“To me, a cheese shop is a whole experience,” says Jenny Zink. “You’re coming in, you’re tasting, you’re kind of reading the cards, you’re talking to the cheese monger.”
As founder and co-owner of Shea Cheese in Phoenix, the Valley’s only dedicated cheese shop, Zink is taking the “whole experience” gospel to heart. Well known for its American artisan cheeses, the shop has steadily evolved its retail philosophy since opening in 2022. In addition to its cheese case loaded with goodies, the shop also sells chocolates, crackers, products from Hayden Flour Mills, high-end cheese accessories, makers-made gifts and more.
The inspiration for the shop came from Zink’s travels. “When we go somewhere, we like to visit a cheese shop and see what’s regional because that’s how it works in other parts of the world,” Zink says.
Recently, Zink added a cookbook store in the lounge next to the cheese shop. Spotlighting Arizona authors, the new store carries many books which are featured in her monthly potluck-cookbook club. (The lounge also doubles as event space for game nights and community events.)
“It’s just about community,” Zink says. “My goal was to be the neighborhood cheese shop. We live in this neighborhood, I love this neighborhood. We wanted it to be where people come and make core memories.”
– Sommer Bailey
Shea Cheese
10880 N. 32nd St., Phoenix
602-666-0431, sheacheese.com
