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| Rob Lalla holding a stainless steel "Fusti" |
There is nothing more frustrating than finding a wonderful source for a go-to staple of my pantry has disappeared. So I was delighted to find Odessy Olive Oils and Vinegars still in place when I visited the Hamilton market to shop for a friend’s birthday dinner. (Many happy returns again Kim!)
In truth, I had wondered, since it seemed such a specialised niche when it opened just after the Market renovation, and really, just how much balsamic can one cook go through? A fair bit as it turns out.
When I asked owner Rob Lalla how it had been going, he said “Since the renovation, numbers at the Market have been down a bit, but week by week it’s picking up… As time goes on, and as more vendors come with different product offerings, it makes the market a more exciting place to shop.”
For his own business he adds, “People are spreading the word that we’ve got all kinds of different olive oils and balsamics, and they can incorporate that into their everyday cooking.” Born in Hamilton of Italian parents, Rob worked many years in retail before deciding to start his own business. He looked at what would complement the selection of products already at the Market and decided on olive oils and vinegars.
