New Olive Oil Business Nearly Ready to Open in Downtown Kirkwood

We were wandering toward the farmers market in Kirkwood on Saturday afternoon and happened to find Mary P. Burke, owner of the soon-to-open Olive Oils & More store, applying vinyl lettering to the window of her storefront.

You can meet Mary in the video above this article and hear her talk a little about how much the city of Kirkwood has welcomed her already.

She'd planned to open near the start of May, but complications in converting the space to a food-oriented business and other structural issues in the building delayed her plans. Now she expects the doors to open in seven to 10 days, in her space at 105 E. Argonne in downtown Kirkwood — space that used to be occupied by Craft Caboose.

The store will be the second one in the St. Louis metro area; the first is in Edwardsville at 202 S. Buchanan St. The store will sell standard and premium olive oils, spices and balsamic vinegars. The store will offer classes in the "art of pairing olive oils and balsamic vinegars."

Here's a recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Spread that she was handing out to passersby on Saturday afternoon:

1 jar roasted red peppers, drained

1/4 cup Delizia Tuscan Herb Extra Virgin Olive Oil

8 oz. crumbled Feta cheese

1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

2 whole garlic cloves

Put all of the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until smooth. Serve as a spread for crackers, over pasta or with bread.