Some errands take ten minutes, and some quietly eat your whole Saturday. In Longmont, there is a brick shop by the railroad tracks where a quick stop for cheese turns into an hour of browsing, then a second basket, then lunch. Locals plan charcuterie nights around it, and grandparents bring grandkids who cheer every impulse buy.
The real star is a walk-in cooler packed with hundreds of cheeses sorted by region, and the store keeps jackets handy so shoppers can linger. There is also a cafe, a gift shop, and shelves of kitchen goods that surprise first-timers. Keep reading to learn what makes this family-owned market worth the drive, how to plan your visit, and why so many Front Range residents keep coming back.
1. A Brick Building on Main Street
Right where Longmont’s Main Street begins, a modest brick building hides one of the busiest specialty stores on the Front Range.
Cheese Importers sits at 103 Main St, Longmont, CO 80501, just across the railroad tracks from much of downtown. It is a family-owned gourmet grocery store, and it carries far more than its name suggests.
The building rises two or possibly three stories, and nearly every inch is filled with goods. First-time shoppers often mention that the outside gives little hint of what waits inside.
Inside, the shelves hold European and American cheeses, imported pantry staples, kitchenware, home decor, and gifts. A cafe and bistro add a place to sit down and eat.
The store has earned a 4.8-star average from nearly 3,000 people on Google, which is a big number for a shop in a city of Longmont’s size. That kind of loyalty usually comes from regulars, not just one-time stops.
For Boulder County residents, the drive is short. For folks in Denver, it makes an easy half-day outing without touching I-70 traffic.
So what keeps people inside for an hour or more? The answer starts with a door at the back and a very cold room.
2. Looks Can Be Deceiving
Don’t judge a cheese shop by its facade. That lesson comes up again and again with this place.
From the street, the building looks plain and practical. Inside, the space is staged with care, with shelves arranged so shoppers can wander slowly from one display to the next.
Many people compare the mood to a small shop in Paris. French music plays through the store, and much of the inventory leans French and European.
The layout is organized and clean, even with so much stock packed in. Labels make things easy to find, which matters when there are hundreds of choices.
One honest note is that the space is tight. Some shoppers feel the aisles are crammed, especially on busy days, so patience helps.
That small-space feel is also part of the charm. Every corner seems to hold something new, and people who come back often find items they missed the first time.
Plan to move slowly. Speed-shopping here is a bit like skimming a good book, and the best parts are on the shelves you almost skipped.
3. The Famous Cheese Room
Here is the room people talk about most. Cheese selection comes up in more than 400 comments about the store, and the walk-in cooler is why.
The cheese room is a large refrigerated space lined with hundreds and hundreds of cheeses. They come from Holland, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, France, and well beyond.
Cheeses are separated by region. Small signs explain what each one is, which helps when the options start to blur together.
Plenty of American and local brands sit right beside the imports. That mix lets shoppers build a board with both Colorado and European picks.
Hard-to-find favorites turn up here too. One shopper who had moved back from New York finally tracked down Shropshire Blue on these shelves.
There is even a selection of vegan cheeses. That small detail means a plant-based guest does not have to sit out board night.
Plenty of people call it the largest cheese selection they have ever seen in one place. Give yourself real time in here, because choosing just three or four is the hardest part of the day.
4. Bring a Jacket, or Borrow One
Colorado folks know to layer up for the mountains. Few expect to need a coat for a grocery run.
The cheese room is kept cold to protect the cheese, and it is chilly enough that regulars suggest bringing a jacket. Even in summer, the temperature inside the cooler surprises newcomers.
Thankfully, the store keeps jackets on hand for shoppers to borrow. Grab one before heading in, and the browsing becomes much more comfortable.
Comfort matters here, because nobody picks out a good board in thirty seconds. Reading labels and comparing regions takes time.
Another handy feature sits nearby. The store offers an area where shoppers can leave a full basket while they go fill a second one.
That basket-parking spot says a lot about how people shop here. Many arrive planning a small purchase and leave with two loads.
Consider it a friendly warning. Wear warm sleeves, bring your patience, and maybe set a budget before the door closes behind you.
5. Everything Else on the Board
A great cheese needs good company. The store clearly understands that.
Crackers come up often, and the selection includes both imported and local brands. Olives also earn plenty of attention, with options stocked right in the cooler area.
Jellies, jams, and condiments fill nearby shelves. These are the small extras that turn a plate of cheese into a full spread.
The cooler also holds cured meats and other accompaniments. Shoppers can gather nearly everything for a board in a single loop.
Groups often come in with a plan for charcuterie night. A party of four once built an entire dinner here and admitted that narrowing the choices was the toughest part.
Beyond board basics, the shelves carry pastas, sauces, vinegars, oils, chocolates, and baked goods. French baguettes are sold right at the register.
Small treats show up too, including mini jars of clotted cream for people who never finish the full size. Leave room in the basket for the thing you did not know you wanted.
6. Kitchenware Worth a Detour
Surprise number two waits away from the cheese. Kitchen items get mentioned nearly 60 times by shoppers.
The store carries French kitchenware, cookware, and household goods. There are plates, dishware, glassware, and kitchen linens displayed in careful arrangements.
Serving boards and entertaining pieces fit right in. It makes sense to buy the cheese and the thing to put it on in one trip.
Home decor fills other corners of the building. Some shoppers say they came for groceries and spent most of their time here instead.
Quality and style are the draw, and many items are hard to find at big-box stores. That uniqueness is part of why the store works so well for housewarming gifts.
A traveler from New Zealand once wished for more suitcase space after browsing these shelves. Locals have the advantage of a car trunk.
