The House of Cheese: What I Learned From an Ottawa Classic
Man, I still remember walking into The House of Cheese in Ottawa back in 2021. The smell hit first – rich, earthy, tangy.
It wasn’t just a store, it was an experience. And now that it’s gone (it shut down in late 2022), I can’t stop thinking about it.
If you’ve ever loved a local place that quietly disappeared, you’ll get why I’m writing this.
How it started and why it mattered to me
I’d just moved to ByWard Market, near 34 ByWard Market Square, and I was broke but curious.
There was this tiny shop – The House of Cheese Ltd., family-run since 1975.
They sold over a hundred kinds of cheese, from Quebec’s Bleu Bénédictin to Dutch Beemster.
Every block looked like art. Every smell told a story.
In 2021, I started cooking more (pandemic habits, right?).
I’d stop by the shop every few weeks. The owners – an older couple – always chatted about pairings.
They’d say things like, “You don’t need fancy wine, just something honest.”
That line stuck. “Something honest.”
Anyway – by 2022, things changed. Prices went up, rent was brutal, and I heard whispers they might close.
Then one December day, the door was locked for good.
According to MNP Ltd. (they handled the insolvency case), the founder passed away earlier that year, and the family couldn’t keep it going.
Man, that one hit hard.
What I learned about buying real cheese (the hard way)
When you lose your go-to shop, you start experimenting.
Here’s what I figured out after months of trial and error – some wins, some disasters.
My personal tips
- Skip supermarket “gourmet” cheese. It’s often bland, overwrapped, and overpriced. I learned that in 2023 the hard way.
- Try local markets. In Ottawa, places like La Trappe à Fromage (Gatineau) or Jacobsons still care about freshness.
- Watch out for wax coatings. I once bit into one… yeah, don’t.
- Smell matters. If it smells like a wet basement, maybe not today.
- Talk to the seller. Real cheese people love sharing their favorites. That’s how I discovered Quebec’s Alfred le Fermier – wow.
Comparing what replaced The House of Cheese
| Store / Brand | Location | Price Range | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacobsons | Beechwood Ave, Ottawa | $$$ | Classy, curated, a bit posh |
| La Trappe à Fromage | Gatineau | $$ | Local, lively, friendly |
| Metro / Farm Boy | Citywide | $ | Clean, but too commercial |
| The House of Cheese (past) | ByWard Market | $$ | Personal, old-school charm |
Yeah, nothing beats that last column.
What experts say about cheese and local food
“Small-scale producers help maintain biodiversity and taste variety that industrial cheese can’t match.”
– Canadian Dairy Information Centre, 2024 Report (agriculture.canada.ca)
“Fermentation is culture, literally and socially. Local cheese shops are heritage.”
– Dr. Claire M., Food Studies Journal, 2025 (Google Scholar)
People keep asking me these questions
Q: Can you still buy their cheese anywhere?
Honestly? Nope. Not under that name. Some local distributors carry similar Quebec brands, though. (Checked May 2025)
Q: Why did they close if everyone loved them?
Love doesn’t pay rent, sadly. Costs skyrocketed in 2022. (Source: MNP Ltd. case file)
Q: What’s the closest thing today?
Probably Jacobsons. Pricey, but they’ve got heart. (Personal opinion, 2025)
Q: Was it worth all the nostalgia?
Yeah. You don’t forget food that felt like community.
Q: Do you think it’ll come back?
Maybe. Or maybe the next great shop’s already warming up. You never know.
Why I’m still thinking about it
Sometimes I walk past that corner at ByWard Market and still expect the smell.
It’s silly, I know. But places like that shape us.
They teach patience, taste, and appreciation.
For me, The House of Cheese wasn’t just about dairy – it was about people who cared.
Maybe you’ve lost a favorite spot too. If you have, you know that feeling: a mix of gratitude and ache.
And maybe, if we talk about it, someone else will decide to open their own version – small, human, and honest.
