Huron Valleys and Heritage Vats: The Ann Arbor Amish Cheese Company Opens

Ann Arbor, Michigan, celebrated for its world-class university, thriving tech culture, and remarkably progressive culinary landscape, is a city that deeply values food artistry. But the local gourmet scene has just introduced an exceptionally grounded destination that trades high-speed supply chains for traditional, small-batch craftsmanship. The Ann Arbor Amish Cheese Company has officially opened its doors, bringing the rich, hand-pressed traditions and time-honored dairy heritage of the rural countryside straight to Washtenaw County.

Stepping into the new retail storefront provides an immediate, peaceful contrast to the energetic hum of the city. The inviting space features warm, hand-planed wood accents, custom oak display cases, classic handwritten chalkboard menus, and rustic shelves stocked with a curated assortment of hand-packed provisions. A viewing window allows visitors to look into a secondary aging room, where golden wheels sit maturing to perfection on cured hardwood planks.

The Backstory: A Bridge to the Cultured City

The roots of the Ann Arbor Amish Cheese Company trace back to a tight-knit family agricultural cooperative with deep ancestral ties to the historic dairy regions of northern Indiana. For generations, the Mast and Miller families managed pristine pasturelands, perfecting the art of small-batch cheesemaking using raw milk and traditional wooden presses.

The inspiration to establish a permanent brick-and-mortar home in Ann Arbor sparked after several family members began supplying artisanal dairy products to seasonal markets and independent co-ops across southern Michigan. They quickly noticed that while local food lovers possessed an incredible appreciation for organic, sustainable, and complex flavors, the urban center lacked a dedicated, year-round source for authentic, old-world cheese craftsmanship.

Bringing the facility to life became a true labor of regional collaboration. Over several months, skilled craftsmen transformed a classic brick storefront near downtown, preserving the exterior character while outfitting the interior with massive timber frames and custom-built display shelving hewn from reclaimed barn wood. The completed market space stands as a magnificent living bridge between timeless agricultural traditions and Ann Arbor’s welcoming, culinary-focused community.

Fan Favorites: What to Fill Your Basket With

The company operates with a strict commitment to small-batch purity, relying entirely on heritage recipes that completely bypass modern chemical stabilizers. From smooth, mild snacking cheeses to robust varieties perfect for an elegant charcuterie board, these signature items have quickly become local favorites:

• Aged Golden Colby Cheese: Sourced from pasture-raised dairy herds, this premium cheese is hand-pressed and naturally aged to yield an incredibly smooth, buttery texture with a rich, comforting finish.
• The Overstuffed Sweet Bologna & Cheese Block: Inspired by classic market deli cuts, this unique specialty block infuses thin, savory ribbons of sweet-and-smoky bologna directly into a mild, creamy farmstead cheese.
• Aged Sharp White Cheddar: Naturally matured for a full 24 months on cured oak planks, this exceptional cheddar features a brilliant, slight crystalline texture and a bold, complex sharpness.
• Smoked Pepper Jack: Infused with hand-diced sweet and spicy peppers, this creamy cheese is hung in a traditional brick smokehouse for hours, infusing it with a delicate, backyard-aroma that pairs perfectly with fresh fruit.
• Copper-Kettle Cheese Curds: Squeaky, fresh, and hand-salted, these bite-sized treats are made fresh every Tuesday and Friday morning, capturing the pure, unaged sweetness of pasture-fresh milk.

In addition to the incredible dairy selection, visitors can explore a curated pantry section featuring copper-kettle peach butter, raw wildflower honey, and hand-baked, thick-sliced potato bread.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you are gathering the perfect ingredients for a weekend gathering, packing a gourmet picnic for a stroll along the Huron River, or simply hunting for an authentic taste of country hospitality, the Ann Arbor Amish Cheese Company welcomes you with generous samples and genuine warmth.

Location: Ann Arbor Amish Cheese Company, 208 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104