New grilled cheese sandwich shop offering ‘feed-it-forward’ program for those in need

Customers can buy a $5 sandwich at Cheese Louise on Whyte Avenue to place a sticker for someone in need to use for a free sandwich at the shop.

A new grilled cheese sandwich shop off Whyte Avenue is looking to feed more than just paying customers with a pay-it-forward program.

Cheese Louise opened on Gateway Boulevard last Wednesday, selling gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.

For a discounted price of $5, customers can buy an “OG” grilled cheese off the menu and staff will place a sticker on a board that indicates one is available for anyone needing a free meal.

“(The city has) kitchens, and food banks, but having a restaurant where you can actually come up and be served a meal, a sit-down area … it’s super important to me,” said shop owner Shel Byer.

He says they’ve sold more than 50 sandwiches in the program in the first week alone.

“We’re hoping to beat that number each week and have an everlasting supply of food for anyone who ever needs it,” he said on Wednesday.

While they do try to keep sandwiches for those who need them most, staff has a no-questions-asked policy so far.

“You can’t put a price on that kind of kindness,” Byer said. “The values that I instill in the business means more to me than money.

“It would be amazing if other businesses would start taking this approach … I get times are hard right now, but hopefully people can think of a way to make it work. Until then, Cheese Louise is here, and we have sandwiches for you.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Brandon Lynch