WHEELS OF FORTUNE : Some of the specialty cheeses that will be on sale at cheesemaker Paul Broughton's new Featherston store.
Cheesemaker Paul Broughton is bringing back a piece of Featherston's history.
He is echoing a time when the town was home to the Featherston Co-operative Dairy Company which ran under various names from 1895 to 1966.
It was a significant producer of cheese and other dairy products, said Wairarapa archivist Gareth Winter.
"During World War II they concentrated on cheese.
"Over time there were hundreds of dairy factories in Wairarapa and now there are none."
But now Mr Broughton, who runs Terawhiti Cheese Company, is opening 'C'est Cheese' where he will produce and sell New Zealand-made artisan cheeses and local products.
"It's nice to bring cheese back to Featherston, it's all part of the history.
"These are the things that built New Zealand."
Mr Broughton, who trained at the NZ Cheese School, has been making cheese for four years while working as an asset manager for commercial property.
He said opening the store had been a long-time dream of his and Featherston was the ideal location for the cheese store and his partner Sue's shop which sells art and books.
They had looked at other towns like Martinborough and Carterton before deciding to buy a building opposite the Royal Hotel.
"Featherston, of course, offered value for money but it also offered exposure to everyone going through."
He will be selling specialty cheeses made by 20 different producers, including locally made Kingsmeade and Cwmglyn cheeses and other local food products like cured meats, olive oil, chutney and relish.
"It's not just cheese."
Eventually Mr Broughton will make his own cheese.
"We're halfway through the process."
Overseas he said he had seen many cheese bars and delis but they weren't that common in New Zealand.
"We have amazing product in New Zealand and there's not many places that specialise in cheese."
Like craft beer, craft cheese was becoming popular, said Mr Broughton.
"There's a backlash against mass-produced products.
"It's happened with beer and it's happening with cheese."
Mr Broughton said he wanted to support locally made products.
People like to know where their food comes from, he said.
"It's as much about education as it is about buying cheese."
The store opens on December 11.
It's understood a NZDF aircraft and multiple helicopters are involved.