Owners of iconic, long-established cheese company in Armstrong are retiring
The owners of The Village Cheese Company in Armstrong are retiring and in search of someone to take over the location.
Dwight and Linda Johnson have been creating handcrafted artisanal cheeses at the popular store and cheese plant for 25 years.
“It has been a great experience operating in the community but I’m turning 75 this year,” Dwight said. “It’s just time to move on.”
The Johnsons are looking for potential tenants for a long-term rental, ideally cheesemakers or others in the dairy industry, but a microbrewery, distillery or agri-tourism operation is also suitable.
Dwight said the location at 3475 Smith Drive is great for business, close to the downtown and rail trail head.
“It’s a good site, it ties the new town and old town together,” he said.
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The Johnsons are not closing until they find someone to take it over. Three dairy-oriented businesses have expressed interest since Dwight made the announcement on social media last week.
"Once the changeover is made, it would be fun to have some kind of celebration.”
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Dwight and Linda opened the Village Cheese Company in 1998 after Armstrong Cheese was sold to Saputo. With a couple of knowledgeable cheesemakers onboard, the company has been making award-winning handcrafted cheeses made from whole milk from the Okanagan.
The company does everything from pasteurization to packing at the cheese plant, and the artisanal shop is a popular place for people to stop on their way through Armstrong.
Go here for more information on The Village Cheese Company.
Email Dwight Johnson for more information regarding business proposals.
— This article was corrected at 4:14 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, to say the business isn't closing, the owners are retiring.
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