Hopewell couple buy their dream store

Olsson’s at Trenton Farmers Market has new owners

By: Olivia Tattory
   Not many married couples can say they’ve tied the knot twice.
   Self-proclaimed "foodies" and Lafeyette Street residents Rudie and Jennifer Smit can however – sort of. After meeting in Germany in 1997 while on business, the Hopewell Borough couple spent the next five years in a long-distance relationship as Mr. Smit, who was born in the Netherlands, remained in the U.K. and Mrs. Smit was here in the United States
   "We always knew we were getting married eventually," said Mr. Smit, and that happened in March 2002.
   It was a "registrar wedding" in Metuchen as Ms. Smit termed it, and then a year later the "real thing" with an international theme reception in the backyard of Ms. Smit’s parents’ home in Metuchen. Little did the newlyweds know however that the same store that provided the cheese platter for the reception, would be theirs just four years later.
   On Feb. 1 of this year, Mr. and Mrs. Smit bought Olsson’s, in the Trenton Farmers Market on Spruce Street in Ewing Township. On Thanksgiving of 2006, the Smits learned Olsson’s, purveyors of fine foods, was for sale. After a few visits to the store and learning more about the business, the Smits were hooked.
   "Olsson’s had such an incredible reputation already and we were definitely interested in buying after learning more about the business," said Ms. Smit. "We began working with the owners in the middle of December and every Saturday through January."
   To make for a smooth transition, the Smits were accompanied by the previous owners through February to assist with daily operations. This allowed the 20-year-old store’s 50 or so regular customers to become acquainted with the new owners and vice versa.
   The Smits plan on keeping the basics of the store the same while maintaining the fine reputation for gourmet food and good products it has acquired over the years. A few changes in the store’s look as well as additional services, including a recipe of the week and cheese-tasting classes, are just a few things customers can expect in the coming months.
   The most exciting part of owning a business for the Smits is "being our own boss."
   As a result, Mr. Smit is able to visit his three children by a previous marriage, Chloe, Lauren and Niamh, who live in Worcester, England, on a regular basis, something that is very important to him. The corporate world did not allow for this flexibility and made it difficult because of the lack of vacation time.
   The interaction with different people who have been coming to the store for 20 years is also something the Smits value.
   The most challenging aspect for the couple was the product knowledge needed to assist with all facets of the business from inventory and ordering to assisting customers on cheese varieties. Challenging patrons to develop a taste for items that they might not be familiar with is also something that is exciting for the Smits.
   "Running a successful business and meeting new people," said Ms. Smit. "A balance between the two is something we are striving for."
   The store is open year-round from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday’s.