A super soft opening at Barnyard Cheese Shop, back in biz on B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

In recent days and weeks, Beatriz Gutierrez has been getting the next iteration of the Barnyard Cheese Shop ready at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. (We first reported on her return in August.)

"We're having a super-soft opening, an ultra-soft opening," Gutierrez said of her meat, cheese and fine foods shop and quick-serve restaurant next door to her Brix Wines. "We quietly opened our doors to test some things out, and we did six sandwiches the first day, 16 the next, then 35, and then 50, and it was too fast for us." 

They took a few days off to reset, and for Beatriz to visit her mother on her 80th birthday before reopening on Dec. 21, the day I paid a visit...

Returning sandwiches include the Figgy Piggy, prosciutto, fig jam, and goat cheese on flauta creation... and the Barnyard Classic (below) with eggs, thick-cut bacon and cheddar cheese...

And here's a look around...

We found Luke behind the counter...

There are several seats for dining inside Barnyard...

Hours right now are flexible. Ideally, Barnyard will be open Monday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 or 7 p.m. The shop is cash or Venmo only until their point-of-sale system is running.

The original Barnyard Cheese Shop closed in October 2021 at 168 Avenue B. (The business dates to 2008 on Ninth and C, with a 2016 opening on Avenue B.) Like other food service establishments at the time, Gutierrez said she was having difficulty finding kitchen help. Victor, her longtime cook, lost his brother during the pandemic ... and he returned home to be with family in Mexico. 

Gutierrez gave this current Barnyard Express concept a test run for several months in a limited capacity on weekends starting in December 2021.

Barnyard Cheese Shop will return with Barnyard Express on Avenue B

Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy

Barnyard Cheese Shop is set for another encore on Avenue B.

Owner Beatriz Gutierrez confirmed that Barnyard Express is in the works featuring a full menu of her best-selling sandwiches and other items.

She plans to house the quick-serve establishment at the current Brix Wine Shop at 170 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. The wine store will move into the vacant retail space she leases next door, and the two storefronts will connect via a passthrough.

Gutierrez gave this concept a test run for several months in a limited capacity on weekends starting in December 2021. It did well enough for her to consider reviving Barnyard Express.

The original Barnyard Cheese Shop closed in October 2021 at 168 Avenue B. (The business dates to 2008 on Ninth and C, with a 2016 opening on Avenue B.) Like other food service establishments at the time, Gutierrez said she was having difficulty finding kitchen help. Victor, her longtime cook, lost his brother during the pandemic ... and he returned home to be with family in Mexico.

We'll provide an update as work continues on the new Barnyard Express in the months ahead.

The former Barnyard Cheese Shop is for rent on Avenue B

Unfortunately, the Barnyard Cheese Shop's Barnyard Express experiment didn't last.

In early December, Beatriz Gutierrez decided to reopen her popular sandwich shop/market for weekend-only service at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. It was done by the end of January. 

This past week, the smaller for-rent sign on the storefront was joined by a much-larger banner.

Barnyard closed in October after Gutierrez could not find someone to helm her kitchen. Her longtime cook, who lost a brother during the pandemic, left to be with his family in Mexico. 

Barnyard Cheese Shop's companion business next door, Brix Wines, remains open.

Barnyard Cheese Shop making a return as Barnyard Express with weekend-only service

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

After an October closure, Beatriz Gutierrez is rebooting Barnyard Cheese Shop at 168 Avenue B. 

Starting today, Gutierrez will be operating Barnyard Express from the storefront between 10th Street and 11th Street.

Barnyard Express will have a limited menu featuring the six best-selling sandwiches from the original menu (including the Mexican-Cuban with slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss, avocado, pickled jalapenos, dill pickles and mayo, and the Barnyard Classic with eggs, thick-cut bacon and a farmhouse cheddar). There will also be two vegetarian options in the sandwich mix. 

Other items include soup and dessert. (There are rumors of the return of the crowd-pleasing lemon bars.) For now, there aren't any salads or sides. 

Also new: Online ordering. (Use this link.) Starting today, patrons can order online and then come and pick it up. No delivery. 

