Village Cheese Shop Heading To Store In Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — Cheese lovers, rejoice: Mattituck's Love Lane treasure, The Village Cheese Shop, is opening a new location in Greenport.

According to owner Michael Affatato, the location will open Saturday at The Market, located at 44 Front Street in Greenport.

"The finest cheeses and meats will now be available in Greenport; the best of Love Lane is headed east — 17 years and going strong. We look forward to serving you."

Free tastings start at noon tomorrow, Affatato said.

The idea was born when Shelley Scoggin, owner of The Market, "approached me months ago about renting space in her large market as a 'cheese cave '. I was attracted to the idea because I would not have to get involved with construction; all I need are my knives and a large cheese case," Affatato said.

Affatato will move the cheeses in Friday night. "We go 'live' tomorrow, Saturday, at noon. I’ll be selling the finest items from Love Lane, same free tastings, same customer attention and service," he said.

The move is permanent, not a pilot, he said.

However, during winter months, the stand will be manned only on weekends from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Once the season starts, the stand will be manned 7 days a week. During weekdays in winter, high-quality cheese "grab and go" options will be available for purchase, Affatato said.

"I think it's a great match," Scoggin said. "We share so many of the same customers already. And without a cheese shop in Greenport, I tried to carry cheese, but I don't really know about cheese —and apparently, there's a lot you need to know. Rather than try to figure it out myself, we decided to team up."

The space, she said, looks great. Scoggin reminded that her business is open year round on Front Street in Greenport.

Photos courtesy Michael Affatato.