Fa la la la la......la la la la

Small Business Review #1: The Cheese Stands Alone

The words simply don't exist to describe just how confused I was when I learned of my first assignment - to review a quaint little cheese shop in Lincoln Square called The Cheese Stands Alone. Good lord, what could be better? A store that sells nothing but cheese, what's to critique? While the bright orange walls and clean, modern graphics are sure to impress, the fact remains, they could be selling it out of the back of their truck for all I care. Let's face it, my dinner is the canine equivalent of eating porridge twice a day, unceremoniously served out of a stainless steel bowl on the floor. The proprietors, Matt and Sarah Parker, are really nice, quite interested in my cheese-eating habits. Great selection of cheeses from around the world -- highly recommended, I give it 5 paws!

Good Day and Good Cheese!

The Cheese Stands Alone
4547 North Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
773.293.3870
Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday 10:30am to 7:30pm
Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Closed Monday

Product Review #1: Muttlucks

Walked outside this morning to 6" of snow. Good opportunity for me to test out my new boots: Muttlucks. While the name of the company is rather derogatory, and owner spent about 10 minutes getting them on my paws, I do say, these babies rock! Fleece-lined, with a grippy pad, nylon shell with a handy velcro strap. The sock part extends high up on my leg to prevent the snow from caking in there. (Hmmmm, speaking of cake....) Fairly secure fit, - although I did lose one briefly while trying to defend my pride to a neighborhood boxer.

OK, So We Got This Tree...

The day started promising enough. Owners took me and Indi (my sister) out for some holiday shopping. We stopped by the biscuit shop for what I assumed was to be a quick bite, only to be fitted for holiday headgear, -- and I don't mean a proper driving cap as you might imagine -- but a pair of furry stuffed reindeer antlers! What's next, a red nose?






Next stop, this "indoor tree" lot. I was pleased to learn that the proprietor of said tree farm was from Wisconsin, the land of cheese. Owners wanted my opinion, but seemed set on selecting tree by sight and not smell. Picked out a tree, $50 later and no cheese. I swear that guy and those trees must be from Indiana.



Went home, owners spent better part of afternoon hanging light bulbs and ribbons on our tree. Wasn't popcorn supposed to be involved in this tradition?

And finally, the dreaded and, oh so cliche, posed family holiday photos.
At least we weren't made to wear any tacky Christmas sweaters.




Off for a cup of dog nog and a nap....

Who in the world ordered this weather?

YEEEOWWW It's cold here in the windy city!

Owner makes me wear this dreadful jacket! Good lord it's bloody nylon....
A chap like me deserves the finest tweed one can find.

We are off on Saturday to purchase one of those Chrismas type trees....does owner think this is funny? Do you know how hard it is to keep from lifting my leg on that thing?

Next thing you know we will have an indoor fire hydrant installed!

Stay tuned for more tree tales during this festive season...

Good day and good cheese.

Greetings!

Stay Tuned... I'm sniffing around for some juicy tidbits.
oh wait, isn't it time for dinner?