What makes a good cheese so irresistible? Maybe it’s the creamy richness, the sharp tang, the delicious surprise of finding a flavor you didn’t know you loved (really loved). Maybe it’s what happens when you put it on a board with a good cracker, a spoonful of jam, and people gathered around the table.
For Kathryn Holcomb, it’s all that — and the joy of sharing it.
Her love of cheese began as a child. She was an adventurous eater who loved discovering how different flavors could come from such simple ingredients. Over the years, cheese boards became her specialty for family gatherings and celebrations.
Then, about a decade ago, her family discovered The Cheese Lady while traveling through Michigan. One stop became two, and eventually they were planning routes around visits to The Cheese Lady shops in Muskegon and Traverse City.
When Kathryn learned the company offered franchising, she thought, “Wouldn’t that be fun?”
What started as a playful idea soon became a possibility she couldn’t shake. And eventually, a passion she couldn’t ignore.
This summer, Kathryn brought The Cheese Lady to Loveland’s and Lebanon’s farmers markets. This fall, she’ll open the first location outside Michigan in our very own Shoppers Haven plaza.
For Kathryn, Loveland was an easy choice. She grew up here and is a third-generation Loveland graduate. “I wanted to bring The Cheese Lady home,” she says with her contagious smile.
Because if you’ve visited her market stand, you’ve probably already met the reason The Cheese Lady feels like such a natural fit.
Kathryn has a wonderfully cheerful, easy way with people. She talks with customers as though they’ve been friends for years, enthusiastically offers samples, and genuinely seems to delight in watching someone discover a new fave. Regulars come back looking for their favorites, while newcomers are happily pulled into the tasting adventure.
Her daughter noticed that natural connection, too. “Mom! You’re going to make so many new friends!” she told her.
“She was absolutely right,” Kathryn adds.
And those new friends are already finding ways to bring The Cheese Lady home with them: a snack at the kitchen table, a girls’ night on the patio, a book club gathered around a spread, a birthday celebration. “Each customer has brought a new perspective to the table,” Kathryn shares. “It’s great fun to see folks returning week after week.”
That sense of discovery is at the heart of what Kathryn hopes to bring to Loveland. Try it before you buy it is her philosophy, taking some of the mystery out of choosing a cheese, and inviting customers to venture beyond their usual go-to’s. This summer, nearly three dozen varieties have made appearances at the markets, with many selling out.
“We’re the place that turns food into an experience,” Kathryn explains.
At the new retail store, that experience will get even more mouth-watering. The selection will eventually include more than 100 cheeses from domestic and international producers, from sharp Wisconsin Vat 17 World Cheddar to creamy French Fromager d’Affinois to Cotswold cheese from the U.K. Customers can taste at the cutting counter, learn about flavors and pairings, and have their selections freshly cut to order.
And then there are the accompaniments — charcuterie meats, crackers, dips, spreads, Michigan-made jams, cheese tools, and beautiful cutting boards (handcrafted by Kathryn’s husband!). But she’s not stopping there. A Cheese of the Month will invite customers to regularly try something new with 25% off the featured selection.
Targeted to open in November, her store will also eventually include “The Board Room,” where Kathryn plans to host tastings, classes, pairing events, and holiday gatherings.
It’s a fitting extension of her 21 years as a teacher. “My passion for cheese paired with my love of teaching is a match made in heaven,” she grins.
For Kathryn, this is ultimately about much more than cheese. It’s about helping people gather, celebrate, and connect over something scrumptious.
“Food brings people together,” Kathryn shares, effusive and genuine as always. “I look forward to being a small part of helping customers bring their friends and loved ones together with a delicious cheese experience.”
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