Business owner Arpit Trivedi is excited to finally open the Sask. Cheese Factory in Moose Jaw, after technical glitches and the coronavirus pandemic caused a six-month delay in opening.
Trivedi and his business partner, Dhaval Bhatt, were originally going to open in December, but issues with SaskPower prevented the entrepreneurs from throwing open the doors to the community. They then planned to open in mid-March after sorting out the problems, but the pandemic struck and forced them to keep their doors closed for another three months.
They finally opened with a soft launch on June 11; Northgate Bakery in Regina provides much of the fresh baked goods, while a recent partnership will see the factory carry hand-crafted cheeses from Coteau Hills Creamery.
Trivedi and Bhatt searched Moose Jaw and Regina for locations that would best meet their needs. They had a business in the Queen City, but had to close after Costco left its location.
“We did not have enough traffic to generate (enough business),” Trivedi said. “(So) we carry on the business in Moose Jaw. That’s why we thought Moose Jaw would be the better market to launch our business.”
The business partners opened the Sask. Cheese Factory on 45 High Street West. Trivedi noted they chose the downtown since they thought it was the best area in which to set up, while the building in which they opened suited their needs.
“The Moose Jaw market had limited options (for cheese and baked goods). So we thought this was the best market to get into and give people options,” he added.
Trivedi said that while he and Bhatt are excited for the opening of their business here, they aren’t finished yet. Their goal is to also open a sandwich and soup bar at the same location with help from community chefs, which would make them a “one-stop shop” for food and pastries.
“Since the beginning, Moose Jaw has been very good to us, especially on social media,” he continued. “Like that’s the thing about Moose Jaw community right now; like we are getting a good support from Moose Jaw people right now.”
Some of the cheeses the business will offer include different types of gouda, various offerings of Swiss, several varieties of cheddar, Havarti, and Wensleydale. Trivedi noted the business will rotate its selection regularly and will offer specialty cheeses; it will also bring in cheeses based on suggestions from customers.
What makes the Sask. Cheese Factory different is it offers many types of regular cheeses and specialty cheeses, all of which customers can purchase at low prices and that are friendly on the pocketbook, he said. For example, instead of having to purchase four large blocks of cheese, customers could purchase four small chunks for $20.
“We want your support,” Trivedi added. “We are (also) thankful for the good support we’ve got so far.”
For more information visit the Sask. Cheese Factory's Facebook page.
