Pardon me while I brag on a few of our awesome friends here in The DLM Cheese Shop—Scott and Andrea Robbins, the husband-wife duo behind Cincinnati's Urban Stead Cheese Company. They make beautiful cheeses that are both aesthetically pleasing and delicious—and they have earnest beliefs, such as creating a great local product that has a sense of community. If that wasn’t enough, they also have a cool tasting room where they sell and serve the cheeses that they make on site. Did I mention that they just received Bronze at the 2024 World Cheese Awards for Street Ched, their English-style, clothbound Cheddar, and gold for their Dutch-style Gouda?

I first met them about six years ago. Scott is the head cheesemaker and mastermind behind their award-winning lineup. Andrea, in her words “is head of everything else,” (not to be taken lightly). Together, they create the perfect balance that keeps the cheese wheels turning. I was blown away by the quality and flavor of their beautiful selection of artisan cheeses made right in the heart of the Queen City. 

They approach their craft with the intention of making as little footprint as possible. This is what prompted them to renovate a building that sat empty for over 10 years in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood into a cozy and beautiful tasting room and production site. In true fashion of keeping local, even the milk that they use is acquired locally from a Jersey cow farm out of Mowrystown, Ohio.

Their goal ultimately is to create “Cheddar for the better,” a motto that's proven not only by the numerous awards Street Ched has won, but by the fact that the byproducts from their production go to local farmers to feed livestock. Additionally, any excess cheese is given to a local food pantry.

What Scott and Andrea have accomplished in several years has taken others decades to achieve. It's been a true honor having a front-row view and to carry their renowned, locally made cheese. Whether you venture to their tasting room or pick up their cheese at DLM, you'll understand why we love Urban Stead so much!