Business & Tech

For Cheese Patch Owner, Dairy Is Her Obsession

Meet Paige Pfeifer, who runs her cheese shop at 11 N. Ocean Avenue.

Paige Pfeifer is the owner of The Cheese Patch, a cheese shop at 11 N. Ocean Ave. in Patchogue. The store shares space with Wisteria Lane, a retail boutique. Patch spoke with Pfeifer about what it's like running her business, and photos Patch took are in the media gallery.

Patch: Describe what your business is?

Paige Pfeifer: The Cheese Patch specializes in international cheese and accompaniments. We also carry an array of unique wine and cheese accessories from wine bottle holders or wine toppers to cutting boards and cheese wires. We now carry several domestic favorites too. We can customize a basket or platter for your special occasion. Additionally we offer a "Cheese of the Month Club" for all you cheese desires and a daily Lunch Box featuring two pieces of cheese, accompaniments, choice of fruits, bread or breadsticks and bottled water.

Patch: Where are you from and what is your personal/professional background?

Pfeifer: I’m a native Patchogean……if that’s even a word!! I have lived here nearly my entire life……(42 years). Aside from being a mother of three, I have worked as sales representative in the tobacco industry for many years. I recently went back to school to study law at St John’s University in Queens, but my dream has always been to open a boutique style shop…in a small, quaint little town…….the kind I, myself like to frequent.

Patch: Why did you decide to open your business in Patchogue?

Pfeifer: What can I say…..I just love Patchogue!! Heck it’s my hometown and I am thrilled to see what is happening here!! It’s a complete rebirth and I couldn’t think of a better place to make my footprint and chase after my dream!!

Patch: What do you hope to accomplish with your business?

Pfeifer: I am hoping that people who share my love of cheese will enjoy what our little shop has to offer and to bring some more culture to Patchogue by offering a variety of cheese from around the globe that you wouldn’t find in your local grocery store.

Patch: What area of your industry do you specialize in?

Pfeifer: Initially my focus was International cheese, or even more specifically cheeses of France, but I have expanded my selection to include some Artisinal Domestics.

Patch: Who is your typical customer/client?

Pfeifer: Believe it or not…….there is no such thing as a typical client at The Cheese Patch, my customers vary in age, ethnicity, locale and just about everything else, but one things for sure, they are ALL foodies who share in my love for cheese!

Patch: Describe some of the history of your business, such as when it opened, where it operates, etc.?

Pfeifer: Our shop opened in December of 2012 @ 11 North Ocean Avenue in the Village of Patchogue, just north of Main Street and next to Patchogue’s Chamber of Commerce. We are located within the rear of Wisteria Lane Home & Jewelry Boutique Our hours our Tuesday through Thursday & Saturdays 11-5:30, Friday 11-7, Sunday 12-4 …Closed Mondays.

Patch: What is your favorite and least favorite aspect of running your business?

Pfeifer: By far my favorite part of this whole experience is meeting people who share in my same passion for cheese. I have made many wonderful relationships with my customers and just love what I do!! The least favorite part is that I wish I could offer even more to my customers, but for now I am limited with space so I have to be very careful in my selections to assure that I am offering the best of the cheese world to my customers. Hopefully the future will bring more space!!

Patch: What specific challenges do you face with running your business and making it work in today's economy?

Pfeifer: I think my biggest challenge has been finding the right avenue to advertise my business since we are just off the main strip, but I have found that once a customer finds us, they almost 99% of the time become not only a regular customer, but a new found friend of our family!

Patch: How can people reach you?

Pfeifer: People can reach us by phone @ 631-438-0393, by email paigepfeifer@thecheesepatch.com, by web @ www.thecheesepatch.com , through facebook@thecheesepatch.com, on Yelp, or by searching The Patchogue Patch.

In Business Beat, Patch will talk to local businesses in the Patchogue and Medford area of new and established places in the area. Want to be featured? Email michael@patch.com.

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