For generations, cheese lovers flocked to Cuba, NY just to taste some of the best cheddars, curds and spreads around. Now, Sarah Bradley is taking a slice of cheese from the wheel and bringing it to Ellicottville.
“My dad and I always kick around ideas on how to grow the company,” said Bradley, owner of the new EVL Cheese Company, located at 5 E. Washington Street. “One day it just hit me - why not open a store in Ellicottville? This town has been growing tremendously in the past five years. It’s turned into a destination, not only during ski season, but all year long. Merchants have been expanding their businesses … the whole area is growing!”
Brian McFadden, Executive Director of the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce, spoke with Bradley earlier this year about her business plan and saw the potential for a slice of Cuba Cheese in Ellicottville. “Travelers have an interest in finding new and unusual local shops,” he said, “and EVL Cheese Company will add to the mix we already have in Ellicottville.”
Bradley started her business plan in March, and anticipates opening the store by Sept. 14. “As of today,” she said, “we are on schedule.”
However, as with any business in the making, the official opening may sway a little from the projected date. “We might have to push this back to Oct. 5, and we do plan to host an open house, but those dates have yet to be determined.”
THE GOOD STUFF
TheEllicottville store, according to Bradley, will be significantly smaller than Cuba’s shoppe, but will carry some very unique, high-end gourmet items. “Traditional cheese shoppes you see in Europe and Canada are typically very small,” she said, “but our inventory will be top-notch. We will have items from Europe, Canada, California and local to the Western New York area.”
McFadden made it a point to say, “We normally would have to go to Buffalo for a large selection of international cheeses … I think Sarah said she will be handling 75 varieties of other cheese besides Cuba brand.”
Of course, EVL Cheese Company will carry traditional favorites as well, like cheese curd, flavored cheese spreads, Cuba’s Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Point Reyes Bleu Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Irish Cheddar with Whiskey, Limburger and more. Angelica salt rising bread, smoked meats, kitchenware, and artwork from Three Sister’s Pottery in Angelica, NY will also be available at EVL Cheese Company.
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
While all new businesses face challenges, McFadden believes this store will likely succeed in the area. “The difference with EVL Cheese Company is that it is not new,” he said. “Cuba Cheese has been in business for many years, and it has a great reputation and business model. I think it will do very well here.”
One special service offered by EVL Cheese Company will be a cheese tray service. Businesses and customers will be able to call ahead to order a made-to-order cheese tray, which will be ready upon arrival or for delivery. Bradley hopes to offer special online ordering in the future. “That is one of our long-term goals,” she said. “We already have a Facebook page and will eventually have a website.”
For now, EVL Cheese Company will focus on providing another quality shopping experience for the Ellicottville area.
Anticipated hours of operation for EVL Cheese Company will be 10am-6pm daily with the potential for extended hours during ski season. For more information on EVL Cheese Company, search them out on Facebook, and be sure to swing by their location (in the plaza behind Kwik Fill, just a few doors down from the Village Wine Rack) for signs of their opening.
Author’s Note: This story is dedicated to my grandfather, Gordon Olson of Allegany, NY and his late brother, Harold Olson, who passed away in May 2013. Harold "Ole" Olson, known as “the last Shinglehouse cheese maker," owned and operated the former Shinglehouse Cheese Factory from 1955-1972.
