New York Daily Photo Analytics

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Murray's Cheese

This is Murray's Cheese Shop at 254 Bleecker Street in the Village - click here for second photo. It's the type of place New Yorkers brag about - a real institution, a place serieux where the ownership and management is obviously obsessed with what they do and have a tremendous drive to be the best. In a city as large as New York, these specialized niche retailers can really thrive. Murray's was founded in 1940 by Murray Greenberg, starting as a wholesaler of butter and eggs. Rob Kaufelt, the current owner, bought the business from Louis Tudda in 1991. In 2004, they moved from a much smaller cramped location across the street to their current space, where they purchased the building. They lease adjoining retail spaces to other high quality food retailers, (Amy's Bread and Wild Edibles.) Murray's retails over 250 varieties of cheese and wholesales to 75 restaurants, including many of the city's finest. I was fascinated to learn of their authentic underground cheese caves where affinage (the art of aging) is practiced (Murray's was one of the first cheese retailers in the U.S. to do this) - French affineur Herve Mons was consulted in their construction. Kaufelt travels the world to acquire cheese and has forged relationships with many artisanal cheese makers and is able to introduce these special cheeses to their American customers. They have received many accolades and awards - click here. Kaufelt has received France's prestigious Garde et Jure medal from the Guilde des Fromagers. In addition to the cheeses and gourmet found products sold, classes are taught, books are published ...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Truly one of the best aspects of NYC are the niche dealers in special things...

Brian Dubé said...

Tis true.
Brian

Anonymous said...

Ugh! Cheese is the BEST! I didn't even know that this sort of thing ("niche cheese") was available in NYC - though I guess EVERYTHING is available in NYC! Great photo - I am going to get myself some Gouda

Anonymous said...

How lucky you are. Great pictures have you here!

Anonymous said...

OK. This place I know!

Anonymous said...

Must they pasteurize the cheese?

Brian Dubé said...

Not sure if any of the cheese is unpasteurized.
Thanks all.