Well-known Cheese Shop Closes

A longtime Doylestown business has closed its doors, but the town hasn't lost its beloved wares for good.

La Maison du Cheese, at 51 W. State Street, has stopped selling its variety of cheeses and freshly made croissants. The quaint building that housed the business is up for sale.

But take heart: customers who frequented the sweet and savory shop only have to take a detour to another merchant in town, who plans to add the shop’s baked goods to his own offerings.  

That could be happening as early as next week.

La Maison du Cheese had been a Doylestown fixture for 33 years.

The mother-daughter team of Martha Spring and Carol Prater was a familiar sight to customers.

Other children and grandchildren pitched in from time to time to share shop duties as well.

Prater was the sole baker and proprietor for much of the past five years, and the responsibility of running the shop as well as tending to family responsibilities just became too much.

“You’re just working so hard – it was just burning me out,” she said over the weekend. “I think it’s just time for a change. And I’m really excited about this (new venture).”

The store quietly closed Sunday. A small, hand-printed sign with Prater’s email address was posted on the wall, bidding customers “Au revoir.”

Many customers didn’t know she was closing, she said, so she planned to send out an email blast to the 400 ones on her mailing list to let them know where she’ll be.

Prater plans to take her baking expertise and cheese knowledge to a nearby establishment, Andre’s Wine & Cheese Shop at the Main Street Marketplace, 22 S. Main St.

Andre Jurema, owner of the shop, said he’s looking forward to having Prater on board.

“She’s a staple in this town,” he said.

Aside from selling a variety of cheeses and local wines, Andre’s also provides a selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads and panini for lunch and dinner.

Right now, the shop opens at 11 a.m., with no hours Sundays and Mondays.

With Prater’s hiring, Jurema said he plans to open at 9 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, so Prater’s pastries, quiches and desserts could cater to a breakfast crowd.

He still needs to get approval from the health department and install ovens at his location to make that happen.

The La Maison du Cheese building was put on the market last Monday.

Doylestown broker Nicholas Molloy, owner of J. Carroll Molloy Realtor, is handling the sale of the property, which is zoned for commercial use and listed for $349,000.

The description says the 535-square-foot building consists of two rooms: an entry room sitting area with tables and open beams, and a kitchen in the rear. 

It was built in 1921. The exterior consists of vinyl siding and masonry, with a pitched, shingled roof. The description says the billboard sign on the roof is registered.  

“Charming downtown shop with many retail and restaurants on same block,” a description of the property reads. “Ideal location for small business with much foot traffic and exposure.”

Molloy said there’s been some interest already about the building.

“For the right person and the right business, it can’t be a better place.”

The building is in downtown Doylestown, with many restaurants and shops up and down the street.

Another building right next door at West State and Hamilton streets is also recently empty.

Hens Teeth Rare Gifts & Collectibles, the most recent occupant, moved to another location nearby at 40 W. Oakland Ave.

Also zoned for commercial use, the building was built in 1882 has 600 square feet of space.

Keller Williams Realty has it listed as a rental property at $1,100 per month.