Holiday Wine Tasting

The Cave is hosting a wine and cheese tasting this Saturday from 1-3. Please stop in for some great new cheeses and holiday wines. We are thrilled with our new location in Center Harbor, Brooklin at 123 Reach Road. Last week's French Tasting was attended by almost 200 people.

We had a lovely barista here pouring and are working on a regular gig with him. Thank you David. Thank you Steve. Don't forget your chocolate for the stockings. Incredible selection and of course at the top of the list is "Black Dinah" from Isle au Haut.

Thank you all,

Laura

The Grand Opening

Thank you everyone for sharing in our "Grand Opening." What a turnout! The long hours of setting up shop have truly paid off. Everything sparkles like tinsel. Come in and see for yourself.

Lots of new wines and cheeses. And the jams, chocolates, crackers and charcuterie are outstanding. See you soon.

Fondly,

Laura

Open for Business

Welcome to The Cave. We are opening Tuesday, November 23rd with a Grand Opening December 4th at our new location at 123 Reach Road, Center Harbor, Brooklin. We will be hosting a wine and cheese tasting on the same day from 2-4. Our hours are the same. Tuesday thru Saturday 9-5. We are fully stocked with dozens of gorgeous cheeses and wonderful chocolates and wines. You will find our new home enchanting and much more customer friendly with more room and added seating. Come in and say hello during the holiday week. We have truly missed seeing all of our friends and hope you are as happy with the new environment as we are. Thank you for your continued support.

My best,

Laura

and The Cavewomen

Crazy busy

Work has been crazy at Reach Road Cave. The past couple of weeks have been a flurry of permit approvals, and licensing. Everything needs re-inspection and testing. Ie: water, electric, refrigeration, liquor inventory and the like. Contractors are here all week putting in more juice, shelving, etc.I really can't stand not having the doors open for business and I miss seeing all your familiar faces. Please continue to bear with us. Daylight savings means up early to take advantage of the morning light. Lots to do.

Peace out,

Laura

The Cave has begun the process of setting up at 123 Reach Road, Brooklin. We will be ready for all your holiday party needs including cheese platters, artisinal chocolates and truffles, locally baked breads and confections and wonderful pates and salamis. We will offer a daily soup or stew as well as fresh sandwiches made on organic bread and greens. Call ahead to check on our specials at 207-359-8008. Our wine selection will remain small, eclectic and affordable. Let us help you choose a hostess gift from our selection of domestic and imported goods. We pride ourselves with creating very unique gift boxes and hope to delight you and your friends. We are at Center Harbor, Brooklin, up the road from Brooklin Boatyard on Route 175. See you in a couple of weeks for a grand opening.

Reach For The Cheese

The Cave at 5 Bay Road closed for business a week ago. All of the fixtures, refrigeration and the like have been moved to our new home at 123 Reach Road, Brooklin. Less than 1/2 mi. from our old stomping grounds. I am hoping to be open for business in 2 weeks. We'll see if all the stars are aligned and I can dig through a lot of boxes and set up furniture. We are afforded much more room with our new location and the opportunity to forge some new friendships and business relationships in the area once known as "Brooklin Center." Thank you for your patronage. Look foward to sharing some wine and cheese in our new home. Did I mention there will be a new meat candy section in our shop?

Ciao

Cheese On The Move

The Cave is relocating for a grand opening on November 20th. We will be operational and fully stocked at our current location until October 23rd. I have been so fortunate to have all the cavewomen working their rinds off to clean up, organize things and ready ourselves for a challenging move to a new home, albeit very close to where we are now. I am not planning any immediate changes to our business and will continue to offer exemplary customer service, delicious cheeses and chocolates, and undying gratitude to all of our neighbors and friends who continue to support us.

Thank you,

Laura Cramer

Cheese and Wine

Thanks to all for joining us at The Cave on the 4th for Brooklin Jazz from the middle school, wine from SoPo and the many cheeses nibbled in the sun. $175.00 was raised for the school's music program. Next tasting celebrates the 1st anniversary of The Cave. Join us for Paul Chartrand Organic Wines on the 18th from 3-5. What an amazing year. Don't forget to support your local farmers' markets this season. Brooklin Farmers' Market every Thursday from 3-5 across from The Cave.

Yummy new cheese

Heavenly new cheese arrived to The Cave last Friday. Amazing melt in your mouth precious little "thimbles." http://shybrothersfarm.com/

Please stop by for a cup of sultry joe and great cheese.

