How the Olive Oil Store Started

Scott and Tommye Solem    Beau, Katie, and Theo Webb

The Olive Oil Store was founded by Scott and Tommye Solem. While living in Northern Michigan, Tommye discovered an oil and vinegar shop and quickly began integrating many of the olive oils and balsamic vinegars into their daily meal preparation.

As their knowledge and love for the olive oils and balsamic vinegars grew, they decided to pursue this business idea and move back closer to their grown children. After visiting olive oil and balsamic vinegar stores in many places in the country, and training with an importer, the birth of The Olive Oil Store took place.

In 2023, when they were ready to retire from the olive oil business it was taken over by Beau and Katie Webb. Beau and Katie also own and operate MI Market Suttons Bay, an all Michigan-made specialty store, in Suttons Bay, Michigan. They began in 2017 with 50 products on their shelves that were produced locally, and have since expanded to a roster of more than 1000 products which span across the state of Michigan. MI Market focuses on food products, but has expanded to non-food, Michigan-made products, as well as Michigan produced beer, wine, cider, and seltzer.

Scott and Beau met through MI Market Suttons Bay, where Scott sells his peaches and cherries when they are in season. After having worked together for several years, Scott relinquished the reigns to Beau.

Beau comes from a culinary background, having worked in restaurants in one way or another for nearly 30 years. Although he hung up his chef’s coat years ago, he still prepares homemade soups daily at MI Market and finds joy in serving them to happy customers. 

Katie has a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and a master’s degree in Public Administration. These days she spends most of her time as a stay-at-home-Mom to their young son, Theo. She prides herself in preparing homemade meals for her family and canning and preserving produce from their garden for her families enjoyment all year round.

Beau and Katie are just a couple foodies who have turned their passion for high-quality food and their career experiences into something amazing. They are excited to be a part of The Olive Oil Store, and hope you too will fall in love with the wonderful flavor that olive oil and balsamic vinegars can bring to your meals!