Savory Spice Shop Celebrates The Sniff Test

The minute you walk into the in Westfield, you know that you are in for a sensory trip down memory lane. The mixture of spices wraps you in a comfy blanket of memories, one triggered after another with every turn down each aisle. You catch a hint of cinnamon, remind you of your childhood, only to have a whiff of curry guide you into an olfactory U-turn that reminds you of a great Indian meal or exotic vacation; as someone opens a jar of cayenne pepper, you're reminded of making veggie enchiladas at home from the first time. All these spices — and hundreds more — are here for the smelling and tasting. It's a feast for the senses and an experience for anyone who loves to cook.

Savory Spice Shop, opened a year ago, is a dream come true for sisters/owners Becky Solheim and Jackie Mittelhammer. They pair always say they always talked about owning a business together and knew that the venture would have something to do with food.  

"My sister was in Colorado and wandered into the original Savory Spice Shop and it was so wonderful we decided to open a franchise.  Eight months after that, we opened here,"  Solheim said.

The original Savory Spice Shop located in Denver was the idea of Mike and Janet Johnson.  In 2004, these avid home cooks were looking for a way to have fresh spices and seasonings all the time and the concept took off.  Today there are 12 franchises and a strong internet sales business.  The store in Westfield is the only one in the Northeast.  Spices are shipped to the store weekly and they package everything in the shop.  

"The main daw is that spices are sold in any amount from bigger jars (4 oz.) to small bags (1/2 oz.)," said Solheim.

The selection is huge with more than 400 whole spices and 140 spice blends. Looking for salt? You'll have a chance to check out dozens of varieties from around the world as well as interesting combinations, such as salt smoked in Chardonnay oak barrels.  

"People can be intimidated by all of the spices we carry," Solheim admits, "but we're here to help. We cater to everyone from chefs in NYC to frazzled moms who just need some inspiration to make something different for dinner."

Throughout the store, there are recipe cards and suggestions of how to use the various spices. If that isn't helpful enough, the employees are as passionate about the products as they are knowledgeable. Everyone cooks with the spices and it isn't uncommon to overhear employees and customers swapping ideas and recipes in the aisles. In fact, customers regularly strike up conversations with each other over different spices and how they use them. It's the communal language of cooking which makes this store so unique and as Becky says, "A cozy happy place for people to shop."