When Virginia and Kevin Calhoun began their search for a franchise business to own, they were living in Tulsa, then Denver. They liked We Olive, a California-based business specializing in small batch olive oils, uniquely flavored balsamic vinegars, specialty wines, gifts and menu items with stores in Austin, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Pasadena and several other large cities.
“They were not excited,” Virginia said of the owner’s response to a We Olive in Tulsa, population, roughly 400,000. “Tulsa was too small a market for them.”
When the Calhouns decided to return home to family and friends in Shreveport, the goal of opening a We Olive seemed tougher still. “They were not excited because Shreveport was even smaller than Tulsa,” said Virginia.
By then, though, the Calhouns had formed a good relationship with the franchiser, who reluctantly allowed the Shreveport store located at 6535 Youree Dr. in the Shoppes at Bellmead to move forward. What happened then surprised them all.
Diners sit outside on the patio at We Olive & Wine Bar in Shreveport, La., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
By JILL PICKETT | Staff photographer
“Our opening day was bigger than any other location they had ever had,” Virginia said of the roughly 20 We Olive locations in cities ten times larger than Shreveport. “And since then, all of them have closed except for 5 in California and the 2 that we have in North Louisiana.”
Calhoun believes the overwhelming opening response was in large part due to community relationships they formed by living in northwest Louisiana for more than 50 years. Virginia, her husband, and their son Josh, who now manages the local We Olives, haven’t looked back.
In 2027, the Shreveport We Olive will celebrate its 10th anniversary. That same year, the Bossier shop at 2620 Beene Blvd. will celebrate its fifth year.
Diners sit at the bar at We Olive & Wine Bar in Shreveport, La., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
By JILL PICKETT | Staff photographer
While COVID restrictions on retail and restaurants and the move to online shopping spelled the end for many businesses, for Virginia, it showed a need to expand. It also showed the depth of their customer support.
“They would order their flatbreads and their bottle of wine and then they would take it out to the parking lot and back up their SUVs and lift up the tailgates so they could have their social time,” Virginia said of sales during COVID.
“And then we had the other guests that would come through and say things like ‘We’re going to make sure that you don’t have to go. I don’t care if I have to come here every day. We’re going to make sure that y’all do not close and y’all are still here after all of this.'”
A variety of items sit on display at We Olive & Wine Bar in Shreveport, La., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
By JILL PICKETT | Staff photographer
“We were just busting out the seams once the COVID restrictions went away. Everyone was coming in and getting out and doing things and it was just so busy in the Shreveport store. We needed to expand.”
That expansion took them to north Bossier in 2022, a store which has also been very successful.
Virginia’s son Josh lists the reasons for the local popularity.
“Everything on our menu is for sale,” from flatbreads and dips to olive oils and wine. “If customers decide that they love this specific flatbread or the specific dip, we sell everything to make it at home.”
He said their menu changes often and they have recently added a daily brunch menu. In addition, their wines rotate out every four or so months, so there is always something new.
We Olive Caprese and Spicy Chicken sandwiches with an appetizer of dates wrapped in prosciutto ham.
BY LIZ SWAINE | Staff writer
Their staff is outstanding and plays an important role in their success, he said. “Our staff has the ability to give us ideas, and we will put them in play. So, it really, it really makes them more of a part of the company than just being an employee.”
Josh is adamant that Virginia is a big part of the success. “I think Josh doesn’t give himself enough credit,” Virginia said in response. “The staff feels like a part of the team, and he does a great job with that.”
The wide range of We Olive
The Shreveport store will soon begin offering small production mixed liquor drinks in addition to wine, something their Bossier location already does, but they will be careful not to change the “feel” of the space. “We don’t want to change that it’s a tasting experience, that it’s a place where a single lady can come in by herself,” said Virginia.
A diner has a glass of wine at We Olive & Wine Bar in Shreveport, La., Thursday, March 19, 2026.
By JILL PICKETT | Staff photographer
The Shreveport store continues to be the number one We Olive in the chain and it is not hard to see the draw as Virginia talks about one of their refreshing sparkling waters flavored with strawberry balsamic vinegar and a popular chocolate strawberry balsamic mimosa.
Every business owner makes mistakes, and Virginia did, too. “I’m going to say my biggest mistake is to be open 7 days a week because I never get a break. But as far as the franchise, working with the franchise has been great.”
After 10 years, she still remembers the initial excitement and trepidation.
“We took all of our savings and all of our retirement. Everything is just put into this one venture. It’s a little bit of a love story with a little faith mixed in with it.”
Dining and Cooking