Olive Juice Gifts Is Thankful For Community Support

In 2011, Erin Briscoe graduated with a marketing degree from Ole Miss determined to make a lifelong dream of opening a gift store come true. Being young and having nothing to lose, Briscoe decided she was going to use her saved up money to open a store in Oxford, Mississippi.

Once some space on the Square became available, Briscoe immediately jumped on the opportunity. The only thing missing was a name. After a long night of brainstorming with names dancing in her head, Briscoe texted her mother goodnight and a phrase they often said to each other “Olive Juice.“ The phrase to the two sounds like and means, “I love you.” With no hesitation, Briscoe immediately knew what the name of her store was going to be.

Five years later, Olive Juice sits on the Square between Cicada for Her and Insomnia Cookies. Briscoe is proud to see her store come such a long way. She wants her store to be unique and different from other stores by focusing on customer service.

Erin Briscow wants her store to be unique and different from other stores by focusing on customer service.

“We will go and try to do anything and everything we can to make you happy and enjoy what you have chosen to give someone, or what you have chosen for yourself,” Briscoe said.

Customers are often in for a treat when they walk into Olive Juice. Briscoe tries her hardest to make sure all the items in her store have a meaning behind them and are made from creative local and non-local vendors.

The store is stocked with home décor, paintings, jewelry, gourmet mixes, holiday decorations, candles and grab-n-go items. But, there is one surprise that Briscoe said everyone enjoys: The Rebel Room. This room is located all the way in the back of the store. Inside the room, there is a diverse selection of rebel, Oxford and Ole Miss themed paintings, ornaments, décor and much more.

Sales associate Kendra Mahr said she has enjoyed working alongside Briscoe and tending to customers. For her, she wants to make customers feel welcomed.

“I love bringing happiness and joy to our customers,” Mahr said. “Love to hear them say how much they love Olive Juice.”

Briscoe says the store is still really young, but there are several ideas in the making. She hopes in the future that she can expand the store or add another location. As for now, she is appreciative for the support in the community.

“My Oxford customers have been so supportive and helpful and that really helps me grow as a store and as a person,” Briscoe said.

Maggie McDaniel is a senior journalism major at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media. She can be reached at maggiemcdaniel93@gmail.com.