Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Lovis.
Peter, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My first job in cheese was at a franchise where I grew up in New Jersey; I was around 15. Right away, I could see that sampling and selling the wide variety of cheeses made in the world would be a real blast. I worked in cheese during all of my school vacations, and after graduation I held various positions in every aspect of the cheese realm — from distribution to retail. I had the opportunity to purchase the Concord Cheese Shop 15 years ago, and I’ve never been happier. I get to educate consumers on cheeses they’ve never discovered, and of course, I get to eat cheese all day long.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Every retail establishment has its ups and downs, but I’m pleased to say that business at the Concord Cheese Shop has been steady; people come from miles around to shop here because they get personalized service, and find gourmet food items unavailable elsewhere. I feel fortunate.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Cheese Shop of Concord – what should we know?
Obviously, having a selection of more 1,000 cheeses rotating throughout the year is the real draw here, but we are also proud of our fabulous deli/charcuterie department, and of the carefully curated shelves of wine and beer we sell to accompany cheese. There’s also coffees and teas, jams and chutneys, pasta and sauces, chocolates and crackers, honeys and hard-to-find condiments. Our prices are fair, but what truly sets us apart is our staff, who spend as much time as necessary letting folks try cheese before buying any.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Patience, dedication, adherence to quality, the ability to track trends, friendliness. Yes, I know that’s five.
Pricing:
- Hand-cut cheeses sold by the pound range from $5-50
- Creative and oversized sandwiches sold daily for lunch at under $10
Contact Info:
- Address: 29 Walden Street, Concord Center, MA
- Website: www.concordcheeseshop.com
- Phone: 978-369-5778
- Email: peter@concordcheeseshop.com
Image Credit:
Andy Ryan
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