Half-Shepherd Market & Cheese Shop

Whether you like to plan ahead or if you're planning on forgetting until the last minute, we've got you covered for Valentine's Day! We're offering special cheese plates for two featuring three cheeses, @sweetlouisechocolate truffles, stuffed peppadews, and more. Pre-order only! Find it on the webstore to order by Wednesday 2/10 for pickup on Saturday 2/13 or Sunday 2/14. Also, we have a limited number of chocolate dipped bourbon and raisin goat cheese hearts from @capriolego...atcheese. And, speaking of Sweet Louise, we have plenty (maybe?) of five, nine, and twelve piece truffle boxes. And for all of you last minute folks, we will be OPEN Sunday 2/14 from 12pm-4pm, so you can pretend like you were planning all along to impress with a bountiful bevy of beauties for your beloved from the Shep. #shoplocal #shopsmall #valentinesday #cheese #wineandcheese #chocolate #chocolateandcheese #athensga #normaltownathens #independentgrocer #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown See more

New cheeses! Well, probably new to y'all, but two of my all time favs that I've finally been able to get into the shop. First up, did you know that they make cheese in Wisconsin? It's true! This bandaged cheddar comes from the man, the myth, the legend: Willi Lehner of Bleu Mont Dairy. Aged for over a year, this cheddar's got it all: caramelly sweetness, bright acidity, aromas of fresh cut hay, earth, and toasted nuts, and it's got those crystals going on. I mean... c'mon! It...'s all in there! Next up: Are you on the fence when it comes to blue cheese? Fences can be uncomfortable. Get off that fence and get some Chiriboga Blue. Made by an Ecuadorian cheesemaker in Bavaria, this cow milk blue is based on a Bavarian blue cheese recipe that was, in turn, inspired by that most famous of sheepy blues, Roquefort. Chiriboga is not as assertive as Roquefort, and it's denser in texture, but it is every bit as decadent. It has a remarkably complex, buttery flavor with hints of mushrooms, and it's quite spreadable. You need to come get some before I eat it all. Both of these beauts can be found on the webstore and in the cheese case. #cheese #artisancheese #americanartisancheese #cheddar #bluecheese #germancheese #wisconsincheese #shoplocal #shopsmall #smallbusiness #athensga #normaltownathens #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown See more

New meats! From our snow-buried friends up in Chicagoland, @tempestasalumi: Chicken Liver Pate and Pepperoni (fully fermented, not cooked, and ready to be sliced to your liking). And for your sandwich-making enjoyment, a pair of deli meats made from American Wagyu beef: Pastrami from Tempesta and Roast Beef from @dartagnanfoods. #artisanmeats #pastrami #meatandcheese #shoplocal #shopsmall #smallbusiness #independentgrocer #athensga #normaltownathens #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown

Six more days to shop Half-Shep before Christmas! The shop has been busy this week and for that we are grateful thanks for shopping local and letting us play Santa. We’ve got you covered for last minute gifts and you can stock up for holiday cooking while you’re at it. Limited number of people in the store at a time, so keep your group small or, better yet, order ahead of time through the webstore! See ya soon. #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopathens #eatlocal #normaltownathens #athensga #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown

Roughly 20 years ago, I went into Nuçi’s Space to apply for a job. A guy I kinda knew that worked there had just left, and I thought, Hey, that’d be a sweet gig. That was the first time I met Linda Phillips. I walked into her office and said something to the effect of, Hey, I’m Fritz and I hear you’re looking to replace this guy I know. She said, Well, we could never replace him. That was the start of my time at Nuçi’s Space. I had been living in Athens for not quite th...ree years at that point, but I still hadn’t found my space in this town. I’d left some other town where I’d dug myself a pretty good hole, only to arrive here with my shovel at the ready to dig another. The moment I started working at Nuçi’s, everything changed. That’s when I really started to feel like I belonged in this town. A quick rundown of the improvements of my life that came about during my time at Nuçi’s Space: I joined three bands (at least) with people I met there, I would get to know the woman I would eventually marry, and I spent countless hours with a couple guys that I consider to be my some of my closest friends, even don't reach out to them as often as I should. I even played my last rock show ever there. All of that at the space that Linda built. It wasn’t all good times. For those of you who don’t know, Nuçi’s Space’s primary focus is on mental health specifically working to provide mental health services to musicians. Working there made it easier for me to start addressing my own mental health. And even when what I was dealing with interfered with my job, I was given another chance. Maybe a couple of them. And I was able to do this because of the space that Linda built. Continued in comments... See more

@sweetlouisechocolate truffles are back in stock. Our last order sold out in less than 48 hours. We got a bigger order this time, but... let’s just say you shouldn’t wait too long. Even if you don’t need them today, play it’s safe and place your order in advance on that webstore. Link in bio. #localchocolate #localproducts #athensga #normaltownAthens #georgiamade #shoplocal #shopsmall #independentgrocer #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown

I have two new friends. Real ones this time. Swallow Tail is a semi-firm raw cow tomme from Vermont that’s buttery and lemony. A joy to eat on its own, or use it to whip up aligot (cheesy French mashed potatoes). And then there’s Winter’s Night, a dunkel (German-style dark lager) from @archesbrewing. Coincidentally, it’s really good with the Swallow Tail! Or maybe not a coincidence, because it goes really well with about everything. Shop online (link in bio) or come down to see us in real life. #artisancheese #craftbeer #beerandcheese #shoplocal #shopsmall #athensga #normaltownathens #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown

