Olio

Very cute little vintage shop not far from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Great selection and the prices aren’t bad. I would love to go back sometime so you can go for me and enjoy!

I love this store. And what’s more important is the owner is A+++. I have been shopping here for years, including when it was at it’s former location on Lighthouse. The other day (May 2, mind you), the owner looked at me and handed me a pair of sunglasses I had left in the store back in December! Now that’s thoughtful! I also must comment on the wonderful selection and presentation of vintage items. It has always been a joy to shop there. I bought a handmade flip doll (two dolls in one) that I absolutely cherish.
NOTE to the owner: Thank-​you for being here, it wouldn’t be the same without you!

Woohoo! The most kitscheiest shop on Alvardo Street… no, in all of Monterey! Fun and just full of the most eclectic stuff on the peninsula… A must visit, see and buy! The owner is very cool and friendly and her displays are over the top awesome

Too cute, tons of awesome trinkets and antiques!
Helped that the owner was giving away cookies and cupcakes as well as having an Easter egg hunt in the store– if you found a hidden chocolate egg you got to keep its

I am not usually a fan of vintage stores because they tend to be overcrowded and too much of a hunt. Olio manages to have wonderful design making it so easy to discover vintage items that I can’t live without. Good customer service.

Fun & unique. But I’d like to see the merchandise refreshed more frequently.

I love this place. Melissa, the owner, who is also a graphic designer has «the eye». She is so creative and has one of the best shops in town.

This place is a find: full of treasures one might find in antique stores on a long road trip, but all in one place. The (new, edible) candy from the 1970s is so great: the wax bottles, the candy button sheets, wax mustaches and lips. The vintage toys are great also. Not a huge selection of kitchen stuff; rather, a large eclectic mix. Just go in. It’s very fun. Nice owner.

If you’re a kid that grew up in the 1970’s/1980’s you will especially appreciate the fabulous finds at Olio.
We’ve been shopping at Olio since 2007 when they were originally on Lighthouse. I normally don’t delight in vintage things, but I have to say that Olio was the shop that changed my mind. Not only were the items a nostalgic boon from my childhood, but the display is inviting and the owner is so friendly. The prices are also reasonable in my opinion.
One of my first finds was this fabulous globe light similar to one I had growing up, but this one has a painted girls face and a frilly collar. So whimsical and fun, I left without purchasing it, but emailed the owner the next day and inquired if it was still available, paid via CC and she held it until I could make a trip out there again (which was at least a month). That was in 2007 and we’ve been going back since.
Two of my favorite finds are a vintage microscope and the piece de la resistance… a set of mini plastic houses in which you put a light in the back and display during the holidays. It was nearly just like the set my mom had (only better because these are plastic. my mom’s set was a cardboard type).
On our most recent visit to her new shop, I managed to suppress hysterical joy at having found a Kenner’s Spirograph just like the one I had growing up. I was tempted, but did not buy those diorama decorative Easter eggs from days of yore. What tickled my fancy even more was that the owner remembered me from my plastic Christmas house purchase which was at least 3 years ago. How delightful is that?!
So, if you like finding little treasures from your childhood or are just looking for something funky and fun, do yourself a favor and wander into Olio.
PS — I will post photos of my fab finds soon!

Great deals at a super cute vintage store.

*Be sure to note their new location is downtown Monterey, next to the Jamba Juice! (I was looking for them in PG)
Olio is fun and festive. It’s currently full of Christmas-​themed antiques (with some alternate themes as well) and while the showroom is small, you can tell that a lot of thought went into the choices available. The owner was very sweet and totally excited when I started telling her about our wedding theme… vintage travel. She made a list of things I’m searching for and took my email so she could contact me. She changes the store items out every month or so… which gives me an excuse to return often! I also love the old-​school candy options.
I got several Christmas gifts there, but as it’s only December 21^st, I can’t reveal them! Upcycle and get nostalgic, meaningful, unique gifts!

CLOSED – for now. They’re moving, and predicted to reopen in a new location in September.
I’ll give them a visit then.

I’ve strolled in here a couple times and I picked some vintage cookbooks from the 70s. On my last visit I picked up some rustic badges in hopes to be a naughty vintage Girl Scout or Brownie for Halloween but I couldn’t remember for the life of me where I put my little badges. Ughh… it’s sucks getting old. I can never remember anything. I’m not even a stoner. Fun and unique vintage shop with good energy.

This place is right next door to my work. I decided to come here on my break, and loved this little charming store. This store is very eclectic, it has vintage toys, books, postcards, alot of cool retro stuff. I bought some 1950s postcards for afew bucks. Come check this place out

The only phrase that comes to mind (though it bothers me to admit it) is: Super Cute!
Another bay house-​turned-​business, each room of Olio is neatly packed with knicks and knacks. There is a really good mix, but not much in the wearables department. Also deftly camouflaged between 50s crockery and late 19^th century books are replica art and gifts.
The best thing about Olio, though, is the prices. This place knows their goods and does not think too much of themselves. Anyone can find something they can afford. That is vintage fun for everyone.
(Well, except for maybe the handicapped –stairs only up to the door.)

Shabby chic antiques at their finest. Not stuffy and pretentious like a lot of other places around here. Focus is on early and mid century items. Great selection of old matchbooks and traveling bar ware sets. Cool little tiki area and a lot of old toys. Prices are pretty amazing for an antique store. Found a ceramic Siamese cat from the early 50’s for my wife and it only set me back $ 35. She loves it. It’s name is Olio.
Oh yeah, they usually have a booth set up at Farmers market on Tues. Check that out too. Neat stuff. Great deals.

Big and bright, the word FUN welcomed me as I opened the door to Olio. A fabulous antique store on Lighthouse Avenue, I felt as though I was back in my grandmother’s house. Unlike the other antique stores that can feel cramped, overwhelming and downright dusty, Olio is a spot of sunshine.
Olio has a space dedicated to the art of sewing filled with sewing boxes, patterns for dresses, skirts and aprons. The garden space has a fun collection of gardening books, my favorite of which is the gold Better Homes & Gardens book on gardening.
By far, my favorite part of Olio is the eclectic array of kitchen and cooking treasures; the heart shaped cookie cutters, the antique muffin tins, the plethora of serving trays ~ did I mention all of the fun cooking kitchen gadgets! I picked up a great little cookbook with a yummy apple spread recipe. I had to leave all the other well picked cookbooks so there is plenty to choose from.
As I paid for my purchase, the shop owner, Melissa, who has great taste and is the person responsible for the great array of fun things displayed and sold throughout Olio, offered me an old fashioned gumball… the cherry to top my Olio experience.
If you want a great antique experience with quality items to choose from or if you just want to experience the cutest little shop in the Monterey area, visit Olio. And about the prices… I learned of Olio at the farmers market where I purchased a well kept book for $ 2. I was impressed with the quality and so pleased with the vintage prices as well!!!

Cute retro antique shop! The perfect place to find a one-​of-​a-​kind gift. This isn’t a typical antique shop with boring old furniture and china, but the focus is more on 20^th century cool/​hip/​retro stuff.
As with most antique stores, most of the stuff is pricey pricey (thus minus one star), but I wouldn’t say that Olio is outrageous.