Our Story

Our Building Has a Past…

Back in 1874 this building housed Armsby’s Pork Packing Plant and in later years served as a carriage livery.  Then in 1902 it became Clarke and Company Grocers, followed by a clothing store and millinery owned by Nick Thabit.  We also know that the second floor once housed a billiards hall.  During World War Two sewing machines were humming away here manufacturing clothing and during the 1930s and 1940s there was a dance studio, individual music rooms and even a stage.  In the late 1940s Martin Motors purchased the building to house and serve as a showroom for DeSoto and Plymouth automobiles.  It was when Martin Motors owned the property that terrazzo was poured over the original pine floors to protect them from oil and grease.  Since then the floors have been restored to their natural beauty.  Martin Motors sales offices were south of our entrance and the existing courtyard between the buildings now serves as our outside dining space during mild weather and for cooking on the smoker grill.  The second floor of the building provides a perfect location for our on-site commercial Bakery where pies, breads and pastries of all types are lovingly made.  Cast your eyes upward to marvel at the intricate tin ceiling.

The restaurant is now called Olivia’s Cookie Jar and Kitchen, named after the owner Rae Conolly’s  first grandchild.  They used to bake cakes, cookies and other goodies together when Olivia was a little girl.  The photo in the restaurant logo is Olivia helping out as a young girl. That homemade baking is the hallmark of  baked goods at Olivia’s today.