By Lisa Carolin
The City of Chelsea is now the home of a cheese and charcuterie store called Main Street Provisions.
The store’s ribbon cutting took place on Feb. 26 at its 114 N. Main St., Suite 6 location in downtown Chelsea.
Vanessa and Phil Coulson are the owners of Main Street Provisions, which is located between Withington’s and Agricole.
“We had a food truck called Sanich Union from 2021-2022, which operated in and around Chelsea” said Vanessa Coulson. “We would do a pop-up breakfast inside Agricole every Sunday.”
The couple was then approached by Robin Hills Farm to head The Nest Cocktail Bar & Kitchen, which they did until September of 2024.
“We are two chefs who have knowledge and a passion for food and appreciation for food artisans and their craft,” said Vanessa Coulson. “While cheese and charcuterie may seem expensive, there is a reason behind it. Being a dairy farmer is tough work. We know the backgrounds of all the creameries and places that produce the perishable products we carry.”
The couple has curated Main Street Provisions’ cheese and charcuterie list from all over the world. Although they miss cooking, they say selling these products is their second love.
“With the exception of Zingerman’s, there is no place around that you can get what we are carrying,” said Vanessa Coulson. “As we are both chefs, we are able to talk to our customers about food and wine pairings as well as answer questions about dishes they are cooking.”
Their cheeses and meats come primarily from the U.S. and Europe, and the provisions come from everywhere from Michigan to Oregon, and Spain to Greece.
What do the Coulsons most look forward to with their new business?
“We are looking forward to fitting into the Chelsea community whenever possible,” said Vanessa Coulson. “We want to help support the local businesses around us so we all can thrive.”
