Plymouth, WI – The Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation Foundation (SCEDCF) and the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority (RDA), have started construction on the Plymouth Cheese Capital of the World building at 133 E. Mill Street in downtown Plymouth. With a goal of opening the historic 1875 building during the summer of 2017, construction is on an aggressive schedule starting with demolit
ion work. Mill Street project is a cheese themed retail store and heritage center paying homage to the past, present, and future of cheese production and converting. It is estimated that 15% of all the cheese consumed in the U.S. moves through Plymouth as either bulk or converted cheese for retail and food service/ingredient consumption. In 2017, the completion of the project will help celebrate the City of Plymouth’s 140 years as a City and its standing as the Cheese Capital of the World. For decades Plymouth, WI has been considered the Cheese Capital of the World. This slogan started in the 1920’s while Plymouth was location for setting the commodity price of bulk cheese. “Cheeseville” was located on the south side of Plymouth along the railroad tracks and was the center of cheese distribution. Commodity analysts would meet daily in the Exchange Bank Building in downtown Plymouth and set the bulk price for cheese. The history in Plymouth certainly supports the “Cheese Capital of the World” designation. Although the cheese price is now set as part of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Plymouth is still recognized as the Cheese Capital of the World, with manufactures Sargento, Sartori, Masters Gallery and Great Lakes Cheese calling Plymouth home and numerous cold storage facilities in the city storing millions of pounds of cheese. The Cheese Capital of the World building will have three completed floors; with the main floor paying homage to the history of cheese in Plymouth and Sheboygan County. There will be displays and hands on activities for visitors of all ages as well as the opportunity to purchase the finest cheese products from the area. A lunch counter serving traditional and exotic grilled cheeses along with other menu items is planned. The project also includes three (3) premium market rate apartment units on the second floor and rear of the property as well as a future Phase II of interactive exhibits geared toward children in the lower level or “kid’s cheese cave” area. For continued updates on the project, please visit the newsletter section on the City of Plymouth website at http://www.plymouthgov.com/plymouth-news/.
