Old World Olive Press celebrates 4th store opening Dec 16th

Friday, Dec. 16 at 12 noon retailer Old World Olive Press is celebrating the opening of its fourth store in downtown Grand Rapids. Owners Shasta Fase and Cory Delong will be hosting a sampling party and ribbon cutting officiated by City Commissioner Ruth Kelly.

What if you could have olive oil a whole year fresher upon purchase? Entrepreneurs Shasta and Cory have succeeded by following the seasons in both the northern and southern hemispheres and working directly with olive tree growers in Tunisia, Italy, and France to make this possible. And successful they are; this is the fourth store to open in two years and will be considered the company’s flagship store.

The store will carry 50 different flavors of olive oils, all sporting a certificate of analysis, some of which have won national and international awards. And then there are the 26 vinegars.  When purchasing here, one does not have to guess what one would like, for sampling is part of the shopping experience and the route to discovery.  For example, try pairing Persian lime olive oil with pear & cranberry vinegar; or garlic olive oil with golden pineapple vinegar; or mushroom & sage olive oil… Seasonings, rubs, and tapenades are also available.

The entrepreneurs’ main goal is to help people enjoy good, healthy food that can be prepared at home. 

A special kitchen will allow visiting chefs to demonstrate techniques of cooking what is most popularly known as the Mediterranean style diet. Shasta and Corey like to refer to it more as a lifestyle. Old World Olive Press is excited to already be working with some of the surrounding restaurants, and will be hosting various parties and receptions at the new location.

Founded in 2009 in Rockford, Michigan, two more stores opened in Plymouth and Birmingham, Michigan in 2010. When talking about their new location in the heart of downtown in the Flatiron Building, Shasta said, “It gives us chills. We recognize the importance of food here in the Grand Rapids area, and see this as a great opportunity to root ourselves in the community.” 

Cooking, health, and nutrition have been a passion for Shasta and Cory, and along with their team,

they are excited to educate consumers at whatever level desired, from talking about free fatty acids to polyphenols. There is an important science to olive oil—as well as great taste.