The other day we were at this specialty store, which I believe is some sort of chain, that pretty much sells nothing but olive oil and vinegar.

A little bit of organic skin care (also olive oil based!) and some honey too, but pretty much just OIL AND VINEGAR.

They were selling a half liter of Portuguese, French imported extra virgin olive oil (not even organic) for over fifty dollars. In a very pretty gold jar with a real cork I might add. But, I mean - how does a store like that make it? Is there a market for such a product at that price?

The clerk did tell us that they had sold out of all their organic (edible) olive oil for the season. How much did that stuff cost? Two hundred dollars a liter?

It seems astonishing that in this recessionary market such places could keep their doors open, but they apparently are - at least for now.