Our Story: A Little Shop, a Love of Cooking, and a Tribute to My Dad
Before there was The Little Shop of Olive Oils, there was my Dad’s kitchen.
Growing up, I didn’t realize how much love went into the meals he made for our family. I just knew that every night, we gathered around the table and something wonderful was waiting.
My Mom had an illness that gradually made it harder for her to cook. As her abilities changed, Dad stepped in. They worked side by side—Mom sharing her knowledge and guiding him, Dad experimenting and discovering flavors he loved. What began as a way to help became a passion.
Cooking gave them time together. It gave Dad a way to unwind after work while caring for Mom and raising three kids. And it gave all of us a place to come together at the end of the day.
I wish I had understood then what I understand now: those dinners were one of the many ways he took care of us.
Years later, a family trip to Kennebunkport, Maine, planted the seed for our Little Shop. Mike and I wandered into an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting shop and discovered just how much flavor a beautiful olive oil or balsamic could bring to food.
After years spent working in large corporations, we had been thinking about a change. That visit sparked an idea, but when I imagined what our own shop could become, my thoughts kept returning to Dad—the joy he found in cooking, his curiosity in the kitchen, and the meals that brought our family together.
So Mike and I took a leap of faith—or, as we like to say, went “off the cliff” together. 😊
The Little Shop of Olive Oils became our way of sharing that love of food and carrying a little of my Dad forward.
Dad passed away a few years ago, but there’s a piece of him in every part of our story—and a small tribute tucked into our logo.
When we were driving, one of his favorite sayings was, “All right on the right.” It was his way of letting us know it was safe to go. Over time, those words came to mean something more to me: Dad was looking out for us. Everything would be all right.
Look closely at our logo and you’ll find an “OK” hidden inside the olive. It’s our quiet nod to him and that familiar feeling of being cared for.
From the beginning, this has been a family business. Mike built much of what you see in the shop. Our three sons—Mike, Matt, and Sean—have helped along the way, together with my sister Peggy, my brother John, and so many others who have supported this little dream.
Today, our shop in Franklin, Massachusetts, is filled with extra virgin olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, spices, specialty foods, and thoughtfully curated gifts. Every tasting is a chance to discover something delicious and imagine what you might make at home.
My hope is that something you find here inspires a meal, a little experimenting, or a reason to gather your favorite people around the table.
That’s what Dad gave us. And it’s what we hope to share with you.
A little flavor. A little love. And a reminder that everything is OK.
With love,
Mike & Tracey