Gheggeri’s Fine Olive Oils & Balsamics

On a recent visit from Chicago, I met my sister in Milford (see my review of Bar Louis for more about this cool little NEPA town). As we strolled downtown checking out all the shops and soaking up the scene, we wandered down what was equal parts street, alley and driveway to other shops’ parking lots. Along a row of low-​slung, smaller shops was an open door to Ghiggeri’s Fine Olive Oils and Balsamics.
The owner, Patricia, welcomed us as all do in this picturesque town and oriented us to the balsamics and oils, providing their origins, noting (very reasonable) prices, and pointing out specialties and most populars. Very quickly we struck up easy conversation with her as we tasted amazingly infused vinegars and oils. (Which, btw, I think the whole «infused» thing for everything from water to vinegar to oil to vodka often goes over the top. But these were subtle and pleasant — even the ones I was less fond of. Good stuff well done, for sure!)
Ordinarily, I don’t like to purchase liquids (for obvious reasons) when traveling by air. But the Tuscan lemon, apricot, and grapefruit balsamics were so good, I couldn’t pass them up. While they’ll be great on salads, I’m even more excited about trying to incorporate them in summer cocktails.
While we were shopping and chatting, Patricia’s husband walked in. They spoke to each other quietly and I half noticed he walked behind the counter and was soon up on a ladder. I brought my vinegars to the register and was about ask if she could use a little extra tissue in wrapping the three bottles so I could put them in my luggage for the flight back to Chicago. Before I could, she already had a styrofoam bottle shipper out and ready to go. Turns out, her husband had only come in to say hello. But in their quiet conversation after he came in, she had asked him to find a box for the foam shipper so we could be certain my purchase would not break in my travels. However, he couldn’t find a box that fit the shipper. So he took a larger box, unfolded it, and *recut it* to make one that fit the foam container. And as he measured, cut and folded we kibitzed about how he only came in to say hello and perhaps he shouldn’t do that anymore if it means he gets put to work. Or that maybe he shouldn’t do a good job with the box so she doesn’t ask him to do this kind of thing again. (Which of course, he didn’t do. The box he made will get my purchase from New Jersey to Chicago and back again!)
It’s this kind of thoughtful, friendly, service that distinguishes caring individuals from mere shop owners. These are people providing hospitality for their guests and make you feel like it was the easiest, most natural thing for them to do for you. It’s the kind of thoughtfulness and warmth for strangers that makes a purchase of something as common as vinegar and oil something to remember, an experience to recommend, and a shop to return to.
Thank you, Patricia and Michael!