From Humble Beginnings, Birdie's Pimento Cheese Has Grown Into One Of The Most Iconic Small Businesses In Virginia
By Courtnie Erickson|Published May 10, 2024
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
It all started with a simple tub of pimento cheese. From there, Birdie’s Pimento Cheese has grown to become one of the best and most iconic small businesses in Virginia. Located in South Hill, this unique business is home to delicious pimento cheese made in small batches and a variety of delicious flavors. From classic to spicy, Birdie’s cheeses a treat where just a single spoonful won’t be enough.
Interested to learn about other unique American small businesses? Our 2024 Small Business Spotlight series highlights the often-overlooked work of small business owners across the country, from Maine to Southern California.
Birdie’s Pimento Cheese is not your typical small business, nor is its story. It all began with Robin (Birdie) Allen's passion for her community.
When South Hill became a "Start-up Virginia Main Street" and formed a Revitalization committee, Birdie was an early volunteer. At the top of the committee’s to-do list was to form a farmers market to improve the visual and financial health of the downtown.
And Birdie’s husband wanted to become a vendor. He began by growing cabbages; their hound dog, Day-Z, thought it was an excellent idea. However, Day-Z would go on to tear the cabbages right out of the ground. So, with little success in the cabbage business, Birdie had the idea to make pimento cheese.
“Being the entrepreneur types that we are, we started thinking on names and getting the right paperwork in place,” she said. “July 2014, off we go to the farmers market. We had 30 eight-ounce units of Jalapeño, Garlic Parmesan, and Cream Cheese and Black Pepper. We sold out! I was exhilarated.”
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The farmers market was a terrific place to start the business. “While it was still a hobby, folks would ask, 'When do you find the time to do this too?' I always said that I found it relaxing. I did and still do,” she said.
Over the years, Birdie’s Pimento Cheese has grown to include a variety of flavors including classic, cream cheese and black pepper, smoked gouda and roasted red pepper, and so much more.
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There are also seasonal flavors throughout the year that you will want to try…
Birdie’s Pimento Cheese is sold at various retailers throughout the country and online. While Birdie is certainly making a name for herself, she celebrates both her small business successes and failures.
"Success and failure are two sides of the same coin," she believes. "Rudyard Kipling tells us to treat both as imposters, neither telling the whole story."
"Embracing this concept gives me the confidence I need to move Birdie’s Pimento Cheese forward. When setting goals for Birdie’s Pimento Cheese, we have sales goals, sure, but in my core, I want us to be able to show up for people. My team is incredible! I want to build a work experience for them that is both rewarding and satisfying. I want the retailers that add our pimento cheese to their deli case to have confidence that I’ll support them. I want our fans to know when they open a tub of Birdie’s that they are going to be delighted."
“I believe a locally grown business can have a bigger impact on a community than anything else. I want to be the 50+ woman that shows wealth can be built in Southern Virginia, by Southern Virginia."
Many thanks to Birdie Pimento Cheese President Robin (Birdie) Allen for sharing the story of this delightful (and delicious) small business in Old Dominion. Learn more and support this iconic Virginia business by visiting Birdie’s Pimento Cheese website and Birdie’s Pimento Cheese Facebook page.
Of course, Birdie’s Pimento Cheese is only one of the many amazing businesses in Virginia that’s doing great things in the state. If you have another business you’d like to see profiled on Only In Virginia, please nominate them for a chance to be featured. And be sure to follow Only In Virginia on Facebook and Instagram to stay in the know on the state’s events, restaurants, local businesses, and hidden gems.
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