Hours: Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with the possibility of expanding as time goes on. 

Gutierrez said that so many people asked her to reopen, she decided to bring Barnyard back in a limited capacity. 

"I feel a huge responsibility ... Food is everything to me," she said. "I am excited, but this is daunting —will people come back?" 

She closed in October after being unable to find someone to helm her kitchen. Victor, her longtime cook, lost his brother during the pandemic. Victor returned home this fall to be with his family in Mexico.

So moving forward, Gutierrez will be doing the cooking. Her cousin and goddaughter, longtime counterperson Diana Chain (below left), will be working the front of the house...

A farewell to Barnyard Cheese Shop

Photos by Stacie Joy 

Barnyard Cheese Shop closed after service Friday evening at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

As we first reported, owner Beatriz Gutierrez (pictured above) was, despite repeated efforts, unable to find someone to replace Victor, who helmed the kitchen here for years. Victor, who lost his brother to COVID-19, is returning to be with family in Mexico. 

Yesterday, family members, longtime regulars and staff (including Michael in the photo below) gathered to say goodbye to Barnyard...

Several bands, part of a HONK NYC! performance, were also playing right outside along the Open Street of Avenue B...

Barnyard Cheese Shop is closing for good tomorrow

Photos yesterday by Stacie Joy

Tomorrow is the last day in business for Barnyard Cheese Shop at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street. 

Owner Beatriz Gutierrez confirmed the news (H/T Elsie) to EVG contributor Stacie Joy. 

Gutierrez said Victor, her longtime cook, suffered a loss during the pandemic — his brother died. Victor wants and needs to return home to be with his family in Mexico.

Gutierrez said that she has repeatedly tried to find kitchen staff but can't, so she is forced to close Barnyard. She stressed that this is not a lack-of-business issue — it's wholly staffing-related. 

She has a lease on the space until the end of November and may do some catering here. Gutierrez also said she may hold on to the storefront for another venture in the future, though she isn't sure right at this moment.

Barnyard, which offers cheeses, cured meats, salads and delicious specialty sandwiches, first opened in 2008 on Ninth Street and Avenue C ... moving to its current location in late 2016.

Her companion shop next door, Brix Wines, will remain open. 

Previously on EV Grieve: 

• A Visit to Brix Wines and Barnyard Cheese Shop on Avenue B

A Visit to Brix Wines and Barnyard Cheese Shop on Avenue B

Text and photos by Stacie Joy

During my recent visit to sister shops Brix Wine and Barnyard Cheese, several neighbors dropped by to tell owner Beatriz Gutierrez how pleased they were that the longtime businesses were still up and running to serve the East Village.

In February, Barnyard temporarily closed on Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street with a rather cryptic note for patrons. However, the shop reopened in April — at the same time, Brix moved one storefront to the north, leaving a vacant space between the two businesses. 

Gutierrez told me more about the temporary closure, plans for the storefront that now separates Barnyard and Brix, and her deep appreciation for her customers. 

There’s been a lot of change in your shops recently. Can you explain what happened with the temporary closure, the moving of locations, and what you plan to do with the new space in the middle?

Barnyard's temporary closure allowed us to rethink the layout in anticipation of the city and state's capacity guidelines. We desperately needed to have people come into the store since most of what we offer is visual — the cheeses, jams, fresh bread, house-made prepacked foods, etc. We were able to do that, and it seems to be working. 

As for Brix, the closure of Barnyard gave us the time to move the wine shop to the space next door, which is bigger and provided space to carry and store more inventory. It was a blessing in disguise. 

The middle space — still in the conception stage — will be an extension of both Brix and Barnyard. A sort of Adult Learning Center, if you will, where we plan to have tastings, culinary classes, advanced and specialized wine seminars, cheese school, and private gatherings.  

How do you see the local economy shaping up as we continue to move into a recovery phase from the pandemic?

I see a better tomorrow for everyone. Although we are still recovering from more than a year of hardship caused by the pandemic, we managed to survive, and since reopening, the East Village has come back to support us and a collective sigh of relief has been breathed by everyone. 

