It’s almost time to haul out that blanket from the back of the closet and indulge in the first picnic of the year. And although picnicking is my absolute favorite way to dine, it always leaves me feeling a little jealous of those living close enough to Eastern District to be able to pick up lovely cheeses en route to the park.
Luckily, the southern end of Greenpoint is about to be blessed with a speciality food shop of its very own. Greenpoint Cheese + Meat is due to open at 192 Driggs Avenue (between Newell and Diamond St) on May 1st, perfectly located by McGolrick Park and just in time for peak picnic season.
The shop is being opened by friends and business partners Jessica Mark and Ursula O’Hara. The pair met four years ago whilst working at Sweetwater and knew immediately that one day they wanted to run a business together.
”My favorite thing in the world is to make meat and cheese boards” says Jessica, who is a chef by trade. “Now, when you go to a party you’ll be able to show up with a really gorgeous meat board on a slate…it’s an edible centerpiece!”
As well as exquisite party boards they’ll be selling individual meats and cheeses and are also planning on creating a mini cheese board for one: 1-2oz portions of a few different cheeses, paired with a jam and a mustard. “Perfect for people to pick up and take to the park in the afternoon” says Ursula.
The pair are delighted to be opening their shop in Greenpoint. “We’ve lived by McGolrick park for years and the area’s really blossoming so we feel lucky to be getting in on it right now” Â Jessica tells us. “Supporting our neighborhood and Brooklyn as a whole is really important to us.”
The majority of their cheese and meats will be sourced from Food Matters Again on Provost Street. “They carry a lot of the small American creameries that we want, in fact, Parmigiano-Reggiano will be our only import”, they tell us.
Greenpoint Cheese + Meat will be stocking additional local groceries such as bread from Williamsburg’s (and soon to be Greenpoint’s) Bakeri, jam from Anarchy in a Jar and Frankie’s Olive Oil. Aprons are being made by Franklin Street’s Kill Devil Hill.
“It’s so much easier doing business locally” says Jessica. “You get to walk there, meet the person, sample the wares. Why wouldn’t you want to support another local business?”
As a final push before opening, the duo are running a Smallknot campaign to raise funds for a few all-important items such as a top-of-the-range meat slicer and refrigerator. In return for donating, pledgers will receive awesome gifts such as a GP Cheese + Meat apron, a speciality cheese board, or a ticket to the shop’s grand opening. If you would like to help support them you can check out the campaign here.
In the meantime we wish them both the best of luck with their final preparations and look forward to welcoming Greenpoint Cheese + Meat to the neighborhood.