Leeds’ favourite ‘modern kind of deli’ is growing yet again.
Taking over the former The Pantry site on Roundhay Road in Oakwood, The Cheesy Living Co. is going to be bringing a new multi-storey store to the suburbs, and it’s set to bring everything we love about the flagship Corn Exchange store, and plenty more besides.
Think cheesemongers meets ‘posh off licence’, with fresh coffee in the daytime, fondue in the afternoon and cosy nights with a bottle of sustainable wine.
It’s safe to say that the fondue offering at the Corn Exchange has been a huge success, where else in the city centre can you dip rosemary and paprika potatoes, crusty baguette bits and even Yorkshire puds into a molten pot of gooey Swiss cheese? Naturally this will be a big feature at the new Cheesy Living Co. site, with space for 35 seats on the lower level of the store.
The space also plans to be used for fine dining and collab nights, working with local independents to bring three course dinners (usually with a nod to the cheese selection instore, of course), enhancing the existing offering that’s brought foodies into the Corn Ex on a Thursday night for the past year or so.
And that’s not all, by day, you’ll be able to grab a coffee and shop for all your favourite cheese and charcuterie (yes, the cheese fridge in Oakwood is going to be even bigger), as well as sustainable wines, Thiccc sauces, Stuzzi ‘nduja ketchup, Reet Yorkshire Relishes, Yorkshire crisps and all those all-important kitchen items that the Corn Exchange site is currently overflowing with.
North Brewing Co. beers and a selection of wines will be available on-tap for cosy autumn evenings hiding out in the suburbs – this exciting new opening really does have a function for every meal, occasion and season, and with anything unlike it in the area, we can’t wait to see how well the ‘modern kind of deli’ is received.
The Cheesy Living Co. owners Jake and Soph said that months ago they walked past The Pantry and peering in, instantly began daydreaming about what they could do with a larger space in the suburbs.
Owners of The Pantry closed last week with a heartfelt message, explaining that they “have had an offer we cannot refuse and will be passing over the unit to a super exciting business”, and with a desire to focus on their exciting catering business Blue Pepper Catering, it was the perfect opportunity to hand over the reigns and let another indie business take over the Roundhay Road site.
That’s one (of the million) reasons to support your local independents, there’s a true community going on behind the scenes, each championing on the next – and this is just one example of how The Cheesy Living Co. and The Pantry have paved the path for each other to follow.
There’s no opening date announced just yet as renovations are still taking place, but Jake and Soph hope to open the store around mid-late November.
We can’t wait to
The Cheesy Living Co. has quickly become Leeds go-to supplier for all things cheese, charcuterie and ‘posh’ off licence bits like sustainable wines and sauces.
After taking a passion project full-time during the second Covid lockdown, owners Jake and Soph haven’t looked back since the launch of The Cheesy Living Co. in 2020 – and it’s easy to see why the duo have had so much success over the past three years.
Supplying the likes of renowned chef Matt Healy’s Horsforth restaurant Forde with farmer’s cured meats and ingredients, but still managing to attend just about every small business and foodie market across the city, The Cheesy Living Co. is one of the most humbled businesses in Leeds.
Aware of the popularity of their products, but taking things slow and making conscious business decisions, co-owner Jake spent years in hospitality before taking the plunge to launch his own business- and the time spent learning the intricacies of the industry shows.
With the help Soph, the other half of the business, the pair is ensuring that The Cheesy Living Co. is slowly making its way around the Leeds foodie scene – and now with their pup Cheddar joining the team and a second store opening, it really feels like the indie deli company is taking over the city and suburbs, in the best possible way.
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Feature Image – The Hoot Leeds