Food+Drink

Oil and Vinegar

shop deals in specialty olive oil, vinegar, & coffee

Graham Barnes, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

Offering everything from bacon- to lemon-flavored oils, Bridget Wicka prepares samples at bc Olive & Bean Co.
Offering everything from bacon- to lemon-flavored oils, Bridget Wicka prepares
samples at bc Olive & Bean Co.

Bridget Wicka is a self-professed coffee fanatic. Her in-laws have retail ties to olive oil and vinegar. Pair them all together and you have bc Olive & Bean co., a purely original Eau Claire business located off Fairfax Street in Charleston Square.

The idea for a partnership manifested over a series of conversations between Bridget and her in-laws in the spring of 2012. Fred and Robin Wicka, Bridget’s in-laws, live in Colorado and have a friend who operates a specialty olive oil and vinegar store in their area. Sensing the opportunity to develop a similar niche in Eau Claire, Fred and Robin decided to seize the opportunity. They offered to partner with Bridget, agreeing to add a twist: Bridget’s love for coffee. In September last year bc Olive & Bean co. opened its doors, with Bridget serving as the face of the company. (In case you’re wondering, the “bc” symbolizes Bridget and her husband Josh’s children.)

In promoting healthy dining choices, olive oil and balsamic vinegar serve as great alternatives to more traditional kitchen staples. For breakfast, substitute bacon-flavored olive oil in place of bacon grease with eggs over-easy. Lemon-flavored balsamic vinegar is scrumptious on green salad and contains a fraction of the calories of salad dressing. Banana bread with caramel balsamic vinegar offers a light, yet flavorful taste experience.

Perhaps you simply need to taste to believe: Samples of any of the store’s infused olive oils and flavored balsamic vinegars are always available. The store proudly features Johnson Brothers Coffee, a Madison-based company recognized nationally for its quality in roasting. In addition to coffee and lattes, fruit smoothies, herbal teas, and other drink selections are available. Plans for future growth include tasting parties, chef demos and more recipes.

For more information, check out the store’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/bcOliveAndBeanco.