Our founder and father, Damir Drezga, immigrated to the United States over 30 years ago. His story begins much earlier, however, in wartime Yugoslavia. Growing up during the Second World War in communist Yugoslavia—before the civil war that would later divide the country—Damir experienced hardship from an early age. His family had very little, and when he was just nine years old, his father died under deeply questionable political circumstances. Suddenly, Damir became the head of the household. Despite extreme poverty and the ongoing hardships of war, he cared for his mother and younger brother, Kruno.

After completing school, Damir made the difficult decision to leave home in search of opportunity, traveling to Germany for work. Life there proved no easier. Jobs were scarce, and he survived by selling rugs on street corners to local residents and American G.I.s. He sent most of his earnings back to his family in Zagreb, and as time passed, his dream of immigrating to the United States began to feel out of reach. Then, unexpectedly, the head of a local convent learned of his situation and offered him a loan for a one-way ticket to America. Damir promised to repay the loan—and he did, with interest.

The early years in the United States were marked by struggle. Damir took whatever small jobs he could find before eventually joining Richter Brothers, a well-established New York City importer. It was there that he discovered both his passion and his potential, learning the complexities of the importing business from the ground up. Just one year later, he purchased his first pallet of Gouda from the Netherlands. In those early days, survival required relentless effort. He worked days, nights, and weekends, devoting every spare moment to buying and selling. Progress was slow, and challenges were constant—stolen vans stripped of their cargo, questionable warehouses, and an industry that often demanded grit and vigilance.

Damir became a pioneer in the cheese industry, building his business through perseverance and vision. He passed away in 2014, leaving behind not only a company, but a legacy. His daughter, Jennifer Drezga, assumed leadership as President and co-owner, guiding the company through both growth and adversity. Among the greatest tests was Hurricane Sandy, which destroyed the company’s trucks, warehouse, and much of the surrounding area. In 2018, Jennifer’s expertise and lifelong dedication to cheese were formally recognized when she was inducted into the prestigious French Guilde Internationale des Fromagers.

When people encounter gourmet cheeses, meats, olive oils, and other fine products in grocery stores, each one carries a story. Cheesemongers often speak of the farms, the farmers, and the animals behind the products. What is rarely discussed is the journey from farm to store—the freight liners battling rough seas, trucks breaking down, customs delays, protests in Europe, trade wars, and competitors who cut corners by dumping low-quality products at rock-bottom prices.

This is the unseen work importers like us face every day. Through all the challenges, we ensure that the final result arrives just as it should: your perfectly ripened French camembert, resting peacefully in the cheese case, ready to be enjoyed.