There are few things more comforting on a cool Georgian Bay evening than settling into a warm, softly lit room with good company and a table full of cheese. This month, the Wander North crew made our way to Dags & Willow Fine Cheese and Gourmet Shop in downtown Collingwood—an iconic local spot known for its extraordinary cheese selection—to experience one of their monthly Cheese Club gatherings.
It didn’t take long for us to understand why these evenings have become a beloved ritual for food lovers.
A Warm Welcome in The Willow Room
Up the stairs, above the shop, the Willow Room feels like stepping into a luxurious hideaway. Its jazz-club ambiance—soft lighting, dark wood, and a relaxed elegance—invites you to sink in, slow down, and stay awhile. It’s intimate in the best way. Warm, personal, and the kind of place where conversation flows as easily as the wine.
Owners Tammy Beauchamp and Scott Irvine designed the Willow Room to feel “as welcoming as your own living room,” and it shows. It’s a space meant to be lived in: by small wedding parties, by families celebrating milestones, and, of course, by locals and visitors looking to deepen their love of cheese.
Cheese Club: A Delicious Little Adventure
On the second Tuesday evening of each month, the Willow Room opens its doors for Cheese Club. The atmosphere is unpretentious, the vibe is friendly, and the cheese… Well, let’s just say there’s a reason Dags & Willow is known as the place to go for gourmet cheese in Collingwood.
The night is led by Head Cheese Monger Cassidy Sturch, who has an almost effortless way of making you feel both informed and at home. Cassidy oversees cheese buying for the shop, manages wholesale, plans events, and handles marketing—and yet somehow manages to bring a sense of lightness and joy to the room. She’s knowledgeable, personable, and the kind of guide who can talk about washed rinds and alpine wheels with equal parts expertise and humour.
Throughout the evening, we tasted cheeses that were as intriguing as they were delicious, with histories and quirks we’d never heard before. Cassidy walked us through each one: how they’re made, how to serve them, what to pair with them, and what makes them special. The crowd was relaxed, curious, and engaged. By the end of the night, new friends had been made across the table.
It felt like the best kind of community moment—low-key, informative, and just plain enjoyable.
Inside the Shop: A Collingwood Classic
Of course, no visit to Dags & Willow is complete without a wander through the shop, where the cheese case alone is something to marvel at. At any given time, more than 150 varieties are on display, pulled from a larger catalogue of over 2,000 cheeses they can access from around the world.
Beyond cheese, you’ll find a thoughtfully curated selection of gourmet items. Fresh and frozen prepared foods, house-made sides and mains, unique pantry staples, even a tucked-away wine cellar stocked with consignment bottles.
A Space Worth Knowing
The Willow Room is quickly becoming one of Collingwood’s most versatile gathering spaces. With seating for 14 at its harvest table and room for 30–40 at standup gatherings, it’s a natural fit for:
- Micro weddings
- Seasonal and holiday parties
- Off-site meetings and corporate retreats
- Workshops and client presentations
- Group tastings and artisan experiences
- Music nights, art shows, and creative events
- Family celebrations
They serve wine, beer, cocktails, and a selection of spirits. And, if your favourite bottle isn’t already in the cellar, the team will happily bring it in.
Worth a Visit—And Worth Coming Back For
Between the shop’s unmatched selection of artisan cheeses and the Willow Room’s charm, Dags & Willow has carved out something special in downtown Collingwood. The Cheese Club is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening in the region: part tasting, part storytelling, part gathering.
With more cheesy nights ahead, it’s well worth grabbing a friend and settling in for a delicious escape.
Explore upcoming events or book the Willow Room at dagsandwillow.ca.
Photography: Town + County Collective