Business & Tech

Grayslake Resident Opens Savory Spice Shop in Libertyville

The shop opens at 10 a.m. Sept. 18.

When you open the door of downtown Libertyville's newest business and you're greeted by the aroma drifting through the air, there's no mistaking what the shop sells.

Spices and herbs.

There are chili and curry powders, pink and black sea salts, Family Style Fajita Seasoning, various types of cinnamon, dried shallots and onions, and so much more for the average cook or baker to choose from. 

Savory Spice Shop franchisee Sandy Cole encourages customers to sample all of the spices. There are "taster" jars set out next to each item so customers can pour a little in their hand, taste the spice and then let the excess fall to the floor. That adds to the aroma in the store, Cole said.

The shop opens for business at 10 a.m. Sept. 18. It'll be open every day, Cole said: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It is located at 528 N. Milwaukee Ave.

"I'm so excited. This is a dream-come-true for me," said Cole, a former state representative in the 62nd District. "This is one of those jobs that you love coming to every day."

Savory Spice Shop is headquartered in Denver, CO. Cole said all of the spices are ground fresh in Denver and then shipped to the franchises. She plans to order spices once a week.

"Everything is really fresh," said Cole.

All of the spices and herbs are preservative-, gluten- and filler-free, Cole said.

She pointed out some of the unique items in the store, like the Hawaiian Black Lava Sea Salt, which is, as its name implies, black salt. There's also the Tomato Powder, which, when mixed with water, becomes tomato paste. The same goes for the Coconut Milk Powder, which becomes coconut milk when water is added, Cole said. That item is particularly popular for vegan recipes, she said.

Items like freeze-dried red and green bell peppers, along with the sliced, toasted onions, are perfect for using in slow cookers, Cole said.

She expects the Capitol Hill Seasoning (a blend of shallots, salt, pepper, dill weed, parsley and chives) to be popular.

"Once you get this, you will always make sure you have it," said Cole. 

Cole has three slow cookers at the shop and plans to offer samples of various recipes. There are also recipe cards scattered throughout the shop for customers to take home with them. 


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