Q&A With Gillian Dana of Curds&Co.

Curds&Co, a passionate team of cheese enthusiasts embarked on a mission that transcends the simple act of selling cheese; their aim is to bring great cheese and happiness to the people. But this mission is no ordinary one—it all started with a profound love for storytelling and the art of curating an unforgettable culinary experience.

Image Courtesy of: Curds&Co.

What is your passion? Tell us about it.

A. Our passion at curds&co is bringing new, delicious things to the people. We love featuring small producers, amazing people with amazing stories, and as many "one of a kind" finds as we can offer. Recently, we've been lovin' on freaky tommes, natural wines with a ton of funk, and spicy popcorn! Personally, I love working with wildly beautiful small batch wines and whacky pairings to make the fresh cheeses we love in summertime shine.

What inspired you to persue this passion? Tell us the story.

A. My passions stretch far and wide, and I love sharing stories with people... which is why I love teaching in our education space. I have a background in music education, so any way I can involve a story is already a win in my book. Our store opened almost six years ago and we've grown since then in creativity and exploration. Our team is openminded, creative, and fun... and that reflects in what we bring to the community!

What makes your creation unique?

A. Our store is unique because we care deeply about the energy and engagement with customers. There are things that I bring into the case and think "so-and-so will love this!" and then they do!

Tell us about your creative process.

A. My co-manager and I think wildly large, get goofy, and then give it to our clientele. It's fun seeing what people bite at!

Who is your audience? How do you engage them?

A. Our audience is wide - people between 28-40 are our usual customers. Online engagement is through instagram and newsletters. We feature maker popups on the weekends to allow direct engagement which brings a number of new people through the door. Classes and events are a huge way that we get to spend time with our customer base.

What experience does your passion create? What can recipients expect?

A. Our passion for cheese and cheese education can be directly seen through our education programming. We spend a lot of time working on how to make learning engaging and involved, and we do a great job of it. People can expect - whether walking through the door and shopping or attending a class - to learn a lot, taste a lot, and laugh a lot.

Where can your creations be found?

A. Our shop is in Brookline MA. We also have a sister company, curdbox, that is a subscription service that brings cheese to your door monthly. They ship domestically.

What is next?

A. More classes, events, and partnerships throughout the Greater Boston Area!