Mother's Day

Lovely May cheese, chocolate and wine tasting. Oh yeah, and a coffee roaster will be on hand with samples as well. Did I mention Black Dinah will be present as well? If you are looking for a decadent, sumptuous truffle in a beautifully appointed box for Mother's Day come by and meet the chocolatiers from Isle au Haut on Friday from 4-6. Save room for pate and cheese which will be paired with a fun prosecco and heavenly port. The Next Step Domestic Violence Project serving Hancock and Washington County will recieve 5% of all sales during the event. We are also a new seller of the funky "Brooklin Fish." They are creations by Glenn Towne.

May 7th at The Cave.

There is a lot going on in Brooklin this time of year. Especially the newly formed chapter of "The Cake Committee Maine." Please try to attend and visit the home page. Very cool fundraising concept. http://http//www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cake-Committee/127227392025.

Brooklin Farmer's Market 1st day out is May 27th on Bay Road. Thursdays 3-5.

Boats being readied for the season, gardens started and the sweet smell of a bright spring season is in the air.

Cheese Gods

Well a forgotten link to a great fondue, cheese, olive oil and deli shop in Massachusetts.

http://www.bizalions.com/index.html

Very cool shop with an incredible menu of daily fondues, local cheese, serious imported oils and all the goodies one would expect to find in a fine gourmet shop.

Happy Easter

Beautiful day. Outdoors in the glorious sunshine.

April Fools

I realize more than one of the posts is titled "Spring." Not on the brain or anything. Today; actually yesterday it began to show signs of drying sunshine. Planning casually begins today to create outdoor seating areas at the shop. New sign will be hung this week for The Cave. Thank you Nell & Jim. 2nd Brooklin Farmers Market meeting Monday the 5th @noon . Table opens on Friday. Yeah, another sign of great things re-awakening. What a beautiful place we live in here on the peninsula. Cream of watercress soup at the shop today. All over the place with random thoughts...but the excitement of flowers, sprouts, and blue skies are both thrilling and distracting.

Spring

More rain, rain and rain. Hope this bodes well for the growing season. I'm sure there's another snow squall/storm under mother nature's belt. Thinking ahead to the beautiful local seasonal cheeses that will be available in a month or two. The Cave is in transition preparing for new items as discontinued ones are given the boot. Still hunting down an ice dispensing machine and a second cheese case. Maybe a small fridge/freezer. I would love to sell Jill's ice cream this summer from Millbrook.http://millbrookcompany.com/ Her baked goods are incredible. Short but sweet visit from Melissa and friends.
Attatching a troubling video with the impetus on more people aware of just how ugly the company Monsanto is. Most people know this, but take a look.
http://wideeyecinema.com/?p=105

Cheese tour

As planned, while on hiatus from the shop I was fortunate to visit some remarkable cheese shops. One is in Great Barringtion, Ma. called Rubiner's. www.rubiners.com If you are ever in the area, stop in for a treat. It was once a financial institution and there are some remarkable features of the shop such as the beautiful ceilings, bank vault for aging cheese and of course the cheese itself.
Another market in town worth visiting is Guido's Fresh Market. Amazing cheese, butcher shop, bakery and produce. www.guidosfreshmarket.com

Cats at play

Cheese shops are a stop along the way during our roadtrip. Have found lots in Virginia/DC. NYC we are skirting. Some in the Berkshires, Fla. Also planning on taking the pickup in the event there is something I see for the shop. So antique/thrift/junk/yardsales are a stop too. I want to find a countertop ice maker. If there be any restaurant/estate auctions....
Our cats have been splayed upon our bags...they know they'll have the house to themselves for a couple of weeks.

Saturday Summary

Ah, the refrigeration equipment has been emptying, shelves are beginning to slim down in the offerings, bills are paid, taxes are done, inventory accounted for and the time is ripe for adventure and reflection. Although I won't "give away the store," so to speak, I will do all I can to insure everything not shelf stable finds it's way into someone's hands at a great reduction in price. On another note, there is a new cheese in the shop. Although I asked for shipment after my return March 22nd, my Echo Ridge order(which I had to place early to reserve the small quantities they produce) showed up yesterday. There are Maine bries, camamberts in very limited quantities. Samples haven't even shown up yet, so I'll have to purchase some to sample today.http://www.themainemag.com/a-list/1156-cheese. Taking receipt of some chocolate bunnies from Safe Harbor today, along with a 2nd cash register.http://www.safeharborconfections.com/. Black Dinah's floppy-eared chocolate bunnies will be at the shop on/around March 24th.http://www.blackdinahchocolatiers.com. Thank you Pam for your beautiful pussywillows. They just started sprouting roots, although they've lost their pinky hue. Any foodstuffs left in the shop after today will be donated to The Simmering Pot and/or The Food Pantry in Blue Hill.http://The Simmering Pot. To Hadley and Brendan.

