A community's commitment

I am a firm believer in the concept of living in a space a bit before making any lasting changes. These past few weeks have proven that theory out. As you are returning to Delavan for the summer, or just getting back to us after a busy winter, you will perhaps notice our cheese cases moved to the front of the small retail store, and further established the cafe space as the independent 'eating' space with more seating and some additional high-top tables in the front windows to match.

Our front windows provide a great almost 'sidewalk cafe' experience for our patrons where they can watch all of Walworth County drive back and forth.

Our cheese cases are gaining back their higher profile as well, as they are the first thing you see when you enter Brick Street Market.  We start with cheese, we offer cheese and things that go with cheese, and we end with cheese! It is very gratifying to me to hear you, our loyal customers, say to us..."This makes perfect sense."

We are still in the process of adding the decorating touches, of course, to make it seem much more like a 'real cheese shop', so you can still look forward to additions as we move through the first year in operations here in our new home.

We will be eight seasons old this summer, but essentially moving into the 'second grade', as it were. Thank you for shepherding us through our grade school of business experience, for supporting us with a guiding hand and helpful word. Thank you for continuing to buy cheese and support our local economy!

2015 - High protein, natural, healthy

In a recent Beverage Industry study, the 2015 trend indicators seem to indicate people continue to want get the biggest bang (high protein), with the least amount of label ingredients (natural), and with perceived health giving properties in the products they buy. My answer: ARTISAN CHEESE!

1) beauty enhancing - strong bones make for beautiful bodies!
2) cognitive health - lots of natural vitamins and minerals to support "beautiful bodies"!
3) country of labeling - Most artisan cheese comes from one place of origin.
4) ethnic - All types of cheeses are available from all over the world via your local cheese shop or favorite cheese purveyor's internet site.
5) Fair Trade - Artisan cheesemakers operate in small markets where prices are controlled by the marketplace.
6) low salt - pic a goat cheese, most any goat cheese!
7) indulgent - Oh, yes, the outstanding characteristic of hand-crafted, small batch cheese, is indulgent, over the top flavor!
8) portion controlled - You don't need to eat a pound. It lends itself quite well to small samples paired with other very healthy options.

Onward into 2015 - Eat more cheese! Support your local cheesemaker, or cheese retailer!
And for another amusing read, mostly because I love the thought of driving around the Wisconsin countryside talking to cheesemakers and dairyfarmers! And, I completely understand how coffee takes on many forms, when delivered outside the local coffeehouse - but is a staple nonetheless.

Jeanne Carpenter recently extolled the virtues of learning to drink coffee, and examines how this beverage has become such a mainstay in American culture!

http://tinyurl.com/ly8zgnf
ljw

It will soon be our 5th anniversary as a consistently open and operating small business, and I still pinch myself when a new customer finds us and is astonished that Delavan has a great little cheese shop that also serves really good food! Really... that is us? Your kidding...You're not? WOW!

It's been a great ride to this point, and now the effort is moving from mere survival to increasing revenues to cover the new employee and increased payroll taxes that entails. (We are not there yet -

People make many assumptions of your business when you are able to stick around long enough for them to come back season after season.  Assumptions which include you must be making scads of cash if you can afford to keep the doors open. (Believe me, whenever we have a rockin' day or weekend - I am looking at catching up on equipment purchases, small equipment to make our lives easier - or perhaps a unique item in inventory.) My friend, Ari Weinzweig, at Zingerman's in Ann Arbor, says in his two recent books on entrepreneurship that being successful just means you get better problems. And, as I have come to find out - better does not necessarily mean prettier, or easier. Some are very messy, brain tangling, and definitely harder.

Like getting a new oven with one more shelf where we can grill more sandwiches at one time will mean completely reconfiguring the sandwich prep area we currently use. Hmmm - nope - not really looking forward to that task, as it most likely also means getting a new metro shelving unit to accomodate.

Or, better yet - which money tree can I shake to get the cash for that little project. Stay tuned to "As the cheese turns..." : )
Laura

Thank you to all our servicemen and women for the service they have given to our country, the United States of America, in ensuring our safe boundaries and free and peaceful lifestyle.

May your Memorial Day be blessed!
The staff at Brick Street Market

Coffee & Cheese?! But, of course, dahling!

Eric Nyman and Jeff Kohnke joined us on a Saturday morning to partake of a coffee and cheese pairing. A number of satisfied 'tasters' went away with a new appreciation of the changes food can bring to a beverage. We have now paired cheese with wine, beer, tea and coffee. We have been serving the Geneva Lakes Coffee beans on our menu since early this year. We serve coffee in the French Press from Bodum.  Pairing cheese with coffee is not so difficult when the roasters provide you with flavor notes. For example, crisp acidity or citrus notes may often equate to a sauvignon blanc - read "pair with goat cheeses or creamy cheeses with fruity finishes."
Ethiopia Yirgacheffe - paired with Cyprus Grove Chevre Purple Haze. Light and a bit acidic, this would make a great accompanying beverage to a bagel slathered with the wonderful soft, herbal goat cheese.
Next, Costa Rica Fruta de Oro - aroma of cocoa, flavor notes of cinnamon and caramel, mild acidity and full-bodied smoothness. A great breakfast bean, full, flavorful and delicious with the nuttiness of Pleasant Ridge Reserve!
And, finally, Guatemala Huehuetenango - described as having bright notes of blueberry and apricot, with a finish of chocolate. This bean is all about dessert, so how about a little mouthful of Raspberry or Espresso Bellevitano. 

Thanks so much to Eric and Jeff! They've already said they'd come back and give us another go, so look for another pairing in 2nd quarter, with totally different cheeses!

Laura