Hi, I'm Wendy!
Along with my son Matthew and our shop pup, Rosie, we've been pouring ultra-premium oils and vinegars right here at 118 Woodland Boulevard since late 2017. Getting to run this shop day in and day out with my son is a blessing I never take for granted.
Out of curiosity, Matthew and I pulled up our complete records just to see what almost nine years of pouring oil looks like on paper. Seeing those numbers had us staring at the screen with our jaws on the floor!
Unquantifiable Memories
Looking past the math, we started wondering about the unquantifiable stuff:
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How many ear scratchies has Rosie talked out of regulars over the years?
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How many belly laughs have Matthew and I shared behind the counter?
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How many late-night conversations and ideas over dinner turned into moments that completely changed our shop?
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How many incredible friends have walked into our store who we never would have known if we hadn't taken that first leap of faith?
And that is truly what it was. It’s not like anyone majors in Olive Oiling. Nine years ago, this whole venture started with a simple prayer asking what path we should take, trusting in our Creator, and stepping out in faith. He has been continuously faithful every step of the way, even on those rare, wild days when the occasional difficult customer tests every ounce of our patience.
More Than Salespeople: Your Neighborhood Hosts
We have never seen ourselves as salespeople. No high-pressure pitches, fancy slide decks, or slick closing lines. We simply believe you can taste the difference the second you compare real quality to what sits on a standard grocery store shelf.
Put a tiny tasting spoon in someone's hand, and let exceptional, fresh, flavorful olive oils and balsamic do what they were born to do. We see ourselves as neighborhood hosts, flavor tour guides, and quiet conspirators in making your weeknight dinners taste incredible. Over the years, the folks walking through our doors stopped being just customers and became extended family.
9 Years by the Numbers
Those casual "just curious, what does this one taste like?" chats added up to astounding milestones:
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96,493 Individual Sales: Nearly 100,000 distinct moments of someone walking in, debating between Garlic or Tuscan Herb, insisting they were "just browsing," and leaving with a heavy bag of sundries, oils, cute gifts, and other items.
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204,177 Bottles: Ultra-premium olive oil and traditional balsamic vinegar finding homes on kitchen counters, outdoor grill stations, and holiday tables.
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52,586,920 Milliliters: Enough balsamic and olive oil to fill an entire backyard swimming pool, top off the gas tanks of roughly 800 midsize sedans, or dress enough green salads to feed the entire population of DeLand three meals a day for a month!
More than the wild math, it means 200,000 family pasta nights, Sunday roasts, backyard cookouts, and gift exchanges where our family and our store got to be part of yours.
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It is the reluctant husband who swore he did not like vinegar taking one dip and his eyes going wide.
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It is the teenager realizing balsamic on strawberries is life-changing.
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It is the newlywed couple picking out their very first pantry staples together.
You're Invited: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony!
Giving our original DeLand shop a modern facelift gives us a space that finally matches the heart, faith, and energy this community brings through the door every day. To celebrate the shiny new look, we are holding an official ribbon-cutting ceremony!
✂️ Official Ribbon-Cutting Details
Location: 118 Woodland Boulevard
Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Whether you were customer number one, customer number 96,493, or you have been driving past us for years meaning to pop in, come by for a sample, say hi to Rosie (if she is up to it), check out the new look, and help us toast to the next 200,000 bottles.
With Gratitude,
Wendy Caroen LaRocca
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