Meet Jamin (JAY-min) and Sarai Solomon, the owners of the brand new Graze Craze, a franchise that makes and sells charcuterie boards and boxes. Do not mistake these for fast food, the ingredients — the fruit, vegetables, dips, cheeses, meats and sweets — are mostly handmade and hand sliced. These boards are special. And convenient.

“Charcuterie is obviously not unique but having an actual brick and mortar storefront, people can come in, they don’t have to order a large minimum,” Jamin said.

Graze Craze is tucked away in a corner near Bashas in the Cortaro Plaza. Step inside. The retail space in front is small but the back can be buzzing with activity. Sarai works the front of the house but she is also a practiced hand in the kitchen. 

She washes her hands in preparation for handling all the food, which she does with great care. She gently dries the carrots, cucumbers, grapes and strawberries before placing them on a paper towel and weighing them so she can get the correct amount onto the board or box. Following a picture the franchise has provided, she lovingly slices goat cheese, places those in their spot on the board, she drizzles honey on the cheese and finally sprinkles it with crumbled pistachio nuts. 

Meanwhile, Jamin slices the meats — in this case, salami, prosciutto and capocollo — because cold cuts that have been sliced too early dry out. He takes the slices and carefully folds them so they don’t break or tear and then nestles them into their spots in the box.

Finally, when the picnic box is all put together and the lid closed, Sarai ties it up with a string and adds a small set of bamboo tongs and a couple of bamboo spreaders.  

It is a beautiful thing, worthy of taking on a date with someone you are trying to impress.

Picnic Box Gone Grazey for three or four: $55.

Of course, the picnic box is just one size that can be had. Get the Grab and Graze, a small box meant for one, $15. You can go even smaller with the Char-Cutie-Cup. This one features a bit of meat and cheese, some crackers and berries: $9. Boards can go bigger, too, all the way up to catering for large gatherings and corporate events. A large board which comfortably feeds up to 20 guests is $185.

There are also several varieties of boards. There are vegetarian, dessert and keto boards. There are brunch boards and wine pairing boards. And then there’s the board most of us know with meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables.

Both the Solomons are Tucson natives and Jamin is an Air Force veteran. Part of preparing to leave the military was figuring out what to do next. They knew they wanted to work for themselves. They went to Vetrepreneur, a business that helps veterans connect to a franchise. Then it happened quickly. Seven months after they made the decision to buy in they opened their doors. For them, that was Memorial Day.

Business has been good.

“We’ve not had a day go by without an order,” Sarai said.

A big part of that is her emotional investment in her product.

“I love to cook,” she said. “Love it. … I love to handle food.”

One of the big advantages to Graze Craze, Jamin said, is convenience, first with a storefront but also that there is no minimum order.

“We’re here already,” he said. “We have the stuff. You can come in and buy a little $10 cup and we’re happy to make it.”