As the manager of The Olive Scene, Michelle King said she likes to educate her customers about the wide variety of olive oils and vinegars that the store has to offer.
The Olive Scene is located at 5512 Liberty Ave. in Vermilion.
When the store is open, King admits she likes to offer customers a chance to experience some of the products.
She said she gives them samples to taste and explains the health benefits of the olive oils and vinegars.
Tracy Lockhart mixing some of the ingredients at The Olive Scene in Vermilion. Lockhart is general manager for The Olive Scene locations in Vermilion, Rocky River and Chagrin Falls. (Bob Stascak – For The Morning Journal)
“We want to make sure that the customers have a wonderful shopping experience at The Olive Scene,” King said.
The Olive Scene touts itself as a distinctive venue to hold get-togethers or parties and provide a fun location for after-hours private tastings and social fun.
During an event, King and her staff will give guests the opportunity to try over 50 varieties of oil and vinegar.
King will mix and match them to create a personal favorite.
An event also will include a demonstration on the art of tasting oils.
Tracy Lockhart is the general manager of The Olive Oil and one of the owners along with Lisa McCormick.
“Tracy is the brains behind the business and is very knowledgeable about the products, as she handles the ordering of the newest products,” King said.
Tracy Lockhart, general manager of The Olive Scene in Vermilion, points to some of the olive oils and vinegars at the store. (Bob Stascak – For The Morning Journal)
The Olive Scene has a warehouse in Lorain, which is where Lockhart works from.
It also has locations at 19132 Old Detroit Road in Rocky River, and 100 N. Main St., Suite 145, in Chagrin Falls.
Lockhart said the first store to open was in Rocky River after she noticed that there were no specialty food stores on the west side of Cleveland.
The olive oil industry in the United States seemed to be lacking in quality and variety, she said.
“This venture was a risk,” Lockhart said. “It was a new concept, and it was a good concept.
“It was something that was needed in the U.S. market.”
The Vermilion location was the next to open when the real estate became available in 2013, Lockhart said.
“The Vermilion location is a great fit because the downtown area is a walking district where people can explore and taste the different varieties offered before buying,” she said.
For Lockhart, a typical day is spent working behind the scenes as the general manager.
Lockhart said she makes sure that everything is organized and plans and sets the direction for all three stores, as well as providing the highest quality merchandise to meet the needs of customers.
On the job
Each week in The Morning Journal we’ll meet someone from across Lorain County “on the job” and get to know a little bit about them. Got a suggestion for someone we should meet? Email news@morningjournal.com.