The Origin of Olive & Marlowe
Olive & Marlowe’s original East Liberty location.
Olive & Marlowe got its start in September of 2010 at a stall in the former Pittsburgh Public Market in the city’s Strip District. It was the perfect part-time gig for a mother of a six month-old, as I’d often need to bring Olive to work with me.
Weeks after the birth of my second daughter, Marlowe, in 2013, I opened my brick and mortar location in East Liberty, a neighborhood teeming with innovative restaurants and residents who know, love, and appreciate great food. Having my own space allowed me to meld the benefits of being a stay-at-home mom (the girls had ample room in the mezzanine to play and nap) while simultaneously working full-time and growing the business - almost always with a baby strapped to my front or back as I bottled and served customers.
In 2016, I welcomed my youngest daughter, Tulpen. School and activities for my older children were becoming more pressing considerations and by 2018, I determined it was time to shutter the storefront and rely on web sales from my established, loyal customer base in order to achieve a better work-life balance. This proved to be a fortuitous decision; having made the shift to selling solely online and at markets helped me weather the pandemic with no interruption to business. Olive & Marlowe products are sold at select retail locations and farmers markets in and around the greater Pittsburgh area.
Thank you for supporting my family and me!
Heather Cramer, owner
A Passion for Quality & Education
Since owning Olive & Marlowe, I have traveled to California numerous times to attend olive oil sensory courses at UC Davis' Olive Center. There, I have learned how to differentiate between olive varietals, identify defects, and have obtained a wealth of information about the chemical makeup, nutrients, health benefits, and best practices for production and storage. Classes at the Culinary Institute of America offered further insight into the art of pairing olive oils with different foods to enhance their nuanced flavor profiles.
