Morton Williams' Holiday Food Sales Surge at Suburban Store

NEW YORK -- Morton Williams Associated racked up huge holiday sales at its newest store, the retailer's first outlet in the suburbs, officials said. Fresh meat and cheeses were the big rings. “I was amazed at the 200 whole filet mignons and 15 whole ribs of beef we sold in the three days before Christmas," said Richard Travaglione, vice president of perishables for the Bronx-based chain of 11 stores. That same week, the service cheese department sold 400 pounds of premium, imported provolone and seven 100-pound wheels of Parmagiano Reggiano, as well as lots of fresh mozzarella and other cheeses. Catering and prepared foods, too, performed well, Travaglione said. The 30,000-square-foot store in Hartsdale, N.Y., purchased in November from another retailer, rang up total sales of nearly a half million dollars Christmas week. The store is scheduled for a major remodeling this month. -- Roseanne Harper