CINCINNATI -- Gouda news, turophiles: An iconic New York City shop is now part of the Kroger family.
The Cincinnati-based grocery giant announced Tuesday it had purchased the equity of Murray's Cheese and its flagship location on Bleecker Street in Manhattan.
And if you think that news is unbrielievable, trust us: It's the wheel deal.
Murray's opened in 1940 and went into partnership with Kroger in 2008, offering cheese and charcuterie in Kroger stores.
"For cheese lovers and connoisseurs, it doesn't get more authentic than Murray's," Kroger chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said in the announcement. "Our customers are excited to buy the unique offerings of Murray's Cheese right in our stores, and we're excited to ensure this iconic cheese shop will remain a part of the Kroger family for many years to come."
Murray's Cheese shops inside Kroger stores have the same experience as the flagship location in Greenwich Village. Each has hundreds of cheeses, charcuterie, olives, crackers and specialty foods. Murray's staff helps pick the products and train the employees for the Kroger shops, along with working on promotions.
Murray's former owner and president, Rob Kaufelt, will stay on as a strategic adviser. Nick Tranchina will continue to lead the Murray's Cheese team in New York and will report to Daniel Hammer at Kroger.
(We apologize for the cheesy jokes. And by the way, "turophile" is just a high-falutin word for a cheese-lover. Maybe you could use that to impress guests at your next party, along with a plate of fancy cheeses.)
