Business spotlight: Brentwood Spice and Olive Oil keeps expanding

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: Brentwood Spice and Olive Oil

Type of business: Retail spice, oils, gift baskets and gourmet cook's tools

Owners: Dawn Fischer and David Navarrette

Founded: 1998

Address: 70 Eagle Rock Way, Suite A, Brentwood

Phone number: 925-240-OILS (6457)

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday.

Number of employees: two

Products and services: Brentwood Spice and Olive Oil sports a variety of spices, oils, vinegars, gift baskets, gourmet cook's toys and tools. The spices are a relatively new addition to the olive oils that this business has been known for throughout the county, Fischer said. She added that the spices are grown from around the world and are all organic and fresh.

"We can't grow some of these spices here because we just don't have the right weather and soils," Fischer said. She added that many people are interested in keeping their diets salt-free and that these spices help make food tastier without adding the salt.

How did you get into the business: In 1998, Navarrette was the first in the county to plant olive trees for the production of olive oil, Fischer said. They originally started with an extra virgin olive oil and have since added five flavored oils, two local wine vinegars and four balsamic vinegars, including the newest creation, vanilla fig balsamic.

"I was familiar with purchasing my spices in bulk, and when I moved here, I ordered from the same Midwest shop," Fischer said. "David could not figure it out, but we started to talk and in 2009 we added 193 spices and three custom blends to the mix."

Now they have more than 200 spices with 33 custom blends. They sell in bulk from the smallest amount she can measure to whatever a customer desires.

Best part about the business: Providing the customer with what they are looking for, whether it's recipes spices or oils, Fischer said. She also said she works on supplying people with what they want, whether it is education, assistance, variety or grades of olive oil.

"Having them leave with more than what they came in for, including more knowledge, ideas, recipes and courage to try something new," she said.

Worst part about the business: "Not being able to share the recipe at home to see what they have done with the spices," Fischer said.

Key to success: "As the saying goes pioneers have no road map. The key to our success, has been vision, the ability to overcome great challenges, not exclusive to the market, persistence and perseverance," she said. "It doesn't hurt to be stubborn either and love. The love of what we are doing and the love for good food."

Biggest misperception about the business: Fischer said the biggest misperception is that Brentwood Olive Oil is no longer or that the business only sells olive oil.

Some people haven't heard about the spice part of the business. Brentwood Olive Oil, as the business was called before Fischer became a partner, changed its name and moved from Empire Avenue to its new location last fall. There is also some confusion with the name change. Fischer wants everyone to understand that Brentwood Spice and Olive Oil is the same business as Brentwood Olive Oil, with the same great olive oil and the new expansion of products adding the spices.

Future plans: "Our liquor license will eventually catch up to us, and we will then have wine and tasting from a unique gourmet food club, including wine, oil, spices and recipes," Fischer said.

They also hope to expand to include gourmet foods such as cheeses, meats, and the like, and a greater selection of cook's tools to make the job of cooking easier and more enjoyable.
— Roni Gehlke