Grand Rapids is the next stop for Muskegon-based "cheeses from around the world" retailer
The Cheese Lady. However, Kathleen Riegler will also reflect back and celebrate the one-year anniversary (March 17) of their first franchise in Kalamazoo.
"We did not go out looking for a franchise business," says Riegler, but she was so impressed with the two people who wanted to open a
store in Kalamazoo, she decided to give franchising a go. "The more we realized that no one else was doing what we were doing, we decided to give it a try."
Riegler was especially concerned as to whether or not The Cheese Lady could be replicated. "We are not a Subway," she says. "Everyone needs to be very well-trained."
The concern appears to be unfounded as the father-daughter team in Kalamazoo is doing well and already needs more space, while franchise number two is scheduled to open in Grand Rapids this fall.
Although the Grand Rapids location is not decided yet, it will be downtown or near downtown. Riegler expects both the name of the franchisee and the location to be announced in the very near future. All the stores are owner-operated with some part-time help during busy periods.
To learn more about The Cheese Lady, you can visit their site
here.
Source: Kathleen Riegler, The Cheese Lady
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor
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