Article

Essential Oils

By staff February 1, 2006

The epicenter of the blossoming Rosemary District has moved off Central to Fifth Street, where architects mix with Ringling students and cool octogenarians who demand good coffee, strong conversation-and upscale extra-virgin.

After Kelly and Bill Kary opened the Sarasota Olive Oil Company in 2004 on Central Avenue, they often went for java at Sarasota Coffee & Tea around the corner. They liked the space so much that they moved their olive oil business there last May. To make room for their 73 varieties of olive oil, Kelly and Bill opened up the room, adding tables and Wi-Fi as well as an Italian-inspired lunch to the menu. And they still serve their customers great coffee roasted by the former Sarasota Coffee & Tea folks.

"Our success is our interaction with our customers, who can sample just about 98 percent in the store before they purchase it," says Kelly. The space also acts as ground zero for the Rosemary District's street festivals, which close off Fifth Street to make room for merrymaking.

Sarasota Olive Oil Company, 1419 Fifth St., Rosemary District. (941) 366-2008. Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

 

Filed under
Share
Show Comments