Take a peek into Grovestone, a small shop in South Champaign that sells olive oil from their family’s olive groves in the Northeast side of the Peloponnese in Greece in addition to many other pantry goods.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
I stopped by to pick up another bottle of Grovestone’s balsamic vinegar reduction, but I was drawn to so many interesting products that I have to show you what’s all inside the pretty store.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
There is a wall of olive oils and balsamic vinegars, each with flavor-infused options. Grovestone’s olive oil is extracted under cold temperature pressing of olives, and because of the harvesting method, their olive oil has distinctive low acidity (oleic acid < 0.3%). The differently flavored olive oil had many options: bacon, basil, cranberry, blood orange, chocolate, garlic, lemon, lime, roasted onion, rosemary, and even, butter olive oil.
In addition to the flavored olive oil, Grovestone sells infused balsamic vinegars as well. Flavors range from dark chocolate to wild blueberry to black walnut. Both olive oil and balsamic vinegar bottles are sold in small ($6.95), medium ($17.95), and large ($28.95).
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Grovestone sells dry pasta and sauces as well.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
There is a small selection of wine, beer, tea, and even ice cream.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
I loved these cute hand-painted bowls for sale at $7 each.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
There were a lot of hosting gifts available, too. From funny napkins to witty pillows to glasses with sayings, the shelves were brimming with options for gifts.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
There were sets of four small bottles in a variety pack ($32) already ready to wrap. There were also bags available if you wanted to create your own sampler in groups of four.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
These two small bottles were how I started my Grovestone love. Two Christmases ago, my friend Krista got me a duo set of small bottles. Mine were the original olive oil and ultra premium balsamic vinegar, but the ones available in store are the bread dipping seasoning and ultra premium olive olive ($14) which would be a fantastic gift especially paired with a baguette. There are lots of gifts under $50 available.
So what did I buy? I meant to just buy another bottle of the balsamic vinegar (a pantry staple in my house), but I bought a few extra things that caught my eye.
Photo by Alyssa Buckley.
Of course, I picked up the large bottle of the aged balsamic reduction, but I also bought a mini jar of Little Italy pizza seasoning ($6.45), a shaker of Greek myth seasoning ($10.95), a bottle of roasted onion olive oil ($6.95), a bottle of jalapeno olive oil ($6.95), and a small bottle of espresso balsamic ($6.95). My cooking is about to get more flavor, and my coffee-loving husband is about to get a bottle of espresso balsamic for Christmas.
Visit the store in the Old Farm Shops with Cheese & Crackers and Sushi Siam, or order online.
Grovestone
1707 W Kirby Ave
Champaign
M-F 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sa 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Top image by Alyssa Buckley.
