I'm so excited that I got to order from Pinch Spice Market, after following them for a bit and…read morehearing some great word of mouth. Pinch has a website that you can order through, and if you're local to Louisville you can pick up your order at their facility. They don't have a store open to consumers. I wanted to make shaksuka for the first time but needed harissa and ras el hanout spice blends, which I couldn't find at Kroger. Pinch had these for $7 and $8 for 1/4 cup tins. And my order was ready for pick-up within 24 hours. Clear instructions were sent for this, and my husband was able to easily retrieve these for me. These spices are so fragrant, and I loved adding them to my dish. Now I'm looking for other dishes I can make with these. I can't wait until I need more spices, because I will definitely order from Pinch again.

I love this place. I've been ordering from here for a while now. Just got two new spices today…read more They're always fresh! And they carry items I can't find in store.

Zi Olive continues to be a special place and an opportunity to treat yourself or others. Bottles of…read moreolive oil and vinaigrette start at $25, although you can get small "travel" bottles for around $6. They truly have every flavor profile from sweet to savory that you can think of. Paper cups are available to test the flavors before you commit. Another popular item is honey - several flavors and opportunities to try them. You'll also find some dipping seasonings (for bread), other sauces, and condiments. We opted for the traditional white vinaigrette to pair with an olive oil. Really looking forward to enjoying it on salads or bread. The employee was key in assisting us on finding bottles we would prefer. Small store that packs in a lot of items. Great spot for presents or items to bring to someone hosting a gathering. Plenty of parking since the store shares space with other retail stores and restaurants.

Tired of adulterated grocery store olive oil? If so, its time to head to Zi Olive in the Westport…read moreVillage shopping mall. I was blown away at the variety of balsamic vinegar and olive oils that are available at Zi Olive. I was told they have over 50 varieties of infused olive oil! Self-serve tasting is available for all of the balsamic vinegars and olive oils. The staff were super friendly and helpful, suggesting some interesting flavor combinations. We purchased the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with 2 infused oils (blood orange and black cherry) to mix with it for TASTY salad dressings. We also purchased the habanero olive oil which we have really enjoyed when cooking meats. There will be a never-ending combo of oil and vinegar combinations on our salads, breads, and meats. I know exactly where I'm headed when I need a great hostess gift! Thank you Zi Olive!

Stumbled upon this little shop while exploring downtown New Albany. I was immediately greeted and…read moreshown around the store. From spices to salts to sugars and teas this place has it all. I had no idea how many types/varieties of sugars and salts existed until today. Every product had a corresponding jar beside it, which you could open to smell (this was really helpful). I ordered a large Lemon and Cherry Tea, it was refreshing. I like that they have sampler sets, which reduce the costs if you were to buy the items individually. The prices are on the higher side but they do advertise their products as "fine spices, herbs, blends, salts, teas". I picked up 1oz of the Crazy Chicken Seasoning and 2oz of the Dragon Fruit Fusion Herbal tea. My partner chose 1.5 oz of Pineapple Sugar, 1.5 oz of cranberry Orange Sugar and pineapple upside down maple syrup 8.45 oz. Our total with my tea came out to $60.43 after tax. While I can't afford to shop here regularly, this place is a perfect stop for someone needing to pick up a gift for any occasion. The shop was organized well and inviting to newbies.