Next Brooklin Farmers Market Meeting is set for March 4, at noon at The Cave. We will be selling on Thursdays from 3-5 across from The Cave. Please feel free to critique, add comments or contribute. Would love to sell fish, clams, mussels at venue. The Sleighbell Shoppe down the road sells lobsters and crab, so we don't want to offer those and risk taking any business away from their business.

Thank you Brooklin

Thank you all,

Laura

Brooklin Eats

As early in the year as it is, although I can't believe it's March, the late summer event known as "Brooklin Eats," has been up for discussion. Although I wasn't present at a casual, early meeting, it was passed on to me that some different ideas were tossed around. The idea of a later season, or early fall "Brooklin Harvest Supper" was one. This would be in place of the open market on the green as years past. Farms, producers, restaurants, businesses would donate something and a local foods menu would be offered at a decided upon location(ideas?), at an affordable price. Proceeds to benefit a Brooklin fund or charity, or establish a new one. I think establishing a specific producer's/grower's /farmer's fund might be an idea. $ for start-up, seeds, equipment, replacing systems. Not a loan- a grant model. Throwing it around, and wonder what would be involved?

Any thoughts?

March

I'm very excited to have touched base with a couple of Maine cheese makers that will make their debut in late March/early April to The Cave. A Maine Made Taleggio to name just one.

Been tutoring myself with email marketing. Making the time is the goal. To all those who have opted in to email news from The Cave; I'm sorry it has taken so long. Im almost there. Well, the days are certainly getting longer with daylight savings around the corner on March 14th! Ordered my Black Dinah Chocolate Bunnies today. They're as delectable as they are cute. Come on by the shop before we close this Saturday for a two week hiatus. Some great savings on selected wine and cheese.

Thank you for your kind comments and interest.

Brooklin Rocks

The power's knocked out, not surprising with 50-60 mph winds predicted. I'll be at the shop with flashlights. Nixed a generator this year due to cost.Gotta make a "cheese run" to meet distributor in Blue Hill early this morning for Brillat Savarin, pate, Red Dragon, condiments, etc.

Attended the chamber of commerce annual dinner & awards gala last night and The Cave won "Best New Business." Nice way to start a day. Lots of thanks and love to everyone who supports the shop.

Spring

Maybe its because February in Maine has been feeling and looking a lot more like April, or that I know time has a way of careening past when one's busy living life, but my thought to the business for the months ahead all have to do with the glorious warm, long days of spring and summer. Daylight savings is in a mere few weeks. I need to procure some simple, comfortable seats for inside but especially outside so people can relax and chat. Need another case for inside to house cheese. I am determined to get an iced coffee/tea system set up, but I'm befuddled and blown away at the cost. However I and others love a tall cold glass full of ice and coffee on a warm day. Searching out recycled take out ware, bags, wine carriers & the like. A freezer? A fridge? Would make things more efficient. Keeping the truffles cool(a must) in warm weather. Another AC? A fan? Contracted to have a handicap access ramp built in May. Looking for a low cost loan. Well I'm rambling, but that's where my noggin's at at this hour. Soup in the sumer? I don't think so, unless we get a raw, wet snap of weather....it's Maine, so likely. Speaking of soup, gotta get off and finish building the watercress soup for today at The Cave.

Ciao

Walter Gaffney Kessell

Somehow blog links crossed.

Fizzy Funny Fuzzy Poetry For Kids: The Cheese Moon

"I've heard it said by many around,
That the moon is made of cheese they found.
It's mined by little spacemen mice,
Who sell it for a handsome price.

The cheese we eat all comes from there,
From cheddar valleys beyond compare.
And in the rivers of Wensleydale,
The mice scoop cheese in metal pails.

If you peek up you might just see,
The Gorgonzola heights of Ghee.
And to the left and up a bit,
On Stilton mountains mice do sit.

