A Platte City native has come home to offer tasty, healthy oil and vinegar options and help reinvigorate the business community on Main Street.
Extending the Branch, located at 120 Main Street, opened earlier this year to sell artisan olive oil, balsamic vinegar and more. The opening was a family effort, with owner Amanda Grigsby and her father fixing up and decorating the interior of the small store. Originally from Texas, Grigsby moved to Platte City as a child and grew up here. When she returned a few years ago, she was disheartened by the condition of downtown Platte City.
“When we were little Main Street was the best place to be and when I came back and saw how far it had fallen I knew I wanted to do something,” Grigsby said.
With a little urging from her husband, Kenny — who handles marketing for her business —Grigsby quickly decided she wanted to bring her newfound passion for oils and vinegars to her hometown.
She said she became interested in the benefits of more natural foods and their benefits when her uncle was diagnosed with cancer.
“Everyone in the family started to look for healthy alternatives,” she said. Her journey took her to another Kansas City area olive oil and vinegar store, where she quickly learned the health benefits.
Olive oil — particularly high-quality, extra virgin olive oils — contain antioxidant polyphenols, which reportedly can improve digestion issues, weight management, diabetes, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Balsamic vinegars, which are derived from grapes, also contain polyphenols and other antioxidants and probiotics.
Extending the Branch offers several varieties of both, with stock shifting with the seasons. Right now, Grigsby said spring and summer flavors — light and citrusy — are popular. By fall, the flavors will become a little more hearty. Grigsby encourages visitors to come in and taste the products to find their favorites. The store also sells its oils and vinegars online at extendingthebranch.com.
“We can do special orders, and we hope to add seasonings for the oils and some pastas in the future,” she said.
A ribbon cutting hosted by the Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce was held Thursday, May 30 to welcome the business to Platte City. The store opened in March and is still operating on part-time hours, but Grigsby said business has been good and she hopes to soon expand hours.
Returning to her hometown to open a business has led to a lot of unexpected reunions.
“I get a lot of customers who recognize me, who say ‘oh my gosh, it’s you,’” she said.
It’s been a great experience to introduce some of these people to new flavors as well. She points out pineapple vinegar as a particular favorite and said she puts it on ice cream as a sweet and tart topping.
Another surprising flavor that has proved popular with visitors is lavender olive oil. Garlic and jalapeno oils have also been big sellers, she said.
Grigsby’s products are produced by a small manufacturer in Arizona, who processes the oils and vinegars in small batches, she said.
“We’re here to help,” she said. “We want people to feel better and eat food that tastes better, while eating healthy.”
Extending the Branch is open from 1-6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday. On Thursdays, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are closed on Sundays.