A gourmet grocer offering 30 types of olive oil and vinegar is opening in downtown North Augusta next to Vampire Penguin on Georgia Avenue.
The store, Town Square Olive Oil and Wine, will also offer craft beer, local dairy, take-and-bake bread, pasta, charcuterie items, sauces and marinades. The olive oil and vinegar can be tasted and bottled on-site.
Owners Tia Harville and her husband, Joey, who grew up in Augusta, hope to open the doors on Thursday, Aug. 17. Opening hours will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except on Sunday when it will be open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We want people to be able to come and get what they need after work instead of running to Publix or Kroger,” Tia said.
Joey’s aunt, Cindy Mask, opened the original Town Square Olive Oil and Wine in Covington, Ga in 2014. The North Augusta store will be its second location.
“I think she used to travel a lot back when she was in medical sales, and that’s where she got her inspiration from,” Tia said.
This won’t be the husband-wife duo’s first time in business together. Previously, they opened Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in 2015 in Summerville, about 35 minutes northwest of Charleston, S.C. They sold it to a business partner in 2018 and moved to Augusta.
At Town Square Olive Oil and Wine, Tia and Joey will have three additional employees to help them run the store. Tia said she hopes they become a part of the community and that people feel comfortable in the store.
“I say we will close at 7 p.m., but I’m sure, eventually, we will have regulars knocking on the door after 7 p.m. asking to get a refill. And I’m going to let them in,” she said with a laugh.
