Able Distributors (Chicago) hosted its seventh annual International Day Oct. 29, 2004. Michael Bleier, part owner of the company, said upwards of 300 employees and customers attended the event, held in the parking lot throughout the day. Tables and grills were set up with food from about 35 countries, including Japan, Argentina and Romania. Michael Bleier said he and his brother, Daniel, started the event to honor their heritage. Their father, Andrew Bleier, who founded the company in 1980, immigrated to the United States from Hungary. The company's main location is now 60,000 sq. ft., and two additional branches are in Evanston, Ill., and McHenry, Ill. The Chicago location is in a diverse neighborhood drawing many ethnicities including Romanian, Polish, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Bosnian and Hungarian. Its warehouse has signs posted in English, Spanish and Polish. Pictured from left are: Michael Bleier and Daniel Bleier, co-owners, and Piotr Zelasko, design engineer, at the event.

- Ashley Anderson