Cheesin' for a Reason supports Kismet Rock Foundation, Pope Library

CONWAY — By donating $4 for every monthly special sold in 2025, Cheese Louise raised over $40,000 across its three locations for their Cheesin' for a Reason organizations.

At the North Conway location alone, they raised $20,244 for Kismet Rock Foundation.

Kismet provides a diverse group of underserved youth from New England with a four-year rock climbing program scholarship.

For Kismet, the partnership highlights how powerful local business support can be for a small nonprofit. The unrestricted funds will directly support Kismet’s 2026 school year and summer programming. Cheese Louise staff gained a deeper understanding of Kismet’s work supporting students in the Mount Washington Valley, as well as across Maine and New Hampshire.

Inside the restaurant, Cheese Louise created a prominent display for Kismet featuring a large wooden logo, photos, and a concise mission statement. The display sparked conversations with customers and encouraged community members to learn more about Kismet and how to support its work.

The Cheesin' for a Reason program at Cheese Louise involves having each location's general manager selecting one non-profit to partner with for the whole year. That partnership entails fundraising through selling specials, but also food donations, events, in-shop promotion and more.

According to Kismet Rock Executive Director Katrina Meserve, "Kismet Rock Foundation is proud to have partnered with an organization whose mission centers around a team-first culture, ensuring all staff earn a livable wage, gain access to supportive benefits, and thrive in an environment where everyone is valued. The success of Cheese Louise reflects the strength of the Mount Washington Valley community, where local support, tasty food, and a purpose-driven business work together to uplift those who live here.

To learn more about the Kismet Rock Foundation and ways to get involved or donate, you can visit kismetrockfoundation.org.

The 2026 Cheesin' for a Reason partner in North Conway is Pope Memorial Library (formerly the North Conway Public Library).

Cheese Louise is a New England-based gourmet grilled cheese brand founded in 2018 in North Conway, by friends Bryce Harrison, James Gaudreault and Ian Lubkin.

Inspired by the film "Chef," they launched as a food truck before expanding to multiple brick-and-mortar locations in New Hampshire, Maine and Boston.

Those locations include North Conway (2686 South Main Street) and a food truck on Route 112 (the Kancamagus Highway) in Conway; a downtown spot in Portsmouth (76 Congress Street), and 363 Fore Street, Portland, Maine. A new location has recently opened at Boston's Hub Hall. 

For more information, go to eatcheeselouise.com.