The rays of sun shine down on the ribbon cutting
In 2013, Barbie Page convinced Carline Procell, while on a girls trip in Florida, to visit a fresh olive oil tasting shop. 
After tasting the “fresh” oil, they both knew this was something that needed to be explored further. Carline was diagnosed in 2007 with breast cancer and she understood the many health benefits of olive oil and vinegar. She explained to me that olive oil and vinegar both have a long list of health benefits, including containing cancer-fighting nutrients. Carline and Barbie began ordering oils through the mail, learning more about the benefits and flavors. Eventually they attended a conference in California where they were trained to judge and taste olive oil. These gals know their oil and vinegar and want to share their knowledge with the community. Oil and vinegar does mix!
Making healthy eating choices was only part of the journey for Barbie and Carline. The flavors are as important and they want people to learn how to cook with their products.They encourage their customers to understand the tastes and benefits of using Bella Nonnas oils and vinegars. They love to pair oils and vinegars with foods and share the experience of learning, tasting and cooking. In addition to selling oil and vinegar, they offer Olive Oil 101 classes, pairings and cooking demos.
Bella Nonnas says that olive oil is best when fresh and vinegar is best when aged. In fact, most olive oils that are purchased in grocery stores are already rancid and we have become accustomed to low quality. Bella Nonnas’ freshness will surprise you. The oils they sell have been crushed within six months. Their inventory of oil and vinegar includes over 1000 pairings from all over the world, which makes it part of the fun. A few of my favorites were the Dark Chocolate Balsamic Vinegar, Butter Infused Olive Oil, Chipotle Olive Oil, Serrano Honey Balsamic Vinegar and the 18 year aged vinegar. They offer trial sizes, small bottles, large bottles and gift packs of oils and vinegars. Bring your empty bottle back when you finish to get $2 credit toward your next purchase. In addition, they carry salts, soaps books and original pottery by Gretchen Murchison of Natchitoches Online ordering of vinegar and oil is available. (Think holiday gifts)
Bella Nonnas is located at 1409 E. 70th Street, Suite 107-B, Shreveport, Louisiana. Bella Nonnas is a member of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Several restaurants around the area are test serving Bella Nonna products. Ask if you go:
- 2Johns
- L’Italiano
- Roma’s
Want more information about Bella Nonnas Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Bar?
That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes
Barbie Page and Carline Procell, owners of Bella Nonnas Olive Oil and Vinegar Tasting Bar
In 2005, Jim and Cyndi Ragon decided to leave their full time jobs in Minnesota, move to Bossier City, Louisiana and share their love for chocolate at the newly established Louisiana Boardwalk. Ten years later, they have opened two more stores: Cypress, Texas and Huntsville, Alabama. They are committed to bringing life´s goodness in an elegant, personal atmosphere. Their love extends by specializing in the finest chocolate and caramel delicacies covering the largest juiciest fruits and wrapped in the tastiest crunchiest nuts.
Let’s talk strawberries and apple sizes. Have you seen them? Extra large may be an understatement. The Chocolate Crocodile™ special orders their strawberries and apples. Quality is very important to Jim and Cyndi. If they run out of the fruit, there will be no run to the corner grocery. The standards for consistency in size and quality are of the utmost importance.
That Just Happened 