclectic dishes such as patissada de cavallo or coq au vin. If you are looking to pair a wine with a comfort dish, like a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon, Janel can help you find the perfect wine match there too. More about Janel.

Robert Paul Williams, Stock - Since 1998. Robert's primary responsibility is to keep the store clean and the shelves well-stocked and appealing to customers. But that's just "the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to the many jobs he takes on, from helping customers get their purchases to their cars to maintaining a large salt-water fish tank in the main office.

Other Important People

Alan Pilgrim, Wine - Since 2002.

Jose Baez, Clerk - Since 2006

Beverly Owens, Clerk - Since 2006

Kate Jackiw, Wine - Since 2007

Kristin Savino

Paul Downs