Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), a Kansas City, Kan.-based cooperative owned by family farmers, said it broke ground for the construction of a new retail store, “The Creamery,” in Beaver, Utah. The store will replace the existing cheese store currently on the site of DFA’s Beaver processing plant.

Slated for opening in late 2018, the 11,250-square-foot store, located near the intersection of Interstate 15 and Interstate 70, will be more than four times the size of the original cheese store, DFA said. It will feature expanded retail space, greater product selection and an interactive dairy-related educational experience for visitors. The new location also will have greater visibility from Interstate 15, which should increase consumer traffic and sales.

“Our farmers are proud of the dairy products they produce each and every day, and The Creamery will reflect this by bringing the freshness of the farm and the Utah region to life, as all the milk comes from local farms and is processed into cheese just steps away from the store right here in Beaver City,” said Dennis Rodenbaugh, senior vice president and chief operating officer of DFA’s Western Fluid Group. “This will not be your typical convenience stop along the highway. With the use of natural woods and metals, which harken back to the farm, The Creamery will be a dairy destination and perfectly on trend with what consumers today are looking for, which is knowing where their food comes from.”

The Creamery will offer a variety of dairy products, including cheese curds, artisanal cheeses, ice cream, convenience items and more, DFA said. The new location also will feature a full-service café serving breakfast and lunch. Menu items will include fresh-made sandwiches and other dairy-based selections showcasing the cheeses made at the Beaver plant, which has been a fixture in the area for more than 60 years.

“We could not be more excited about continuing our long-standing relationship with DFA through the construction of The Creamery,” said Matt Robinson, mayor of Beaver. “Both the plant and cheese store have been incredibly positive for our community, and we look forward to creating even more local business with The Creamery.”

The Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development also has offered support and approved a $50,000 fast-track grant to help fund The Creamery, DFA noted. The new location is anticipated to create jobs for approximately 10 new employees, in addition to the 12 employees who will move to the new space from the existing store.

The Creamery’s groundbreaking ceremony kicked off with a welcome from local dairy farmer and DFA Mountain Area Council Chairman Brian Hardy of Brigham, Utah. Robinson and Rodenbaugh of DFA also thanked key project contributors and expressed their overall excitement about The Creamery’s future opening, DFA said.