Cheese shop owners buy out partners

Cheese shop owners buy out partners

Courtesy Aperitivo

A Downtown Market business has made changes to its ownership team and management.

Aperitivo, a cheese and charcuterie retailer with a wine and beer bar, is owned by Amy Ruis and Steve Ruis and managed by Evan Talen, as of mid-February.

The Ruises opened the business five years ago with Bill Leeder and Kate Leeder. The Ruises bought out the share from the Leeders when they decided to “take life in a different direction,” Amy Ruis said.

“Kate was an amazing partner,” she said. “She put her all in for five years.”

Before opening Aperitivo, Kate Leeder worked with Amy Ruis at the other business she owns with her husband, Art of the Table, a specialty gourmet food shop in Grand Rapids.

Talen is stepping into Kate Leeder’s former role as general manager of Aperitivo.

He has been working for the business for three years and is a certified cheese professional, awarded by the American Cheese Society.