A Lesson in "Local" vs. Franchise: My Experience at The Spice & Tea Exchange…read more I'm writing this not from anger, but from concern for fellow consumers who prioritize supporting truly local businesses and expect quality products backed by genuine customer service. What I Thought I Was Supporting When I visited The Spice & Tea Exchange during their grand opening, I was delighted. The boutique aesthetic, the owner's involvement, the community feel--everything suggested an independent, locally-owned shop. As someone who intentionally supports local businesses over chains, I became a repeat customer, purchased multiple items, and referred others. The Quality Issues I experienced problems with two different teapots: First purchase: A yellow stoneware teapot infuser with a design flaw--a tiny screw that constantly came loose, making the lid crooked and unstable. The store provided a replacement (the glass teapot), which I appreciated. The exchange: I chose this BEAUTIFUL glass teapot infuser as replacement. Within a short time, this teapot cracked while I was washing it in the sink--not dropping it, not exposing it to temperature shock, just routine cleaning. I own numerous glass items--French presses, teapots, bowls--many for years without issue. I've even accidentally dropped glass items that didn't break. Quality glassware does not spontaneously crack during gentle washing. The Customer Service Breakdown August 2025: Since I do not live in New Albany and wasn't sure when I would be able to make it back to the physical location, I sent a detailed email to the New Albany location. No response. October 2025: I contacted corporate through their website. Customer service (Toni) was sympathetic and promised a replacement. However, she stated: "Since our stores are independently owned and operated franchise stores, if you would like a refund or credit, contact the store directly." Three months later: No replacement ever arrived. December 2025 in-person: I explained everything to owner Kellyjean Gettelfinger. She told me "glass breaks" and that their in-store containers also break "for no reason." She said she'd "be the one losing money" if she helped, and asked what I expected her to do. No accommodation was offered--no exchange, store credit, or goodwill gesture despite my being a repeat customer who referred others. The Franchise Reality The Spice & Tea Exchange is a franchise. It may be owned by a local resident, but operates under corporate structure that fundamentally changes the business: Quality Control: The owner likely can't source better products. Franchise agreements typically mandate approved vendors and products--explaining why she knows their containers break but can't change suppliers. Customer Service Limitations: You're caught between franchise owner and corporate--neither takes full responsibility. Corporate says "contact the store," the store says they'll lose money helping you, and you're left with a broken product. Where Your Money Goes: Your money splits between the local owner, franchise fees to corporate, and corporate-mandated suppliers (often out of state)--very different from a Mom and Pop where revenue stays in the community. Decision-Making Authority: Independent owners can take a loss on defective items to preserve relationships. Franchise owners operate within corporate constraints and seem less empowered to prioritize customer satisfaction. What Quality Retailers Do Reputable glassware companies (Pyrex, Bodum, Ball, Le Creuset) stand behind products with warranties. Quality retailers source products they trust, warn customers about limitations, offer guarantees, or stop carrying problematic items. When glass breaks during normal use, it's defective. A responsible retailer addresses this, not dismisses it. For Fellow "Buy Local" Consumers "Locally owned" and "local business" aren't always the same. A franchise may be owned locally and employ local people (so does Walmart), but the business model, decision-making power, and revenue flow differ fundamentally from independent businesses. If supporting truly local businesses matters--where owners have full autonomy, money stays in the community, and customer relationships are prioritized--ask whether a business is independently owned or a franchise. I believed I was supporting a local owner who would stand behind products and value customer relationships. Instead, I encountered corporate constraints without corporate accountability, unresolved quality issues, and dismissive responses to legitimate concerns. I don't write this to attack anyone personally, but because I care about where my money goes and what business practices I'm supporting. I hope this helps others make informed decisions and encourages all businesses to prioritize quality and customer care. Documentation available: Emails from August and October 2025 if needed. I wish I had photos, unfortunately I threw away or gave back what I had.

Galena Garlic Co. was a favorite find during my recent trip to Madison…read more GGC has such a wide selection of flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils, as well as spices, spice blends, pasta and more. And the selection was also organized in such an intuitive way. I was on the lookout for champagne vinegar for my husband -- something fun we had recently seen on a YouTube cooking video. I was able to find this on my own rather quickly. I love that we were able to walk around and try several of these too. I ended up buying a small bottle of peach balsamic vinegar based on the sample I tasted. I can't wait to try it on salads. The staff was helpful and told us they also ship. Every aspiring home chef should visit this shop.

A great selection of vinegars and oils that are reasonable priced. There are sample cups…read moreeverywhere, so you don't have to wait on someone to serve samples to you. They also had some very interesting flavors like smoked olive oil and grilled lemon balsamic. My reason for it being only a four-star review is that...there wasn't a lot of garlic? With "Garlic" right in the name of the shop, we were expecting tons and tons of garlic things. There were a few, but no more than you'd find in a regular oil and vinegar shop.

Holy Smoked Spices!!!! Are you ready to step yo game up in the kitchen?!?!.. I'm here to tell you…read more These spices are Amazing and packed with flavor!.. you can smell and taste the smoky infusion in each spice without overpowering the actual spice itself. I find myself using these more than my regular spices, mixing them together (which I heard they have some new blends out that I can't wait to try).. And the best thing about the spices is a little goes a long way! I purchased the sample pack and I'm already a couple months in.. well, the Smoked Brown Sugar is almost gone!! Lol.. Ohhhhhhh... And you Must try their Shoodie Bread!!!! Freaking Delicious!!!

