Page 22 - SLO Visitors Guide - Fall 2024

22 FALL 2024 slovisitorsguide.com
San Luis Obispo
www.VetMuseum.org
Tours - Exhibits - Artifacts - Uniforms - Veteran Stories
801 Grand Avenue, Suite 102
*Entrance doors at back of brick buildling*
Central Coast Veterans Museum
History Museum in San Luis Obispo, est. 2002
Museum Hours: Wed - Sat • 10am - 3pm
Come Explore The Museum!
Volunteers Needed | 501c3 non-profit org
Come sample, savor, and shop at SLO Olive
Walking into SLO Olive is like
visiting a charming shop in
Tuscany. Its dark wood accents, rock
wall, and rows of local olive oils and
Modena balsamic vinegar exude
welcoming Old World vibes.
Jim Helser purchased the shop
in late 2023 from the previous
owner, Ray Russell. Five years after
retiring from 28 years as co-owner
of a cycling clothing manufacturer,
Helser jumped back into the work-
ing world.
“I've always dreamed of having
a gourmet boutique,” Helser said. “I
was a customer before becoming the
owner and loved everything about
this place. When Ray decided to
retire, it all worked out. I have a pas-
sion for this, and just really enjoy it.”
Armed with a background in
marketing and online sales, Helser
revamped the store’s website and
social media and launched newslet-
ters filled with recipes, industry
Featuring products
for the everyday
gourmet
news, and product information.
It didn’t take long for the word to
spread about new selections of local
extra virgin olive oils (EVOO),
Italian balsamic vinegar, and an
expanded selection of kitchen and
personal products.
“The customers loved Ray, and
he did a great job of setting this
shop up for success,” Helser said. “I
continue to build on what he start-
ed while adding my personal touch
and introducing new products.”
The shop’s tagline, “SLO Olive,
for the Everyday Gourmet” is
featured on all of Helser’s merchan-
dise, emphasizing that one does
not have to be an expert to use and
appreciate specialty olive oil. His
personal favorites include the Koro-
neiki EVOO and the Italian Blend
BearBird EVOO.
Local California EVOO and
Italian balsamic vinegars
Since taking ownership, Helser
has reached out to olive oil produc-
ers in North SLO County, including
Paso Robles and San Miguel.
“There are so many small
ranches producing amazing olive
oils,” he said. “There are all these
wonderful products that are gold
medal winners. The climate here
stresses the trees and they produce
a more robust fruit. That's some-
thing that everybody in the world
of olive oil wants.”
Everyone entering SLO Olive
can expect to be greeted by Helser
or one of his staff and learn more
about the oils and other products
they carry.
“It's really important for me to
greet each visitor, pour samples for
them, describe what they're getting,
and where the product is from,” he
said. “I mean, that's the most fun
part!”
“It's very different here, but the
only way they know that is when
I walk them through everything,”
he said. “I love talking about the
origin of each product and letting
customers know this is local, or this
one is a gold medal winner. They
walk away with a big appreciation
of what this is all about.”
Helser relies on multiple
California importers for balsamic
vinegar from the Modena region
of Italy. His signature balsamic,
the Reserve Aged, is the store’s
top-selling product. Helser says
even if customers didn't come in
for balsamic, 90% of the time they'll
walk out with the Reserve Aged.
Refills, gifts, and more
Never run out of your favorite
olive oil or balsamic! Bring in those
empty SLO Olive bottles to be
refilled at a discounted price. Find
a variety of gifts for every occasion,
including sample sets, and duo
and trio 250 ml. sets. Future plans
include adding local meats and
cheeses and a second location on
the coast.
Be sure to check out the mouth-
watering recipes on the website
such as Grilled Huli Huli Chicken,
Balsamic Glazed Scallops, Jalapeno
and Pineapple Grilled Shrimp, and
Garlic Herb Focaccia Bread.
SLO Olive is located at 958
Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo.
Open Monday through Saturday,
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m., and until 9 p.m. during
Thursday Night SLO Farmers’
Market. For more information visit
sloolive.com, call (805) 439-2455,
or follow them on Facebook and
Instagram.
—Meagan Friberg
Never run out of your favorite olive oil or balsamic vinegar.