What do two Philadelphia management consultants do when they feel the urge to write a new chapter in the book of their lives?
For partners Jenn Baker and John Laucik, the new chapter tastes like Merlot and Camembert—as in a wine and cheese shop. In Chestertown.
Say that again?
Wine and cheese shop, yes.
The Chester River Wine & Cheese Co.
One day the couple was sitting in their Philadelphia home when someone knocked on their door and asked if they wanted to sell their house. Slightly stunned, the couple began to think about the possibility of a change of pace, including a new business venture and location.
They’d visited the Eastern Shore for several years and began to consider it a place where their lives and a new business could thrive. But what kind of business?
“Jenn and I share a love for good wine and cheese, and as we became more serious about it we started attending national workshops and seminars for both,” Laucik says. “We’re enthusiastic and self-taught foodies.”
When they drove over the Chester River Bridge, the die was cast. Impressed with the locale and the town’s vision for the future, including hopes for a new marina and an A & E District designation, the entrepreneurs decided that they’d found the right equation for success.
The corner of Cannon And Cross Streets, previously home to several restaurants including the original Lemon Leaf, seemed the perfect spot.
“Everyone has been incredibly supportive. We’ve never experienced this kind of community encouragement and friendship before, from the county commission and town council to our distributors and business neighbors,” Baker says.
With hundreds of bottles of wine in stock and 3o-40 types of cheese to start, a broadening spectrum of garnishes and delicacies will also be offered, including pesto, olive spreads, lots of specialty oil and vinegar, tomato bruschetta, honey, smoked Portuguese sardines, spices, white clam sauce, dry salami, French butter cookies and Italian crackers, just to mention a few.
So how about a taste?
The Chester River Wine & Cheese Co. invites the community to drop in for their First Friday opening. They will be offering samplings of blue cheese, honeycomb—delicious on crackers—creamy Italian Mascarpone cheese with fig vinegar and berries. Prosciutto, Borealis white wine, and an entry level Pinot.
How can you possibly resist?
Chester River Wine & Cheese Co.
117 S. Cross St.
(443) 282-0220
Dennis Levnthal says
Great! Wine, cheese, garnishes, and two more Eagles fans! We have been enriched!
Jennifer Baker says
Dennis – this may be bad for our business, but I need to clarify a very important fact. We are Steelers fans. 🙂
Looking forward to meeting you!
Elaine Bowman says
A warm welcome to John and Jen. I had a chance to stop and see there shop yesterday and I feel their store will be a wonderful additional to our town.
Everything looked so intriguing ! Elaine Bowman @ Village House
jenifer endicott says
Hurray! Hurray!