There are lots of great reasons to visit Rosendale: the Widow Jane Mine, the spectacular Wallkill Valley Rail Trail trestle, cool vintage shops, the Rosendale Theater. And in the center of it all, there’s a spot that’s been keeping the community nourished for around three decades: The Big Cheese, a cafe and specialty food mart with just the right taste for every occasion.
Want breakfast that will sustain you through a hike? Grab an egg sandwich wrap with roasted peppers and onions. Longing for lunch? Have a botanical bowl: fresh greens, chickpea tempeh, cabbage salad, olives, onions, tomato, cucumber, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries.
Stress-free suppertime? Order up some BBQ wings and perfectly seasoned potato salad. Need a refreshing break? You’ll find superb coffee of all sorts, including cooling iced chai latte that pairs beautifully with a zesty Mexican hot chocolate cookie. And of course, The Big Cheese remains—as its founders, Yuval and Lisa Sterer, envisioned—a place for the worship of every kind of cheese.
“Rosendale is just a really beautiful slice of the Hudson Valley. On the one hand, it’s such a weird and quirky little town; on the other, it’s so utterly safe and welcoming." – Owner Trevor Carey
When it came time to hand over the reins, the Sterers hand-picked their successor: Trevor Carey, a team member who began his Big Cheese journey in a humble role and has gone on to master every nuance of the shop’s operations.
“I started out doing dishes here because I needed a part-time job while I was studying at SUNY New Paltz,” says Carey, a Hudson Valley lifer who studied history education before taking the plunge as part of Rosendale’s living history. “My brother and sister-in-law were living in the apartment upstairs and had an extra room, and I could cover the rent by washing dishes downstairs for Yuval and Lisa.My sister-in-law was a manager there, so it all just fit together really well.”
That was about seven years ago, and his love for the community and the cafe has just kept growing. “Rosendale is just a really beautiful slice of the Hudson Valley,” he says. “On the one hand, it’s such a weird and quirky little town; on the other, it’s so utterly safe and welcoming. The citizens are connected in ways you don’t find everywhere; walk down Main Street to Stewart’s or the post office, and you’ll probably see three or four people you know, which I find fantastic.”
The Sterers have stayed in the picture; Lisa curates the vintage and secondhand clothing sold in the back of the shop, while Yuval still makes his justifiably famous hummus. “They’re incredibly helpful,” Carey says. “Lisa is a wonderful listening ear; Yuval still finds the best things from the suppliers, and he’s also my go-to guy if something breaks down. They know it inside out, and they’ve taught me well.”
“There are a few minor tech tweaks in [the] restaurant world that help with efficiency, but mainly, I want it to stay The Big Cheese. I want someone who came here 30 years ago to be able to walk in and say, ‘Same feeling, same vibe, same place.’” – Owner Trevor Carey
“I love the experiences I have with the customers, whether they’re long-time regulars or first-timers." – Owner Trevor Carey
To the delight of Rosendaliens of all sorts, Carey is focused on staying the course: “There are a few minor tech tweaks in [the] restaurant world that help with efficiency, but mainly, I want it to stay The Big Cheese. I want someone who came here 30 years ago to be able to walk in and say, ‘Same feeling, same vibe, same place.’” It’s a wise choice. Alongside its starring role in the local cuisine world, The Big Cheese caught the eye of the team that came to town to shoot the 2011 film Peace, Love & Misunderstanding, starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener, and a scene was shot in the cafe’s interior. Each year, during the town’s famed street festival, The Big Cheese runs a beloved falafel stand. And locals and visitors turn out in force for the weekly trivia and open mic nights, gathering over beers and laughter.
Carey is having a blast as a cheesemonger and restaurateur. “I love the experiences I have with the customers, whether they’re long-time regulars or first-timers. The chance to greet them, chat with them, serve them food, and then have them tell me, ‘Thanks so much; that was really good and I’m happy,’ is incredibly satisfying, and it’s fresh every day. I love serving people.”
So stop in, take a look at the menu and the offerings in the deli cases, and browse the nifty vintage finds while you wait. There’s a park just steps away for a picnic if you prefer. Regulars continue to be delighted, and first-timers tend to become regulars, drawn in by the aromas and flavors that never fail to hit just the right spot.
The Big Cheese
404 Main Street, Rosendale
845-658-7175, thebigcheeserosendale.com
