Murray's Cheese facts for kids
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Murray's Cheese shop
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| Private | |
| Industry | Food |
| Fate | Acquired |
| Founded | 1962 c. in Greenwich Village, Manhattan |
| Founder | Murray Greenberg |
| Headquarters | Greenwich Village, , |
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Number of locations
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800+ (2021) |
| Services | Artisanal cheese and specialty foods retailer and wholesaler |
| Owner | Kroger Company |
Murray's Cheese is a famous shop in Greenwich Village, New York City. It sells special cheeses and other unique foods. The company also sells its products to other stores.
Murray's Cheese started in 1962. It grew from a company that sold eggs and dairy products. Over the years, it became very popular. In 2017, a big company called Kroger Company bought Murray's Cheese. By 2021, there were over 800 Murray's Cheese locations!
The Story of Murray's Cheese
Murray's Cheese was started by Murray Greenberg in 1962. It began as a small shop in Greenwich Village. Later, Louis Tudda owned the store. In 1991, Robert Kaufelt bought it. He even wrote a book about cheese called The Murray's Cheese Handbook.
In 2007, Murray's Cheese teamed up with the Kroger Company. This allowed them to open small Murray's shops inside Kroger supermarkets. Many people loved the store, including former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. In 2007, Time Out New York magazine called it the "Best Cheese Shop in New York."
Murray's Cheese opened a second store in Grand Central Terminal in 2002. Then, in 2008, they opened a meat shop nearby called Murray's Real Salami. In 2010, these two Grand Central Market spots joined together. In 2012, Murray's Cheese opened a restaurant called Murray's Cheese Bar. It's in Greenwich Village and serves cheese-focused dishes and wine.
On February 7, 2017, the Kroger Company officially bought Murray's Cheese. This was a big step for the company. In 2021, an article helped clear up some old stories about Murray's. It confirmed the store started around 1962, not 1940. It also corrected a story about Murray Greenberg's past.
Amazing Cheeses and How They're Made
Murray's Cheese has special "cheese caves" in Long Island City. These are like cool, damp rooms where cheese gets older and tastes better. The company has a special line of cheeses called "Cave Master" cheeses. These cheeses are aged right in their own caves.
In 2016, they launched a new Cave Master cheese called Annelies. It was made with a cheese maker from Switzerland. In 2017, they added a new cheddar called Ezra to the Cave Master line. Ezra was the first cheese that Murray's helped create from start to finish. They worked with Cornell University and Old Chatham Creamery to make it.
The store also sells cheeses from other countries, like Danish cheeses. These include types like Havarti and Tilsit cheese. In 2017, they added many new organic Danish cheeses. They brought in a dozen different kinds, like Danish White Cheese and Vita Mundo.
Fun Cheese Classes
Murray's Cheese also offers fun classes! In July 2017, they started a class called "Game of Tommes." This class teaches you about cheeses inspired by the TV show Game of Thrones. It's a cool way to learn about different cheeses.
