Oil & Vinegar will be part of local flavor

Oil & Vinegar with that?

Yes, Charleston area residents and visitors might say.

Either Charleston or Mount Pleasant soon will have its own gourmet Oil & Vinegar shop, joining only five other stores in the United States.

New Hampshire residents Richard Samber and his son, Mark Samber, who used to live in this area, are scouting locations on King Street in downtown Charleston or Mount Pleasant Towne Centre for the shop, according to Matt Stermer, chief executive officer of Oil & Vinegar's U.S. operation and a Seattle franchisee.

The Oosterhout, Netherlands-based business has just 75 stores around the world. The local shop will join others in The Woodlands, Texas; Skokie, Ill.; Bellevue, Wash.; Charlottesville, Va.; and Missoula, Mont. Stermer said the Sambers selected the Charleston market because of its demographics and tourists. They hope to open the shop by Mother's Day next year.

Party time

The Gap is going to party like it's 1969.

To celebrate its 40th birthday, all Gap stores nationwide, including three in the Charleston area, will host parties from 7 to 9 p.m. today to launch their 1969 line of premium jeans.

Citadel Mall Gap general manager Beth Walterhouse said the jeans have been completely reinvented with a better fit and finish, and all customers during the two-hour event will get $20 off the jeans plus an additional 15 percent off their entire purchase, including the jeans.

Each store, which started in 1969 selling records and clothes, will also provide live music. Other local stores are at Mount Pleasant Towne Centre and on King Street.

Retail radar

Earth Fare Market & Cafe at 74 Folly Road will offer a Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday with a scavenger hunt for kids, a brain trivia challenge, healthy lunch demos and giveaways.

Also, Blu Restaurant and Bar at 1 Center St. in the Folly Beach Holiday Inn will introduce oceanfront Sunday brunch this weekend from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet-style brunch will include traditional items including eggs Benedict, shrimp and grits, waffles and a carving station. A raw bar with an array of shellfish will also be offered. Bloody Marys, mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice, funnel cakes, crepes and old-fashioned floats are also available from Chef Jonathan Hagins.

In the know? Do you know of a business that is opening, closing or expanding? Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.