Pine River Cheese to re-open this summer

Pine River Cheese is set to re-open this summer.

The news came forward at the Huron-Kinloss committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday morning (Jan. 17), in a report by business and economic officer Amy Irwin.

The Lucknow and District Co-op and TG Group have announced a partnership to re-open the Pine River Cheese factory and retail store, located on Highway 21 south of Kincardine, said Irwin, in her report.

“The plant will make past favourite cheese products, as well as new cheese offerings. And planning is under way to renovate the store and incorporate eat-in, catering and take-out options, and open an eatery, deli, pizzeria and gelato bar called ‘Pine River Cheese Mercato and Pizzeria.’

“Pine River Cheese is currently hiring and anticipates being open for the summer season.”

“This is fantastic news,” said councillor Ed McGugan.

“I’ve seen that they’re doing a bit of work there,” said mayor Mitch Twolan. “This is great news.”

Councillor Lillian Abbott asked for more information about TG Group.

Councillor Jim Hanna said TG Group was in the bidding to purchase the facility. However, the Lucknow Co-op purchased it and TG Group is going to run it as a food service and production company,he said.

Pine River Cheese was closed in September, 2019, when the executive claimed it was experiencing a low margin in a tough marketplace. A fire in 2009 closed the cheese factory for over a year, impacting the company’s standing in the market, and it never really recovered.

In September, 2019, Pine River Cheese had been in business for 134 years, and 25 employees were affected by the closure.

The Lucknow Co-op purchased the facility in March, 2021.