An 'Olive Tree' Grows in Westchase

Like many, the economic downturn hit real estate paralegal Donna Woelfel hard. Four years ago, she lost her job and the prospects didn't seem positive. Instead of sulking, she decided to volunteer in her community.

But last year, when it came time to consider getting back into the working world Woelfel knew she didn't want to be behind a desk. Instead she decided to combine her love for cooking and interest in healthy living.

Enter The Olive Tree Olive Oil Company, located at 10115 Montague St.

The store, owned by Donna and her husband, John, is the latest addition to West Park Village and offers a unique experience to those who walk through its doors.

The Olive Tree features dozens of olive oils, balsamic vinegars and specialty products from across the globe. As an extra special touch, shoppers can taste the oils and vinegars before purchasing them.

There are more than 300 stores nationwide like the Olive Tree Olive Oil Company, however the store is not a franchise. Instead store owners like the Woelfels have an exclusive supply agreement with the California-based olive oil company Veronica Foods, known for its fine quality imported olive oils.

The concept spoke to the Woelfels since it provided an added level of freedom for them as business owners and because it involved something Donna was familiar with.

"I grew up eating a Mediterranean diet, and I like to experiment and try cooking new things," she said. "There are a lot of misnomers about olive oil, so I felt this was a chance to educate people about its benefits."

The couple had lived in Sarasota for 13 years and John Woelfel, a business consultant, commuted to Tampa several times a week. After scouting numerous locations for a store, they decided on Westchase. 

And not only did they locate their business in the neighborhood, they also became residents themselves. The Woelfels now live in the Westchase neighborhood of Tree Tops.

"I just fell in love with this area. It's a neat community. I love to see people active and walking," Debbie said. "We felt this was the place our concept would be successful."

A walk around the Olive Tree Olive Oil Company gives you the feel of a small Napa Valley bistro with hints of European flair. Stainless steel vessels filled with olive oils from across the globe line the walls, while another wall features naturally flavored balsamic vinegars. Each vessel is flanked with a card listing the flavor description, crush date of the olives, and health benefits. 

The oils change every six months and come from across the globe including such olive oil-producing locations like Tunisia, Egypt and Greece.

Shoppers can taste as many oils as they like and even create their own mixture in etched glass bottles displaying the store's logo. The Woelfels offer a $1 discount for people who return their bottles for refills.

"I call it my food lab," quipped Donna, who offers shoppers breads and fruit to fully experience the taste of the oils and vinegars.

But at the core of Donna and John Woelfel's mission is helping people. Both are well versed on the benefits of olive oil for preventing illnesses like heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer and arthritis. 

"The idea is we want people to come in and educate the public on nutritional values of olive oil," John said. "We felt strongly that we need to educate people about what their missing out on."

The Olive Tree Olive Oil Company is located at 10115 Montague St. For more information, call 813-920-4781 or visit them on Facebook.