Ground Floor: Specialty oil, vinegar store opens in Coralville

CORALVILLE - At first glance, Dr. Kimberly Schulz's latest business venture may seem like a big departure from her existing medical practice and wellness-related businesses.

In March, the family physician and board-certified dermatologist opened Harvest Oil and Vinegar, a specialty store and tasting room in Coralville offering ultra-premium olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars.

The new store is located just steps away from Schulz's other businesses, Infinity Skin Care and Spa and Infinity Vein Center. The seemingly unrelated businesses have more in common than their owner and address.

'We have learned so much about the healthy compounds in olive oil,” Schulz explained. 'It's been exciting for me as a physician to learn about it.”

Schulz said fresh olive oil has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of skin and other cancers and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The healthy fats in olive oil also help the body absorb nutrients that are important for skin health.

Likewise, balsamic vinegar, which is made from grapes, contains powerful antioxidants that are good for the skin.

Schulz said many of the same skin-friendly compounds found naturally in olive fruit and grapes are mimicked in the high-tech skin care products she uses in her medical practice.

While Schulz initially may have been drawn to olive oil for its health benefits, she said the new store provides her with a creative outlet for another of her passions: food.

'I've been focused on nutrition my whole life and that's what took me into medicine,” she said. 'I've also had an interest in food and the finer things that are created in the kitchen.”

Harvest Oil and Vinegar offers more than 40 stainless steel fustis (pronounced foos-tee) holding different olive oils, balsamic vinegars and specialty oils to be tasted alone and in combination. Suggested pairings and recipe ideas also are provided.

The store offers private tasting parties where guests can sample foods prepared with different oils and vinegars and learn how to use them in the kitchen to add flavor to food and improve health.

'It's an opportunity to slow down and focus on the simple things we can do to enrich our lives in significant ways,” Schulz said.

' Comments: Know of a company in business for less than a year that would be ideal for 'Ground Floor”? Contact George Ford at george.ford@sourcemedia.net.

At a Glance

'Owner

: Dr. Kimberly Schulz

'Business

: Harvest Oil and Vinegar

'Address

: 1150 Fifth St., Suite 150, Coralville

'Phone:

(319) 338-2339

'Website:

www.harvestoilandvinegar.com