From the owner: How It All Began Keep it Spicey has the industry leading…read moreGourmet Corn Bread called "Shoodie Bread" which is a combination of my grandmother's recipe along with my wife's grandmother's recipe that we've combined to create a versatile and creamy cornbread that has a patent pending. It's the only cornbread on the planet that is already premixed with all the ingredients added, that can be sautee'd to make griddle cakes on the cook top or baked in the oven without adding any ingredients. Keep it Spicey was founded in 2015. Our products are made of the highest-quality ingredients, and we guarantee to only serve you with the freshest products available in Louisville, KY, Bourbon Country. Our spices are slow smoked in small batches using a combination of hickory wood for boldness, cherry wood for a little sweetness and bourbon staves for more flavor.

This is such an adorable shop, full of items sure to contribute to a world-class, delicious meal!…read more I explored New Albany for a bit today and wandered into Underground Station and into The Olivet. This store is small, but it's filled with so much. I loved the balsamic vinegars and olive oils that line two of the walls. Each type is available to sample from large, steel dispensers with a spouts. That's how I fell in love with the raspberry balsamic vinegar. It's sweet and rich, with a bit of tart. The shop owner came over and explained to me how she sources both the balsamic vinegars and olive oils from California. Some of the balsamic vinegars are thick and dark, like molasses. That's because they have been aged for 20 years. Others are much thinner and lighter and are younger. There are benefits to both. Maybe this is a sign of me becoming more refined in my culinary preferences, but I would have never geeked out over some flavored EVOO or BV when I was younger. In the past, those were the cooking ingredients relegated to the back of the cabinet or as the almost silent back-up singers of a dish. But I've grown to love tasting all the varieties and learning how best to use them, such as in cooking and on salads or even drizzled over ice cream. The Olivet also has a wall of spices, including special spice blends. These. Smelled. Amazing. Can't wait to try the "Napa Valley Blend" I came home with. This shop also sells lotions, body products, artisan chocolates and other bits of delight. I could tell that the owner is passionate about what she does and sharing it with others. The Olivet also just celebrated its first anniversary. Congrats, Olivet!

If you're really into cooking, flavor, and the unexpected, The Olivet is for you! I am kind of…read moreshocked that a specialty shop like this exists in small town Indiana, but I'm extremely happy that it does. This is a shop that is focused and goes deep. The options for oils and vinaigrette are shocking. That's before you hit the wall of spices. All of these are available in volumes that allow you to buy as much as you need rather than just shelves of pre-packaged goods. Also, feel free to check out the fresh-baked, delicate desserts in the back cases. I finally found squid ink pasta, so I'm excited. You definitely won't be confusing this with a stop in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly! You have to check out The Olivet if you want to take your cooking to the next level.

The smoothie was great, it is truly a not processed smoothie king kind of smoothie. I had this…read morebefore walking Bockfest and felt extremely hydrated the rest of the day.

Attended the grow and glow event yesterday and had such an amazing time! Got a chance to get some…read moreinsight on why the owner created this business and got some free goodies! The juices here are incredible and the space is so cute and cozy! I can't wait to go back! If you're in the area, please make sure you support this local business! Bring a friend & tell a friend .#healthiswealth

Yarrow describes itself as a collective of herbalists, artist, makers, and bodywork practitioners…read morecollaborating to hold space for you - dedicated to self-care and creative spirit. YES, PLEASE! They are tucked away in one of my favorite buildings that houses Blueline media down the hall (the old Tutto Benne building, just around the corner from Rainbow Bakery). Yarrow is on the first floor, next to the parking recessed parking lot. I found this collective on Instagram and fell in love. The plant photos they share make me want to fill my house from floor to ceiling and include Zebrina Calathea, curly ferns, wreath workshops, and figure drawing classes. My favorite post is when they said that even plant murderers are welcome (ha! I think anyone that has ever had plants has murdered at least one)! So many gorgeous plants and other lovely offerings. For Thanksgiving, I picked up the most gorgeous bouquet as a gift with protea blooms. Curbside pickup felt super safe and easy. They are currently by appointment most days and post shop hours on the website and insta. I made an appointment through insta and it was super easy.