The beauty of farmer’s markets is that you have the opportunity to obtain different food and cooking items you don’t normally find in regular grocery stores – specialty barbecue sauces, interesting oils, dipping sauces and more.

But what if you could access some of these items year-round, without having to travel far, and having the opportunity to try the products first?

That was the idea behind Orangeville’s newest shop on Broadway, Taste, The 4th Sense. The store, which features a series of specialty infused oils and vinegars, barbecue sauces, hot sauces, mustards, and cof- fees, also boasts a unique tasting bar where patrons can sample the items before buying them.

“We had a soft opening in August, but our Grand Opening is helping us to gear up for Christmas,” said Gerry Mischuk, owner of Taste. “We’ve had nothing but positive responses from the community so far. Our product is unique, and the quality speaks for itself. It also shows the importance of sampling.”

Mr. Mischuk describes Taste as a unique retail concept that most people haven’t experienced before.

“People go to the grocery store, and they buy something because of the label, but it isn’t necessarily something they end up liking,” he said. “We act as a bit of an editing facility on behalf of our customers. We try to offer the best of the best that we can find, and allow customers to try it before taking it home.”

The enterprise was started by the Mischuks as a manufacturing business for different types of oils and vinegars, where they would produce for specific companies. When they realized that people would like this product, they started selling it whole- sale through different markets. They began selling in St. Jacobs, and business continued to grow.

So why Orangeville? Well, according to Mr. Mischuk, he and his wife have actually been in the area for a while, where they had a little shop in the back of their house. Four years ago, they met Kim Van Ryn, the current store manager and the mastermind behind many of the in-store fusions of vinegar and oils.

“When we moved to Waterloo, the space became available,” he said. “We didn’t want to lose Kim; she is the key. She does a great job. So far over 50 percent of the business in our store is from the oils and vinegars.”

It was when they opened the store front that Mr. Mischuk got the idea to bring in more products to add to the selection.

“We looked into adding hot sauces combined with the oil and vinegars, and so far it’s been a wonderful marriage,” he said.
He added that even if the business becomes insanely popular, they won’t consider moving into a big store concept.

“We don’t have a big store now, and we never will,” he said. “We want to make sure that what we sell is of the finest quality; we don’t want to fill shelves just for the sake of filling shelves.”

This Friday and Saturday, Taste will be hosting their official Grand Opening, where along with offering spectacular samples, they will also be having a sale of 20 percent off everything, recipes to use their products in, door prizes, and appetizers made from products in the shop.

“It’s really simple, come in and sample our products,and if you like it,buy it,”said Mr. Mischuk. “We are planning on having over 30 of our own products with our labels over the next year. Over 70 percent of the store products will have our label.”

The store’s grand opening will be held this Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 from 10 to 5 p.m. at their location at 83C Broadway. For more information, check them out on Facebook at Taste, The 4th Sense or on their website at www.tastethe4thsense.com