The Happy Olive, Fairhope

The Happy Olive, located on De La Mare Avenue in Fairhope, is a fun shop with fun people working there. Sue Rusyniak is the new owner, purchasing the store three years ago from Richard and Vickie Bailey, who founded the shop 11 years ago. The staff works hard, but they love what they do. 

The Happy Olive is more than just premium extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) and excellent aged balsamic vinegar. These are not only healthy but delicious to cook with or pair as salad dressings. In addition to EVOOs and vinegar, they offer many tasty treats and a large variety of specialty gifts for any occasion. They sell Vietri from Italy, Etta B pottery made in Etta, Mississippi, Stonewall Kitchen, and much more. 

Way back in the 8th Century BC, Homer called olive oil “liquid gold” for its health benefits. There are so many healthy aspects to using extra virgin olive oil in your diet, and a lot of misconceptions too. That's where Sue and her staff step in. “We fashion ourselves as olive oil experts. We are knowledgeable and train ourselves on the correct way to taste the oil. We know how to describe and appreciate each one.” Freshest is best, and they are constantly receiving new EVOOs from harvests all over the world.

The Happy Olive carries one particular premium olive oil that is hard to find but has been proven to help you live healthier. Knowing this, Dennis Lagarde from Ponchatoula, Louisiana, came into the store a few weeks ago and said to Sue, “You really know what you are doing. Let’s create a TikTok video on this premium, healthy EVOO so people will know that you carry it.” Dennis has a website, Lagarde’s Whole Health Market. The video received 50,000 hits, and The Happy Olive had over 200 online orders in the first month. That’s impressive!

Sue, who is originally from Rochester, New York, has lived in Fairhope for 15 years. Before moving to Fairhope, she was a practicing nurse in cardiovascular health and heart education. She and her late husband, George, were married in Rochester in 1992, then lived in Rome, Georgia, where he practiced neurosurgery with his colleague and friend, Dr. Anthony Martino. 

Dr. Martino accepted a position at the University of South Alabama Medical Center. “He’s the one who suggested we should come check out Fairhope,” said Sue. They did and loved it. After living in Utica, New York, and having a daughter, they decided to move to Fairhope in 2008, and George joined Dr. Martino. Their daughter, Alexandra, was in the 6-grade at the time. Her New York classmates told her frightening stories about what she could expect when she moved to Alabama. If they only knew…

Alexandra attended Bayside Academy in Daphne and is now graduating from George Washington Law School in Washington, DC. I guess it worked out. She worked part-time at The Happy Olive during high school, and Sue says, “I would listen to Alexandra tell stories about what happened that day at the store. She would tell me what was selling, and I was intrigued.”

Soon, Alexandra went off to college, and Sue began working part-time at the shop “My husband had a lot of Italian in him, and olive oil was in his DNA. We traveled to Greece and Italy, so, being a nurse, I started paying more attention to the benefits of olive oil for a healthier lifestyle.”

Richard and Vickie kept mentioning to Sue that she should purchase the store. They were ready for their next chapter, and two years later, in August 2020, Sue bought the business. This was right after the store had been closed for seven weeks because of Covid. “I bought the store but didn’t have a business background,” says Sue. “I could never have done it without the staff that had been there from the start, and Richard helped me a lot.”

“We thrived during the pandemic.” People couldn’t do their usual travel, and they flocked to Fairhope. They ate at home more often, cooked more, and we had what they wanted.” She goes on to say, “People made a point to shop local. Customers went above and beyond to support local businesses.” This has been a common theme for almost everyone I’ve talked to around the Scenic 98 Coastal area.

Sue says, “When we first told our families we were moving to Fairhope, Alabama, they didn’t know what to think. I can’t say there aren’t other places as nice as Fairhope, but I’ve never experienced any other towns that are as warm and welcoming.” The Happy Olive is like a magnet for people to come and tell their stories. The store attracts a great staff as well. “It’s what you bring into your life every day that matters,” says Sue. 

Sue’s husband, George, passed away suddenly a year ago. “I’m lucky to be surrounded by great co-workers and friends that have supported me through this difficult time. She says the shop is like her family. “I’d been working at the Happy Olive for a couple of years before buying the business, so I wasn’t totally unaware of how to run the store. “We have a wonderful business, and we all work hard, but it’s a fun place to be for all of us.”

The Happy Olive has something for everyone. “We are many customers' go-to place for gifts, especially for foodies,” says Sue. They carry over 100 olive oil and vinegar pairings for salad dressings. Each month, they have a “pairing of the month” offering. April’s pairing includes a delicious blueberry-infused balsamic vinegar and Herbs de Provence EVOO.

One day when I was in the store, everyone that came in openly raved about The Happy Olive They said,  “It’s the first place I come to buy gifts.” They offer free gift wrapping on the spot and create attractive gift baskets that are sure to please. For the mixologist, The Happy Olive has a wide assortment of olives, cherries, sweet jalapeno relish, pickles, and other gourmet delights.

Sue said she is fortunate to have great employees that just want to go somewhere and have a nice day. “It’s hard work, but each person on our staff has a favorite item to talk about. They all use these products, and you get to meet the most interesting people, stay active, and enjoy what you do.”  The store hosts the Taste of Fairhope food tour each Friday & Saturday and recently hosted the University of Alabama’s Business School’s Board Of Visitors spouse event. 

If you haven't already, put The Happy Olive on your place to visit. You can find their products at the Urban Emporium in downtown Mobile on Dauphin Street or shop online at www.happyolive4.com. It is truly a Happy place to shop!