Co-Owner: Carl Chastain
My business: Van Hook Cheese & Grocery
The story behind Van Hook is…
We opened in Montclair in July 2021. Five years after opening our first shop in Jersey City, we were ready to expand to a second location. My wife (and co-owner) Laura and I moved with our two kids to Montclair in 2019, and have been keeping an eye out for spaces since then. We both felt that the town would embrace a cut-to-order artisan cheese shop. We love the food scene here and appreciate the support that the community shows for our independent businesses. We are excited to join their ranks!
We offer and uniquely focus on…
Artisan cheese and salumi, and everything else that you’d need to create an appetizing spread for yourself and your loved ones. We sell platters, beautiful homewares, antipasti, conservas, and all things pickled and preserved. Most importantly, we constantly focus on creating a neighborhood place– a place that you can go and have a conversation and share some enthusiasm for and learn about delicious things.
A fun fact about Van Hook’s name…
Our name Van Hook is not a personal name, rather a mashup or portmanteau of two bordering neighborhoods to our shop in Jersey City– Van Vorst and Paulus Hook.
Learn more: View Van Hook Cheese & Grocery’s full profile here.