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History
 Ashe
County Cheese was started in 1930 by the Kraft Corporation. Kraft
helped consolidate several small community cheese plants in the area
and provided the means and expertise to produce cheddar daisy wheels
for distribution nationwide. They operated the plant until 1975 when
they sold it to then manager, Chesley Hazlewood. Mr. Hazlewood
operated the business until his death in 1980.
In 1981, Mrs. Hazlewood sold Ashe County Cheese to Jerry Glick and
Doug Rudersdorf, two cheese men from Wisconsin. Glick and Rudersdorf
remodeled and upgraded both the cheese plant and the cheese store,
located across the street. They also added a viewing room to the
plant. It was at this point that Ashe County Cheese became one of
the most popular
tourist attractions in North Carolina.
In 1986, Ashe County Cheese was sold again, this time to the
investment firm of Finevest Services Inc. of Greenwich, Connecticut.
Then in 1991 Finevest Services was reorganized and Ashe County
Cheese became a part of Interlaken Capital, also an investment firm
out of Greenwich, Connecticut.
Finally, in 1994 Interlaken Capital sold the assets of Ashe County
Cheese to Newburg Corners Cheese Inc., a Wisconsin Corporation owned
by Mike Everhart and Tom Torkelson, the current owners. Everhart
moved here with his family in 1995 to manage the company, while
Torkelson remained in Wisconsin and has since become one of the
nations finest cheese makers. He has won many National and
International awards for his cheeses, and in the fall of 2007 was
awarded the distinction of Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker.
 In
2004, Ashe County Cheese was split into two separate companies: Ashe
County Cheese Company (the plant division) still owned and operated
by Everhart and Torkelson, and
Ashe County Cheese Store, now owned
and operated by the Everhart Family. Though two separate companies,
the businesses work hand in hand to efficiently utilize both work
space and personnel.
Ashe County Cheese Store has remodeled and expanded several times
through the years, with the most recent remodel and addition being
completed in the spring of 2007. The store now offers not only all
the products made here, but also a wide variety of other food and
gift items.
The plant has also undergone several upgrades since 1994, and though
it still makes old style cheddar daisy wheels, it now produces a
wide variety of cheeses and butter. It has developed a strong
following for its original Sienna cheese, its many flavored cheeses,
and its newest variety Juusto cheese (a mild Scandinavian cheese).
With a rich history covering more than 75 years, Ashe County Cheese
is well positioned to face the many challenges of the future, and we
look forward to serving your needs for many years to come.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please
contact us at 800.445.1378, 336.246.2501,
email us, or use our online request form. |
