Max’s Imports in Sterling Heights has expanded from a 960-square-foot shop opened in 1982 into a 9,100-square-foot distributor with warehouses in Detroit and Chicago and distribution that reaches from New York to Florida. The store is known for international spreads, savory pastries, and other Eastern European products that attract customers from surrounding states, according to the City of Sterling Heights.
Owner and CEO Al Trajkoski, who has been part of the community for more than 40 years, told Sterling Heights, “This place is still growing. I couldn’t be more proud of how well the city is doing.” Max’s Imports has also contributed to local beautification by refacing its shopping center in 2021, as reported by the City of Sterling Heights.
Max’s is expanding its reach by attending expos and trade shows across the country as demand for items like its burek pie grows. Trajkoski said homegrown products such as Mama’s ajvar are now stocked in local grocery stores and Meijer, noting, “The most rewarding thing is seeing your product on a shelf,” he told Sterling Heights. He also said, “We would love to have a couple other satellite locations, but we’re very committed to Sterling Heights. This is our home where we started. Some residents have been here for 20 years and still have never come in the store. As long as we’ve got future customers in the city, we’re going to stay right here.” Max’s is located at 4160 15 Mile Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, with extended weekend hours, as stated by the City of Sterling Heights.
