Meet Elizabeth Sluiter of Culture Cheese Shop

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Sluiter.

Hi Elizabeth, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to Italy, Spain, and France, and I fell in love with the mom-and-pop shop feel. I was out on a patio enjoying some wine and cheese and socializing with the owner and his daughter as we enjoyed our charcuterie board. He left and I said to my husband, one day I would love to own my own little cheese shop. He replied, “What are you waiting for?” I said I have so much to learn. I can’t just jump into a new career like this.

He said if you wait until you know everything, it will be too late. So here I am, going for my dream. I started over a year ago out of the incubator kitchen located in the Grand Rapids downtown market and then started collaborating with local restaurants in Holland for my Cheese of the Month club. From there, my business grew, and a spot downtown Holland opened up, so I jumped on it. Now, I am taking a leap of faith again and expanding my shop. There is so much more to come for us at the Culture Cheese Shop, and I can’t wait to see where it grows.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with anything new, there is always room for growth and knowledge. I started by making Culture boards for friends, then wanted to grow to serve the public, and realized the food I wanted to serve did not fall under the cottage food law.

So not only did I need to become licensed, I also needed to use a licensed kitchen. While there were no incubator kitchens in my town, there was one in Grand Rapids. That is where my journey began.

We’ve been impressed with Culture Cheese Shop, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
We are the first artisan cheese shop in our town, we specilize in cheeses from around the world. We have amazing cheesemongers who love sharing their knowledge and joy with each customer who walks in our door. Our shop is an experience, we are here to connect our community to other cultures through cheese, while also learning from others about their family stories around food.

Food is one of those pieces that bring people together and share memories. Our customers have said it best: we have not only created a fun experience when buying cheese but we are set apart from other cheese shops because we have created a special “culture” within the shop where everyone becomes part of the story.

What matters most to you? Why?
I strive to get to know my customers on a personal level. We are not here to just be a market, we are here to connect with our community and get to know one another. I love watching others try something new or see them get excited when we have a unique item that is hard to find.

Sharing joy in the little things can have a big impact. My why is my family. I wanted to have my kids grow up in a Mom and Pop shop, I want them to be apart of the story. While work is not all play, it can have great rewards when you allow it to be more than just a job.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.culturecheeseshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/culturecheeseshop?igsh=eHN22MXliNnluamE1&utm_utmsource=qr