Bergen Record Article, 7/29/08

Elise Ung wrote a great article, accompanied by some great photos, for today's Bergen Record about the cheese shop. It was highlighted at the top of the Better Living Section, and was featured on the back page of the same section.

You can see it online here:

or read it below...

Allendale shop purveys local farmstead cheeses

Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Last updated: Tuesday July 29, 2008, EDT 6:30 AM

Michael Mahle always wanted to own a cheese shop. He even had visions of what it would look like. And Bondgard, the shop in Allendale he opened last month, is exactly that vision (if you switch around a marble counter and a refrigerator).

You won't find 300 types of cheeses at Bondgard. Instead, Mahle is emphasizing quality over quantity, with a focus on local farmstead cheese - mostly from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Vermont, a collection "that people don't necessarily have a chance to get anywhere else." He plans to offer 50 to 75 cheeses from places like Bobolink Dairy in Vernon, Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley and Cato Corner Farm in Colchester, Conn.

"These are the ones we tried and tested and think are good, and we think you will, too," said Mahle, 33. (He'll also carry popular imported cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Manchego, for those who come in looking for them.)

Mahle is an Allendale native who recently moved back after several years living in Manhattan. He attended the Institute of Culinary Education and was later a communications manager for the Zagat Survey. But cheese was always his passion; he liked exploring the differences and nuances of different kinds. "You can never get bored, there are so many exciting cheeses out there."

Bondgard - the name is Swedish for "farm" or "farmstead" - is in a former television repair shop that Mahle restored, even taking out layers of wallpaper and plaster to display some lovely exposed brick in the front. The shop also sells sandwiches on Balthazar bread, cupcakes and other baked goods by Allendale caterer Carin Marino (Mahle's mother-in-law), coffee and other cheese accompaniments like honey and crackers.

Mahle also plans to offer private catering. And each Friday, anyone can show up between 6 and 9 p.m. with their own wine or beer and for $15, the staff will lay out samples of several different kinds of cheese, meat and bread.

Bondgard blog: cheeseshopblog.blogspot.com

Michael Mahle always wanted to own a cheese shop. He even had visions of what it would look like. And Bondgard, the shop in Allendale he opened last month, is exactly that vision (if you switch around a marble counter and a refrigerator).

You won't find 300 types of cheeses at Bondgard. Instead, Mahle is emphasizing quality over quantity, with a focus on local farmstead cheese - mostly from New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Vermont, a collection "that people don't necessarily have a chance to get anywhere else." He plans to offer 50 to 75 cheeses from places like Bobolink Dairy in Vernon, Valley Shepherd Creamery in Long Valley and Cato Corner Farm in Colchester, Conn.

"These are the ones we tried and tested and think are good, and we think you will, too," said Mahle, 33. (He'll also carry popular imported cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano and Manchego, for those who come in looking for them.)

Mahle is an Allendale native who recently moved back after several years living in Manhattan. He attended the Institute of Culinary Education and was later a communications manager for the Zagat Survey. But cheese was always his passion; he liked exploring the differences and nuances of different kinds. "You can never get bored, there are so many exciting cheeses out there."

Bondgard - the name is Swedish for "farm" or "farmstead" - is in a former television repair shop that Mahle restored, even taking out layers of wallpaper and plaster to display some lovely exposed brick in the front. The shop also sells sandwiches on Balthazar bread, cupcakes and other baked goods by Allendale caterer Carin Marino (Mahle's mother-in-law), coffee and other cheese accompaniments like honey and crackers.

Mahle also plans to offer private catering. And each Friday, anyone can show up between 6 and 9 p.m. with their own wine or beer and for $15, the staff will lay out samples of several different kinds of cheese, meat and bread.

Bondgard blog: cheeseshopblog.blogspot.com