Standing Out, Not Alone: New Cheese Shop Opens in Queens
By Vivian Carper and Sophia Pavlidis
Community plays a key role in the success of a new specialty foods shop.
JACKSON HEIGHTS — When walking along 37th Avenue, the pungent yet pleasant smell wafting out of Stand Alone Cheese can catch the attention of any passersby. The aroma leads into this cozy shop, where wooden walls and black-and-white checkered curtains provide a comforting and homey vibe.
The store, located near 79th street, specializes in a diverse selection of fresh cheese imported nationally and internationally. It also serves up complements, such as olives, crackers, jams and beverages, to serve alongside its dairy products.
“We fit a niche audience,” said owner Stefan Kenney, who opened the shop on June 1. Since then, he’s seen his business begin to make its mark as a new staple in the community.
“The neighborhood has been very supportive and welcoming,” he said.
Stand Alone Cheese is sandwiched between a clothing store and a shoe store along a block filled with cafes, hair salons, and fabric stores. “[Jackson Heights] is as diverse as a neighborhood could be,” said Mr. Kenney. “I’m seeing this with my clientele as well.”
To reach more customers and boost business, Kenney has been collaborating with other established area businesses, including Table Wine and Little Wildbranch Bakery, for Friday evening events, like wine-and-cheese pairings.
In only a few weeks of being open, he’s making a mark in the community.
“We are building a customer base,” he said.
Mr. Kenney discovered his interest in cheese while working at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. There he learned about the cheese business from his colleagues and decided to pursue his dream of opening his own shop. He also met his future wife while working at the market — the two married last October.
Working in the dairy industry wasn’t Mr. Kenney’s first career plan. He moved to Queens 15 years in the hopes of becoming a filmmaker. He occasionally still makes short films for his friends but realized that he couldn’t pull himself away from his other passion. “I always kept the day job working in cheese,” he said.
Mr. Kenney’s friends, who also own businesses in Jackson Heights, encouraged him to open a business and pursue his love for cheese. He also credits his wife with supporting him through the process.
His support system proved crucial while facing the challenges of opening up a small business, which included a lot of paperwork and difficulties obtaining a lease. Mr. Kenney said that meeting others, such as lawyers and fellow business owners along the way, made the process less grueling. “It really does take a lot of people,” Mr. Kenney said.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kenney aims to grow his business locally. He plans to continue having events with local businesses and hopes to get more products. Mr. Kenney has also begun to prepare for the holiday season even though it “seems early,” he explained. Mr. Kenney continues to look ahead into the future and hopes to keep his business un-brie-lievable.
