Urban Olive & Vine Makes the World Smaller

is still in its inaugural year but a strong identity has been created.

Timm opened her store in July 2010 downtown in one of the city’s oldest buildings.

“The space has such character and charm and it lends itself beautifully to what I wanted the space to be,”said store owner Kay Timm. “As a bedroom community of the Twin Cities and a resort town on its own, Hudson is the best of both worlds for my store.”

Timm said her favorite dish is a smoked salmon cooked plate with filets of smokes salmon, chopped eggs, onions and greens served with dilled cream cheese, capers and fresh baguettes.

 “I’d describe the cuisine as American bistro,” Timm said.

The menu includes olive oil from the west coast’s golden state of California, vinegar and pasta from Italy and local cheeses, jams and jellies. In addition to getting a meal at Urban Olive & Vine, the ingredients to mimic a homemade meal are also for sale.

“I have a great chef with the wonderful ability to pair foods and wines together,”  Timm said. “Everything we sell in the store we serve in the restaurant and with the chef right there he’s on hand to answer questions. You can be inspired while you’re there and take it home with you and do something more on your own in your kitchen.”

The customers, she said, have been supportive and enthusiastic about Urban Olive & Vine.

“The people are well educated and they’ve traveled. When they come in they appreciate the experience they’re getting,” she said.

Making the meal more than a nutritional opportunity, creating an experience includes patio dining, live music on weekends, local products, a monthly food theme with featured menu items (June is strawberries) and a wine bar. This summer customers can order a picnic meal and take it from the store to have at their favorite spot.

“When people leave I want them to leave saying ‘that was a fun experience,’” Timm said. “Whether that means they enjoyed the experience, the food or the wine, or all of it, I want it to be enjoyable.”