ܲԱ:Cheese Ranch
Address: 601 16th St., Unit A, Golden
Hours: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2016
Contact: 303-278-1293,Գ.dz
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Interview with Rich Nichols, chief executive officer
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
:I decided by age 60 I needed a new career as the event staging industry is physically demanding. My career has taken me to all over the world enjoying cheese shops and delis along the way. I saw a business opportunity as Denver metro communities have a void of convenient cheese shops and delis.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
:We’re a gourmet shop without a gourmet attitude. It’s a warm, inviting environment that’s family friendly. Being a small independent shop gives us the opportunity carry some unique products that you won’t find in the large grocery stores and the ability to offer menu items that aren’t dictated from a corporate office. In Golden we are a bit off the beaten path but it’s only a couple blocks from downtown.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
:I enjoy the one-on-one interaction with customers — helping them figure out what types of cheeses they enjoy. Everybody is different. It’s cool to see little kids becoming cheese snobs early in life.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
:Starting a small business is all-consuming as it requires that you live and breathe it. The hardest thing to do is having the time for marketing — getting out to spread the word while you’re on a budget.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
:We are pretty cheesy so our humor is quite evident. Our store manager Callum is a curd nerd. He’s so passionate about cheese that this summer he’ll be taking the American Cheese Society tests to become a certified cheese professional.