Heini’s Gourmet Market - a one-stop shop for Ohio artisan foods
By Joanne Lehman
Increasingly, people are seeking out the unique flavors found in artisan or gourmet foods. These foods might be anything from a locally produced cheese or wine to a regional barbecue sauce or salsa. The definition varies, but generally, artisan foods are handmade on family-owned farms or by family-owned businesses — often in small batches. Sometimes the manufacturer uses a traditional recipe. They may have developed their own preparation method or feature a unique combination of ingredients.
The new Heini’s Gourmet Market in Sugarcreek showcases the unique offerings of the Ohio’s small producers. These entrepreneurs make a wide variety of products and sometimes find it challenging to produce and market their wares while growing their business.
Lisa Troyer, vice president of sales at Heini’s cheese, said her father, although he’s been retired for several years, still gets up most mornings and comes to Bunker Hill Cheese to watch the start-up of another day of cheesemaking. He is an example of the dedication and investment made by many local food artisans around the state of Ohio. At Heini’s, milk for their cheesemaking comes from more than 270 local Amish farms and is delivered each morning in traditional metal milk cans.
Troyer and her sister, Lee Anne Dauwalder-Heath vice president of marketing at Heini’s, understand the marketing issues faced by other small food manufacturers. They also understand and believe in the quality of these products. “Our parents had a vision for a lot of varieties of cheese, and it was a success,” said Troyer. “Now we want to pass on what we’ve learned and help like-minded artisans.”
During a big snowstorm last year, after being inside several days, her family had no trouble making a list of “must haves” to be brought home from Heini’s when someone finally got out, including Keric Korn from Wadsworth and Sparky & Spikes Pepper Products from Massillon. “This is the stuff you bring home and use at home,” Troyer said.
Troyer and Dauwalder-Heath opened Heini’s Gourmet Market in Sugarcreek last year as a second location for Heini’s Cheese. The market stocks only food and beverages made in Ohio, and the variety is astounding. Visitors and locals alike appreciate the European-style market that offers more than 800 Ohio specialty foods from more than 200 Ohio companies. Many of these are small to medium-sized businesses.
The market boasts a Food-Network quality kitchen, which serves as a center for daily demos and tasting. They offer a regular free Thursday evening cooking school, from 6-8 p.m., and always have free gourmet samples of everything from Ohio relishes and chutneys to coffee from Berardi’s Coffee Roasters in Cleveland. A bistro offers unique sandwiches featuring many of the store’s products and unique Ohio sauces and mustards. Wine and cheese tasting is available at Buckeye Wine Gallery and wine bar, featuring more than 100 types of Ohio wines, many difficult to find anywhere else.
While not all Ohio-made products are competitively priced with popular brands found in grocery chains, they are far superior in taste and freshness. “Everyone knows it’s popular to support local suppliers,” said Troyer. “We’ve been talking about local food for years. When we buy these products we invest in this community.” Troyer cited a survey, which found that 90 percent of those questioned would be willing to pay up to 50 cents more for an Ohio product when it’s offered in a restaurant or a supermarket.
Bob Walker, marketing director at Heini’s, is assembling a growing list of foods produced in this area and around the state. Local businesses include Amish Naturals, based in Holmesville, which produces a variety of egg noodles from premium organic ingredients, Red Onion Kitchens, from New Philadelphia, which sells a line of sauces, marinades and salad dressings, Schlabach Amish Bakery at Benton, Stutzman Farms organic cereals, grains and flours, and Tonn’s Apiaries, Walnut Creek.
Visitors to Heini's Gourmet Market in Ohio Amish Country can sample a wide variety of gourmet Ohio foods and go home with unique Ohio souvenirs. What better way to reflect good taste than to order a gift basket filled with the wares of Ohio’s best culinary specialists? And don’t miss the many Ohio festivals that feature these wonderful local Ohio foods.
Heini’s and the Bunker Hill Cheese Company are located at 6005 County Road 77, Millersburg, Ohio 44654. Heini’s Gourmet Market is located at the intersection of state routes 39 and 93 in Sugarcreek, at 1019 W. Main Street. The market is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and closed on Sunday. For more information, call 330-852-3500 or 866-531-OHIO or visit www.heinisgourmetmarket.com. Or find out about current Ohio culinary events at Heini’s Gourmet Market.
Heini’s Gourmet Market highlights
• More than 800 gourmet Ohio specialty foods, from more than 200 Ohio companies, with numerous free samples throughout the market
• Wine and cheese tasting at Buckeye Wine Gallery and wine bar featuring more than 100 types of Ohio wines, many difficult to find anywhere else
• A cheeseballing station where visitors can sample mini cheeseballs and make their own cheeseball, choosing from a variety of Heini’s artisan cheeses, herbs, nuts and more
• Free cooking classes from 6-8 p.m. on Thursdays in the Food Network worthy gourmet kitchen
• Musical entertainment on Saturdays from noon to 3 p.m.
• A bistro serving gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and soups
• Open longer than many other Amish Country businesses, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
