THE HOT LIS T 2024 culturecheesemag.com 63
SHOP TALK
WILLOW'S CHEESE SHOP
6413 Blanco Rd.,
San Antonio, Texas
Owners: Velma Armijo
and Gabby Armijo
Mother-daughter duo Velma
Armijio and Gabby Armijo
couldn't help but notice
the lack of cheese shops in
San Antonio, Texas. Sure,
grocery stores in the area
stock national brands of
cheeses, but they craved
locally made fare.
In the scorching summer
of 2023, the two opened
Willow's Cheese Shop, the
first in San Antonio. Driven
by championing local artisan
wedges, the two knew their
community would appreciate
their shop's accessibility.
The pair hosts interactive
classes to help customers
enhance their knowledge
of different styles of cheese.
"Many people in San Antonio
have never been offered the
opportunity to try cheese out
of a case, and for them, it's a
mind-boggling experience,"
says Velma.
As the shop gains
attention, Gabby continues
to stay one step ahead; she
recently graduated from
Cheese State University, a
program designed by the
Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin..
"It's not the knowledge you
have, but the desire to keep
learning," she explains. It's all
part of a collective vision to
grow a community of cheese
lovers in San Antonio.
What does it take to be
an impactful leader in the
cheese industry?
Gabby: If you think you've
learned all there is to know
about cheese, you have
to keep expanding your
knowledge in order to grow.
Velma: I come from an
education background,
and in this industry, it's
important to invite people in
to understand all there is to
know and love about cheese.
What's your favorite cheese
pairing right now?
Gabby: I've been obsessed
with pairing Divina Sour
Cherry Spread with a smear
of Saint Angel Triple Creme.
Velma: I can't get enough
of Murray's High Plains
Cheddar with a handful of
ripe, juicy grapes.
