Blue Moon Opens Tasting Parlor Saturday Night

Bobby McVicker is a plant sterol evangelist. A flavor fanatic. An EVOOlutionary.

When he opened Blue Moon Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar just before the 2012 holiday season, McVicker told Patch “The things we grew up on, most of the time, they’re not olive oil.”

And he swears that once people try his imported olive oils and infused balsamic vinegars that they'll start to imagine different possibilities.

So in that spirit, McVicker will open the Blue Moon tasting parlor at 7 p.m. Saturday night, the first of an ongoing series of regular weekend tastings that he hopes will help the curious to see greater possibilities for his ingredients. Tastings after this week will be held at 6:30 and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Cheese Etc. will provide some suggested flavor pairings for the grand opening. Owner Gina Horlacher said she's excited to consider how some of the infused vinegars at Blue Moon might work with her cheese spreads.

People are welcome to bring a bottle of wine as they enjoy cooking demonstrations and new recipe ideas. The space is also available for private get-togethers and networking events, McVicker said.

He's making the most of what Collingswood has to offer by bringing local artists' work into his space, and looking for similar opportunities to partner with other businesses.

It's a welcome move, said Horlacher, who pointed out that in a town that has monthly wine-and-cheese events in the form of Second Saturdays, she's surprised Collingswood business owners don't call her up more often—especially as the store offers wholesale pricing for other merchants.

"I just don't think people think to support the guy around the corner," Horlacher said.

In the end, McVicker said he just hopes visitors have a good time. 

"We're open for business; [but] I don't really care if you buy anything," he said.

That's a man convinced of the quality of his product.

Blue Moon Premium Olive Oil and Vinegar is located at 721 Haddon Ave. in Collingswood.