Our most recent shipment of lil’ tinned fishies from JOSE GOURMET included a new item: Ventresca Tuna (tuna belly canned in olive oil). Plus, we’ve got the José Gourmet box set now! It’s a four-pack in a branded box that includes Sardines in EVOO, Spiced Calamari in Ragout Sauce, Smoked Small Sardines in EVOO, & Mackerel Fillets in Oil. I don’t know about y’all, but this gift would make me swoon. #santaareyoulistening? ... #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopathens #eatlocal #normaltownathens #athensga #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown #giftbox #Portugal #Portuguese #cannedgoods See more

We reconfigured a couple of our gift boxes to make them more suitable for shipping (as in not as heavy or fragile as our other gift boxes). Click the link in our Instagram bio and then select "Shop merchandise and gift boxes for shipping." You'll find two gift boxes, Half-shep t-shirts and hats, and some other items from the shop that can be picked, packed, and shipped by our good friends @fulfillmentmerch. #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopathens #eatlocal #normaltownathens #athensga #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown #athens #athensga #athensgeorgia #independentgrocer #grocerypickup #giftboxes

This would be an appropriate place for a sprinting or marathon analogy, but my hip hurts and I don't want to think about running. We're open today! We're open Christmas Eve! And we are open every day in between. 12pm-6pm. As a reminder: We are limiting in-store shopping to four people at a time, so if you are going to visit us, try to keep your group small (like, one would be awesome) so that others don't have to wait out in the cold. Or rain. Or whatever the atmosphere decides to throw at us. Better yet! Place an order online for pickup (Webstore. Link. Bio). Or book a private shopping hour one evening after we close! Find details on the website. #shopsmall #shoplocal #shopathens #eatlocal #normaltownathens #athensga #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown #athens #athensga #athensgeorgia #indpendentgrocer #grocerypickup #giftboxes

More from Spain! We’ve expanded our olive selection to include these great @losadaolives. Shop online for pickup or throw on a mask and come see us!

We’ll be showcasing some new Spanish products this week! First up is @quadrumwines Red Blend. Read all about it and come grab a box.

We got our hands on some of this year’s batch of Rogue River Blue, a limited edition world champ cheese from Rogue Creamery. Check out the link for more details! https://mailchi.mp/fb8bb6634/the-worlds-best-cheese-is-here

We’ve got a thing for apple season! Five varieties from North Georgia, nestled next to apple friendly veggies from @ladybirdfarmga like fennel, sunchokes, and Hatch green chiles. (Seriously, homefries with green chiles and apples. You’re welcome). #localproduce #localapples #shopsmall #shoplocal #eatlocal #normaltownathens #athensga #independentgrocery #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown

Wisconsin Brick Cheese is here! They craft it the good ol’ fashioned way at Widmer's Cheese Cellars, using the original bricks and process from their beginnings back in 1912. Do yourself a favor and try it on some crusty Independent Baking Co bread with pâté and pickles or fix up a Detroit-Style pizza.

Casa Vecchio Mulino Grissini. Breadsticks handcrafted in Italy since 1860.

So many new additions this week! Zoom in and scope it out or head to our website and check out the new product section.

Something new from Canebrake Cottage in Woodville, Ga. Try it out with some Uplands Cheese Pleasant Ridge Reserve yum!

Fall weather calls for a maple syrup crash course. Here’s the rundown of our offerings from Mount Mansfield Maple Products!

#soupweather, y’all! We have our world* famous Tomato-Sherry Soup back in rotation and we’ll be doing a soup of the week. This week’s soup: chicken noodle, made with whole Springer Mountain chicken and @dartagnanfoods Smoked Chicken & Apple Sausage. Get a quart from the grab and go fridge or place an order for pickup from our webstore. (*hyperbole. But it’s real good.) #preparedfoods #soup #chickennoodle #normaltownathens #athensga #smallbusiness #independentgrocer #shoplocal #shopsmall #eatlocal #cantwaittogetbacktonormaltown #thisisalocalshopforlocalpeople

Summer is a tricky time to be in the cheese ordering businesses - especially in the South. But, with autumnal weather arriving in Georgia earlier than usual (i.e., at the beginning of fall), we're able to start reordering some of our beloved favorites and bring in some new soon-to-be favorites. Check out our newest newsletter for the full rundown! https://mailchi.mp/8/cool-weather-brings-super-cool-cheeses

Sophisticate your chips! We’ve got large bags of Torres Selecta Potato Chips from Spain in three unique flavors. Great for snacking or pairing with a favorite adult beverage. #shoplocal #shopsmall #buylocal #athensga #athens #normaltownathens

Delicious lil’ tinned fishies and gorgeous packaging from @jose.gourmet. The Smoked Trout is finally back and we’ve added Razor Clams in Brine and Fried Mussels in Marinade. Yum! Come say hello this week or shop online. #tinnedfish #josegourmet #shoplocal #shopsmall #buylocal #athensga #athens #normaltownathens