There was nothing I didn’t like during my brief visit at my neighborhood’s newest destination – The Cheese Traveler. The joint was jumping with a literal crowd of people – awesome! I saw a number of familiar faces; including newly elected Assembly Representative, Pat Fahy, and independent business owners Nick and Britin from All Good Bakers and Pete and Dora* from Fin – your fishmonger and Jose from Mingle. The individual players are each fabulous but what is most impressive to me, is the cooperative spirit shared by each of these conscientious entrepreneurs. I was thrilled by the excitement and commitment I saw displayed by all involved in this most successful afternoon, and I believe that what I witnessed was a new way of doing business. Or perhaps, a return to a time prior to corporate greed and the exploitation of the producer in favor of pure profit. Maybe that was just my own impression but look at this…
Here’s what isn’t open to subjectivity – the place was packed. Here’s some evidence:
I picked up a slice of gorgeous gorgonzola dolce to share with someone special, always a good plan when you’re eating something delightfully funky, I think. I also scored a jar of spicy bourbon brined pickles for one of my favorite bourbon aficionados.
I didn’t indulge in any of the prepared food which was being served, initially because the line was formidable, but ultimately because I had an avocado at home waiting to be made into burritos. I don’t like wasting food and that avocado needed to be enjoyed. I did have a taste of an incredible Gruyère that I’ve got my eye on for my next visit, (shop local!), when I imagine I’ll also be picking up Cheese Traveler gift cards for some of those on my holiday list.
*Dora – It was super to see you after waaay too many years! Can’t wait to come to Guilderland for your Grand Opening!
DelSo 
Silvia: Was it perhaps “conscientious” entrepreneurs you meant to write rather than “conscious”? I know you’ll want to fix it, if that’s true
A Good Enough Life
http://blog.timesunion.com/marymartin/
“The rest of my life is not what you imagine.”
– From the poem Chaos by Margaret Atwood
So great to see you, too, dear friend. The collaborative vibe you witnessed is a super way for us all to work together, form partnerships, lend a hand, support awesome-ness and simply revel in each others’ success. When one is lucky enough to find that in a group of business people, it just feels right to support it, doesn’t it? fin – your fishmonger looks forward to becoming YOUR fresh, sustainable fishmonger soon. Find us on FB, on the web, and sooooooon, at our very own grand opening. xox
Interestingly the ownership of the building is VERY cooperative too. Some neighbors got together to buy 540 when it was at risk in hopes of maintaining community control of this key neighborhood site. It was also renovated with a lot of neighbor support and sweat equity!
We are so fortunate to benefit from the cooperative who rented us (All Good & The Cheese Traveler) the space! They really wanted community-based businesses in the building and waited until they found tenants with the same cooperative spirit in mind. Lissa (who used to own The Chocolate Gecko) found us through our friends, DIane & Chris of Orange Street Cats, and now works for the Community Loan Fund – she offered to give us some advice and brought us into the CLF fold. Without our wonderful landlords, all of whom are very involved in our community in various ways, and the CLF, not to mention all of the others who helped get us here, we would not be flourishing!!