Today we’d like to introduce you to Shasta Fase.
Hi Shasta, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Our Journey
Our journey has been nothing short of a life-changing experience of travel and discovery. After many years as a local real estate broker, I felt compelled to make a change — something more meaningful, something that could help others. That’s when the discovery began.
My husband and I embarked on a journey throughout Europe, traveling through countries such as Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Sicily, Malta, and many others. Along the way, we discovered the beauty of extra virgin olive oil and its incredible health benefits. Quaint olive oil shops lined the streets in Italy and Spain, each one filled with rich aromas and stories passed down through generations of farmers devoted to quality and tradition. It was there that we knew we had found our new path.
When we returned home to the U.S., we found a small, charming storefront in downtown Rockford and began transforming it into a warm, welcoming space reminiscent of the ones we’d visited abroad. On November 27, 2009, Old World Olive Co. was born.
From the beginning, our customers were as curious and enthusiastic as we were about learning the many health benefits of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. That excitement inspired us to expand — first to downtown Plymouth, then to downtown Grand Rapids, and eventually to the Downtown Market in Grand Rapids, MI.
Since then, we’ve added a variety of educational opportunities, including cooking demonstrations, private olive oil and vinegar tasting tours, and partnerships with local hospitals, culinary schools, and anyone with an ear — and a love — for good food.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has truly been an amazing journey — one that has led us to new friends, a new family, and countless lessons along the way. Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. Like many small businesses, we’ve faced our share of challenges and deeply hurtful obstacles.
The year 2020 tested us in ways we could never have imagined. With the three-month shutdown, we knew we had to get creative if we wanted to keep sharing our love of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We began personally delivering products to customers within 10 miles of our storefronts and set up no-contact pickup areas so that people could still enjoy their favorite oils safely. We knew we had to pivot — and we did.
When restrictions finally lifted, we were ready to come back with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for our customers. But just as we were finding our footing again, tragedy struck. In May 2020, our Downtown Grand Rapids location — situated in the heart of the riots that summer — was vandalized, looted, and destroyed beyond recognition. It felt as though our own home had been attacked.
And yet, even in that moment of heartbreak, something beautiful happened. The community showed up. Neighbors quietly began helping us make sense of the chaos — boarding up our windows, sweeping debris, offering words of comfort. Their love and outpouring of support still brings tears to my eyes to this day.
The rebuilding process took another four months. Everything — from the floors to the ceilings, and even the historic windows of the Flat Iron Building — had to be replaced. But through that experience, we found strength, resilience, and an even deeper bond with our community.
Today, we continue to feel that same support and remain forever grateful for the selfless acts of kindness that carried us through one of the hardest chapters of our story.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Old World Olive Co., we specialize in high-quality extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars sourced from around the world. Our mission has always been simple — to help people discover just how transformative truly fresh, authentic olive oil can be, both in flavor and in health.
We’re known for creating an interactive tasting experience where guests can try before they buy, learn about each product’s origin, and understand the health benefits behind every bottle. It’s not just retail for us — it’s education, connection, and community. We love sharing knowledge about polyphenols, harvesting methods, and pairing ideas, and helping people experience the difference that quality makes in their kitchens and their lives.
What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and education. We don’t just sell olive oil — we share its story. We host cooking demonstrations, private tasting events, and partner with local hospitals, culinary schools, and wellness groups to teach others about the health and culinary benefits of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
I think what I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built — both within our team and with our customers. So many people have told us that Old World Olive Co. feels like their happy place — a space where they can slow down, taste, and learn. That means the world to me.
After everything we’ve been through — the challenges, the rebuilding, and the growth — I’m proud that we’ve stayed true to who we are. We still greet every customer with warmth, still hand-pour every bottle, and still find joy in every conversation about food, family, and health. That connection, that sense of sharing something meaningful — that’s what sets us apart, and that’s what keeps us going.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a military family, which meant moving often and learning to adapt to new places and people from a young age. Each move brought new adventures, new foods, and new ways of seeing the world — something that, looking back, I think helped shape my curiosity and love for discovery.
As a child, I was an animal lover and happiest when I was outside — whether that meant helping in the garden (though maybe not every day when it came to pulling weeds!) or exploring whatever patch of nature surrounded our home at the time. But my true fascination was always in the kitchen.
Even as a little girl, I loved to cook. I had a makeshift kitchen in our basement, complete with an old antique stove that wasn’t even hooked up — probably too heavy to move out of the house! I would spend hours pretending to cook elaborate meals, then insist my parents come downstairs to sit through the “dinners” I had prepared and proudly serve them.
That simple curiosity and joy I found in the kitchen never went away. Over the years, it evolved into a genuine passion for food — for its ability to connect people, tell stories, and bring joy. I think that’s what ultimately led me to where I am today: doing something I love, sharing that same sense of discovery and connection with others through olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheOldWorldOliveCo.com
- Instagram: @oldworldoliveco
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/oldworldoliveco
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shasta-fase-4914285
