Woodstock retailer receives support through My Main Street

Wes Mazur is pictured with his wife and business partner, Sarah. The business has been awarded a My Main Street Business Sustainability grant. (Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Cheesy Cow Company has been awarded a business grant from My Main Street Business Sustainability support. The money will allow Cheesy Cow Company to strengthen its existing capacity and support its continued growth to attract new customers to the business and the entire Downtown Woodstock community.

My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) and is designed to encourage growth and economic prosperity on main streets by driving business and creating vibrancy in local communities. It is supported by an investment from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

“We are thrilled to receive this support from My Main Street, which will allow us to expand our local offerings and further contribute to the vibrancy of Downtown Woodstock,” said Wes Mazur, the self-named Head Cheesemonger at the store.

Cheesy Cow Company is a boutique cheese and meats shop in the heart of Woodstock. The support will enable the store to implement eCommerce online ordering, introduce new and expanded products and services, and contribute to its overall business sustainability through investments in technology improvements, equipment and creative marketing.

“The process included an online application about our business and how it would both benefit from the Grant as well as allow us to contribute to our downtown community, staff, and customers,” said Mazur.

He added the technology he will be implementing will not only help the business but also result in an improved customer experience.

“Some of the equipment and technology that this grant allows us to purchase will help to streamline our customer service experience with quicker checkout, and online ordering options.”

Some of the money can also be used for advertising purposes, something Mazur said he plans on utilizing.

“This is one of the many potential uses for the grant. In our particular case, we are utilizing a fair amount of the grant towards marketing and advertising our business which we typically would not be able to do.”

Cheesy Cow had been open for just over 12 months and Mazur said the business continues to see more customers come through the door.

“It has been growing wonderfully. Every day at least half of our customers are brand-new to our shop which is always exciting. We also are getting more calls and orders for catering, as well as gift baskets and charcuterie boards or cheese trays. Our online media presence is continuously growing as well.”

Mazur explained the commitment to sourcing locally has always been a priority of his and his team at the store.

“Before opening, we sought locally made products for our store beginning with our local cheesemakers right here in Oxford County, as well as other food producers. We currently have well over 130 Ontario-made products which account for 80 to 90 per cent of our total products. We are always on the lookout for locally made goodies.”

Kerry Baird, Downtown Development Officer with the City of Woodstock sang the praises of My Main Street and their support of businesses that grow the community.

“The My Main Street support represents a fantastic opportunity for our local small businesses to focus on sustainability and growth in challenging economic times. Small businesses are the heart of our downtown and My Main Street Business Sustainability is a great support.”

Mary W. Rowe is the CEO and President of the CUI who explained the importance of investing in small businesses.

“A community's resilience is anchored in its main street businesses, and investing in them fosters economic prosperity and growth. This investment from My Main Street’s Business Sustainability stream is supporting Cheesy Cow Company to expand their business and advance their growth.”

Filomena Tassi is the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency in Southern Ontario. She echoed Rowe’s comments on just how critical grassroots, downtown business is to the success of a community.

“Small businesses are the heart of our communities and the backbone of our local economies. The Government of Canada is supporting CUI as they invest in businesses like Cheesy Cow Company through our My Main Street program. These investments help businesses enhance, expand and grow their services while attracting more visitors to southern Ontario’s main streets.”