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HOLLAND — Liz Sluiter is doing all the things.
She’s a mother of three children, a dental hygienist and a small business owner. Soon, that small business, Culture Cheese Shop, will have a brick and mortar location in downtown Holland.
The business will be connected to Anna Interiors, with access through the back of the store and an entrance in the back of the building. The shop aims to open prior to the holiday season.
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“This week, we’ll start demolition,” Sluiter said. “We’re going to take down a couple of walls in the back of the shop. We’re sub-leasing through Anna Interiors, which is great as I get my feet wet with this.”
Sluiter started Culture Cheese Shop last year. Since her business doesn’t fall under Cottage Food Law, she had to find a licensed kitchen to sell from. Unable to find one in Holland, she’s been working out of Grand Rapids Market.
The business started with cultural cheese boards — her first was a board with cheeses, crackers and tasting notes from the Netherlands. From there, she branched out to Spain and continued to grow.
Sluiter’s inspiration comes from trips she took to Italy, France and Spain, where she fell in love with the mom-and-pop shop feel of Europe.
When she brought the idea of starting own shop to her husband, he encouraged her to follow her dream.
“He told me if you wait until you know everything it’ll be too late,” Sluiter said. “He said there’s no problem with learning as you go and seeing where it takes you.”
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Sluiter said she also received support and encouragement from her small group at church.
She started making boards, then branched out into charcuterie cups and, now, cheese classes — allowing her to talk about the tradition and history of cheese.
While she admitted it can be a lot of juggling being a mom, a dental hygienist and a small business owner, she said she has the support of her husband and friends to help.
“I think this community is all about connections,” she said. “I feel like they (the community) love to support small businesses. They love to connect with families and I think they love experiences. … Everything I have done with the community has included an outpouring of support.”
The store will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. For more information, visit culturecheeseshop.com.
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
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