So next time you sit down to cheese,
Remember the mice on Parmezan seas.
Who work non stop in their spacemen hats,
Just glad that they're out of reach of cats!

©2003 Gareth Lancaster"

The Brooklin Mall

When "Brooklin Mall" is bandied about one will not find a food court, a parking lot filled with shopping carts, a cineplex, or any big box shopping experience. Instead park your car, bike or boat and stroll slowly through Brooklin's serene country roads. There are artist studios, boat builders, markets, restaurants and a beautiful library. Thank you for visiting.

http://www.brooklinmaine.com/

Walter Gaffney Kessell

If you're not familiar with Walter's work, please stop by The Cave and see his beautiful watercolors. They are available for sale as well as numbered prints. He is as lovely and thought provoking as his art. http://www.northlightgallerymaine.com/kessell.htm

Recent news at The Cave is that Eliot Coleman's "veggie mobile" will be at The Cave every Wednesday from 9-11. Further details to follow. http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/

Last but certainly not least, check out NECN's spot on Black Dinah Chocolatiers.http://ow.ly/16jwO

Thanks for your passion

Wee hours

My office assistants Hannibal and Clarice have recently subscribed to the routine of retiring by 9 and rising around 3. This is conducive for a lot of organizing, punch lists & the like when the world is asleep. There's a lot to do everyday. Thursdays I rip apart Betty cheese by cheese, give her an aggressive bath with steel wool and bleach and lovingly rearrange her contents in the most provocative way possible. In the days after V-Day, I tore down the red hearts, flowers, etc. and set about to create a new front window display. What to do? The thought of a prez day theme was a tad too titillating for me. Anyway, after placing orders, cleaning, email, making soup, slicing cheese, yada, I stripped out the front window, cashed out and dashed to Ellsworth for hair triage, meanwhile leaving the window well, bare. This is unsettling. I grasped for ideas the next morning and well, you gotta work with what you got. I love to have the opportunity to delight peoples senses and be a conduit for a lot of happy exchanges between neighbors and strangers in the shop. There is always laughing and smiles. Cheese for World Piece? Again, it's 4:23 am.

Ciao

Brooklin Farmer's Association

Well, had always wanted to provide a marketplace for the farmers and producers of the community. With a lot of help and input a casual meeting is slated for March 1st, noon at The Cave, Brooklin. If you are a grower, or know someone that is and they reside/grow in Brooklin please come. Refreshments will be served. Details and ideas about day of market, acceptable fare, fees, insurance, etc. will be discussed. More to follow.

The Cheese Stands Alone

Pretty baby Humbolt Fog. She is a favorite at the shop. Well look at her. Saucy goat's milk cheese from Cypress Grove Creamery, CA.
Three weeks to go before I close down for two weeks. The trick will be keeping my cheese case interesting, fresh and varied, but also to sell down most of what I've got before leaving town. I will judiciously have to let some cheeses run out for a bit. I can't sell smelly cheese. Stinky cheese I love to sell, but definitely not smelly. You can all help. Come by The Cave and eat up some cheese.

Thank You

The Cupid's Crush event was fantastic thanks to all the friends of Brooklin who stopped by to shmooze, smile and sample the fare. English cheddars paired with a local apricot habanera jam, Brillat Savarin with itself. Tinderhearth mieche and delicious olive oil. Thank you Zack & Nate. I am very touched by all the support and the collective sentiment was that people felt as though they were at one great dinner party with friends.

Spring Training

The Cave will be closed from March 8th thru March 22nd.

Cupid's Crush

A Valentine's celebration of cheese, chocolate and wine and oh maybe French olives and pate. Chocovive................a marriage of red wine and chocolate. Constant Bliss- an immortal leap for milk if there ever was. Please bring a friend as long as they are twenty-one or older. I suspect as many wine and cheese lovers pop in as last December's event. And if you decide to purchase some wine, cheese, or chocolate or a little of everything and it sets you back fifty dollars, we'll give you a beautiful 4 pc. box of decadent dark truffles. Marilyn's Jam Session will be spreadin' the Bulgarian Bebop, Maple Cider Rag and Apricot Habanera. Kim, from Garden Side Dairy will tempt you with chocolate chevre truffles. When? Friday, February 12th from 4:30-6:30.
The Cave
5 Bay Rd
Brooklin, Me.