North Shore Cheese Shop To Shutter In September

SALEM, MA — A Salem cheese and wine shop is closing down next month on the 10th anniversary of when it opened its doors — citing rising costs and a desire to "close while things feel good and true to our values."

Owners of The Cheese Shop of Salem said they will cease operations on Sept. 5.

"This decision comes from a place of gratitude and intentionality," the owners posted on the shop's website. "The last decade has been everything we hoped for and more: an adventure of cheese, wine, and community that has shaped our lives in the most meaningful ways.

"After a lot of reflection this year, we realized something important: we'd rather close while things feel good and true to our values than watch the business slowly change into something it was never meant to be."

The owners cited rising costs and tighter margins as part of a trend affecting many small businesses.

"We could keep going if we were willing to cut back on wages, benefits, and the things that make this shop a place of joy for our team and customers," the announcement said. "That's not who we are. We built this shop on a commitment to living wages, growth opportunities, and a culture of care.

"Preserving those values matters more to us than pushing forward in a way that compromises them."

The owners said they hope the final month of operation will be a celebration of 10 years in business.

"These 10 years have been the ride of our lives, and we are endlessly grateful for everyone who has supported us: our customers, our team, our industry partners, and this incredible community," the announcement said. "Please join us in these final weeks to raise a glass, share a memory, and toast to a decade of good food and great company."

The Cheese Shop is located at 45 Lafayette Street in Salem.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)