From stockroom chaos to a charcuterie-ready workshop
What the client wanted
Walk into Graydon’s Cheese Cellar in Ambleside, West Vancouver, and tasty temptation is everywhere you look. The “fun, no-pretense cheese shop and charcuterie bar” was beautifully merchandised, casual, and inviting, but owner Kim Graydon wanted her back-of-house to function as smoothly as the retail floor. The existing stockroom was cluttered and inefficient, with jars, boxes, bags, paperwork, and a laptop all competing for limited space. She needed storage sized precisely for her inventory, a space to prep charcuterie boards, and a compact workstation for daily admin — without sacrificing valuable floor space.
So Kim reached out to California Closets Vancouver for an expert solution.
“I need to be able to find a jar of fig spread in under five seconds, set up a charcuterie board, and answer an email — all in the same ten square feet.”
How California Closets designed it
Working with design consultant Ilona Beed, they collaborated on every detail to create a floor-to-ceiling custom, flexible shelving system to accommodate the shop’s constantly changing inventory. Adjustable shelf heights leave room for evolving storage needs. A fold-down work surface is integrated directly into the cabinetry, providing a prep station or laptop desk that disappears when not in use. A durable, commercial-ready finish can withstand daily use while still feeling warm and polished. Every design decision reflects how the team actually moves through a shift.
“The best projects are the specific ones — when design responds directly to how someone works, the space stops being noticed because it just flows.”
Final result
The finished pantry has transformed the way Graydon’s Cheese Cellar operates day-to-day. Inventory is easier to restock and access, workflows are faster, and the back-of-house now reflects the same level of care as the retail space. The fold-down workstation provides a second functional work area without consuming floor space. What was once an overworked, cluttered stockroom is now a streamlined commercial pantry designed to support the daily rhythm of a specialty cheese shop — efficient, flexible, and beautifully considered.
