Jeff Stein and Jeff Love have worked together on various ventures in the toy industry since 1997 -- but their latest project is taking them on a rather different path.
Stein and Love have opened "Dash 'N Drizzle," an olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar on Unquowa Road.
The shop's name is short for "a dash of sea salt and a drizzle of oil," Love said.
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Dash 'N Drizzle sells about 45 olive oils and balsamic vinegars, as well as sea salt. Like what you taste? Stein and Cook will fill, cork, and seal the oil or vinegar in three different sized bottles.
Both men hail from Fairfield -- Stein from closer to the Bridgeport line, Love from Southport -- and felt Dash 'N Drizzle was "a good thing to bring to Fairfield."
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Their careers in the toy industry had become less certain.
"We both found ourselves in a spot where we were looking for something different to do," Love said.
After a year and a half of research, it was time to bring Dash 'N Drizzle to the public.
The shop officially opened Friday, and so far, they're happy with the career change.
"We're really happy where we are," Love said of the Unquowa Road site. "We love the location, the feel of the place, and we have great neighbors."
The business partners select and purchase oil and vinegar from different vendors in California and Connecticut (and a few international suppliers) with the intent to "provide the freshest oil and vinegar we can," Stein said.
Stein's favorites include the fig balsamic vinegar -- "good for salads and marinating" -- and the habanero organic olive oil.
Love prefers the "bread dippers" when it comes to olive oils -- like the Tuscan herb -- as well as the "pure" olive oils.
The store will within the next few weeks include a display of spices and will offer popcorn as an alternative to bread for dipping in and drizzling with oil and vinegar.
Besides establishing the town's first premier olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar, Stein and Love hope Dash 'N Drizzle can contribute to the Post Road's nightlife and foodie culture.
"It's buzzing. It's great," Love said.
Dash 'N Drizzle is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Follow Dash 'N Drizzle on Facebook and check out the website for updates.
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