The support, gratitude, and well wishes have been overwhelming and so appreciated. We are grateful to everyone who came back through our doors. 

As a small-business owner, what were some of the lessons learned from the pandemic?

So many things have been learned, but I’d say the top three are: Never give up. You have a purpose. Loyalty is everything. 

What do you have to say about your regulars and other patrons these past 15-plus months?

I'd have to say that they are the most supportive and wonderful customers a small business could hope for. We are able to exist because of them. We strive to create a place that provides something useful, serves it with pride and a good attitude, and make a visit something they can count on in the future.

I really believe our customers get that at Brix and Barnyard. They have come back and continue to do so. I can't thank our neighbors enough for sticking by us.  

What's next for the shops?

What's next is the middle store. It has to be something that enhances the neighborhood and fills a void. What do we need? Stay tuned.

Barnyard Cheese is at 168 Avenue B and Brix Wines is at 170 Avenue B. 

Barnyard hours:

Monday — Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Brix hours:

Sunday — Thursday: Noon to 8 p.m; until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

Barnyard Cheese Shop returns; Brix Wines moves a storefront away

Barnyard Cheese Shop reopened on Saturday at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street... (thanks to Vinny & O for the photos and Laura for the tip!)...

The popular cheesemonger and sandwich shop closed on Feb. 19 for a temporary break. 

In an email at the time, owner Beatriz Gutierrez told me that it had "been an exhausting year." She continued: "[B]ut I know that a lot of folks look to us, literally, for their daily bread and I knew it would be a shock to see us closed. But I also know that closing Barnyard, for at least now, was the right thing to do. I am working hard at finding the best way to reopen and also stay safe, relevant, and of course, solvent as a business at a time when so many other businesses are not able to do so."

Meanwhile, Brix Wines, her sister shop right next door, moved one storefront to the north...

... to the former Rue St. Denis space...

Barnyard is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Brix Wines is open daily from noon to 8 p.m., to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Thanks to Steven for the second Brix shot...

Barnyard Cheese Shop is closed until further notice on Avenue B

We've heard from a handful of concerned readers going back to Friday... when news circulated that the Barnyard Cheese Shop had temporarily closed.

The popular cheesemonger and sandwich shop at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street had been open through most of the pandemic, most recently selling from a to-go window and offering curbside seating. 

The readers cited the letter for patrons taped to the gate... two of the readers described the initial passage as "mysterious" ... 

The letter reads in part...

It is not without consideration or careful thought that we inform you that due to circumstances not under our control, Barnyard will be closed from now until further notice. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this neighborhood and we are grateful to all of you who have made us part of your daily lives. We have never taken it for granted and have loved being here to nourish you, comfort you, and be a pillar for you to lean on when needed.  

The rather ominous lead-in gave some readers the impression that there might be a landlord/rent-related issue... or perhaps something to do with Con Ed and the gas service. 

However, the second paragraph sounds as if there may be a pandemic-related health issue ...

The decision to close is unfortunate, but there is not doubt that it needs to be done. It is in your best interest and in the best interest of our supporting staff that we closed until we are 100% certain that to reopen is safe and will not be a risk to anyone.

The letter, signed by owner Beatriz Gutierrez, ends on an optimistic tone...  

... thank you for your loyal support and for understanding our decision. It has been a grueling year and we have been through a lot together. We move forward always. It takes a village!

We reached out to learn more... and to offer best wishes to the Barnyard staff.  

Brix Wines, the sister shop of Barnyard, remains open next door. (H/T Salim!)

Updated 2/22

In a follow-up note, Gutierrez told me the following:

The sign I ended up posting was difficult to write but I felt I needed to write something.  It's been an exhausting year but I know that a lot of folks look to us, literally, for their daily bread and I knew it would be a shock to see us closed. But I also know that closing Barnyard, for at least now, was the right thing to do. I am working hard at finding the best way to reopen and also stay safe, relevant, and of course, solvent as a business at a time when so many other businesses are not able to do so.  

It's a challenge and as I mentioned in the note I left, it takes a village. I have nothing but fondness for the people who have supported us for 13 years and hope to be able to continue to be there for them.