Having noticed the store six months ago, I mentioned this to my cousin as we walked in the door. The owner, standing at the register, quickly chastised me saying it had been eight years in that unique tone certain men can adopt towards women who they feel require immediate correcting. As she gravitated toward the Balsamic vinegars, he approached my cousin offering her a sample. Lemon infused, I could tell by the look on her face she was underwhelmed. Clearly peeved at the lack of enthusiasm on her part, he asked in a rather supercilious tone where she bought her vinegar. " Not the grocery store I hope." As he proceeded to mansplain vinegar to her, I quietly return to the shelves the several items I had picked up to purchase. She looked over her shoulder at me and gave me that look that people do, which says., "Help me get away from this fool!" I was in total agreement that we could both happily do without overpriced pasta, Maine-branded tchotchkes, and less-than stellar bottles of vinegar, unsurprisingly priced at some ungodly amount that would feed a family of four dinner. A dinner that would include salad, dressed with balsamic vinegar from the (Oh Horrors!) grocery store. read more