Take a slow lap through this section, even if cooking is not your thing. You may walk out with a new favorite mug and zero regrets.
7. A Gift Shop Tucked Inside
Need a present by Friday? Plenty of Longmont residents solve that problem here.
The gift shop section draws dozens of mentions. It stocks soaps, perfumes, children’s books, toys, and other small finds.
Fancy gift wrap paper is available too. That makes it easy to buy and wrap in one stop.
Local chocolate bars and international chocolates make simple, crowd-pleasing gifts. Gourmet food gift ideas sit throughout the store.
Housewarmings, birthdays, and holidays all send people through the doors. Some shoppers come specifically to find something unique for a friend who already has everything.
The selection mixes imported products with local items. That blend gives gifts a little Colorado flavor even when the theme is European.
One grandmother came in with her granddaughter and blew past her budget while the youngster cheered every addition to the cart. Consider that both a charming story and a gentle caution for your own wallet.
8. Lunch at the Cafe and Bistro
Shopping builds an appetite, and the store has a fix for that.
The cafe is one of the most talked-about features after the cheese, with more than 130 mentions. The bistro adds nearly 90 more.
The cafe area reopened in recent times, which excited longtime regulars. Sandwiches are part of the draw.
Lunch fans name several favorites. French onion soup and quiche both come up often, and the Nicoise plate has loyal repeat orders.
Having a kitchen on site changes how a visit unfolds. Shoppers can browse, sit down for lunch, and then return to finish their list.
That rhythm is a big reason a cheese run stretches into an afternoon. Nobody has to rush home hungry.
For retirees meeting friends or parents grabbing a kid-free lunch, the bistro makes an easy, low-key plan. Order, relax, and then head back for one more look at the cooler.
9. Picnics on the Covered Patio
Some of the best meals here never make it home.
The store has an outdoor seating area with umbrellas. On nice Colorado days, shoppers buy a cheese and a fresh baguette and enjoy an impromptu picnic right on site.
Prepackaged meats and French sodas round out these quick meals. The French music from inside adds to the relaxed mood.
An outdoor bite is a fun way to test a cheese before buying more. If it is a hit, the cooler is only a few steps away.
Front Range weather can shift quickly, so check the forecast. Spring and fall afternoons can be especially pleasant for sitting outside.
The patio also gives groups a break. After a long browse, sitting down together lets everyone compare purchases and plan the next board.
Couples sometimes turn it into a mini date. One family spent Valentine’s Day here and called it a highlight, and that sounds like a pretty sweet use of a weekday.
10. Staff Who Know Their Cheese
Questions are welcome here, and that makes a difference.
Many shoppers describe the staff as kind, patient, and knowledgeable. People with long lists of questions say they never feel rushed.
The owner, Sam, gets mentioned for being friendly and happy to chat about cheese. That personal touch fits a family-owned business.
Owner responses online often thank customers for supporting the family business. It is a small detail that shows people behind the counter care about regulars.
Not every interaction lands perfectly. A few shoppers wish certain staff members were a bit warmer, so experiences can vary on busy days.
Tastings are another helpful service. Plan to arrive early, since tasting ends a couple of hours before closing, around 5 PM on regular days.
Asking for help is the fastest way to narrow hundreds of cheeses to a perfect few. A good recommendation can save both time and money.
11. Who Will Love It Most
Ask who this store suits, and the honest answer is a surprisingly wide crowd.
Hosts planning charcuterie nights get the most out of it. Everything for a board lives under one roof.
Gift shoppers come next, especially those tired of generic store-bought presents. The mix of decor, books, toys, and treats covers many ages.
Home cooks love the imported pastas, oils, and vinegars. They also find new ingredients to try in their own kitchens.
Families enjoy it as a shared outing. Grandparents with grandkids and parents with grown children both show up often.
Couples can make it a low-cost date by browsing, grabbing lunch, and sitting on the patio. Spending is optional, even if temptation is high.
People who moved to Colorado often hear about the store early on. Longtime locals still count it as a must-visit, and that staying power says plenty.
12. Hours, Costs, and Parking
A little planning goes a long way at a popular shop.
Cheese Importers opens at 9 AM every day. It closes at 6 PM Monday through Saturday and at 4 PM on Sunday.
Parking is easy to find and free, a welcome change from many Front Range downtowns. The store sits just across the railroad tracks on Main Street.
Prices vary widely. Some shoppers feel imported specialty items run high, while others say prices are fair for the quality.
One regular spends around 100 dollars on a yearly birthday stock-up. Setting a budget before walking in may help.
Checkout lines can get long during busy times. They tend to move quickly, but early arrivals often have an easier visit.
Arriving early also catches the tasting window, which wraps up a couple of hours before close. Morning visits on weekdays may feel less crowded than weekends.
Signs posted in the store note that bags may be subject to inspection. Knowing that in advance avoids surprises at the door.
13. Worth the Whole Afternoon
Few grocery runs earn a spot on a weekend plan. This one does.
Cheese Importers mixes a giant cheese room, a cafe, a gift shop, and a French-style kitchen store into one family-owned building. That variety is why visits run long.
It is not a weekly grocery stop for most people. Some find prices too high for routine shopping, and the aisles can feel tight.
As a special trip, though, it shines. Board builders, gift hunters, and lunch lovers all leave with something.
The best approach is simple. Come early, grab a jacket, set a budget, and leave room for lunch.
Longmont residents get to treat it as a neighborhood favorite. Denver and Boulder folks can make it an easy drive that skips the mountain traffic.
Bring a friend, a cooler bag, and a free afternoon. The cheese board will take care of the rest.
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