By William Smith
Community Editor
When popular downtown eatery Orange Ember closed in October, owners Ashlyn and Travis Long did not consider the decision to be the end but the beginning of a new business venture.
Less than two months after closing the doors on the downtown taqueria, the Burlington couple opened up the Thyme & Spice Company specialty grocery store at 218 Jefferson St., Suite 1D.
“We needed a change of pace. We needed something that was different. Something a little bit easier on the two of us, and a little bit less stress — or at least, a different kind of stress,” Ashlyn Long said.
In much the same way that Orange Ember put a unique spin on tacos and street-inspired food dishes, Thyme & Spice isn’t your typical grocery store. More than 130 spices, many of which were featured at Orange Ember, line the shelves.
Then there’s the homemade pasta, infused oils and vinegar, and maple syrups from Iowa. In fact, 90 percent of all the food items in the store are made in Iowa.
Kombucha (a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea) is also on tap — a treat for the savvy shopper.
“That was the fun part, finding things we wanted to bring in, finding staple items that we wanted to keep all the time,” she said.
The Longs earned loyal customers through Orange Ember, going back to when they operated out of a food tent in 2015. Their initial success led to a food truck and later a brick and mortar location in 2019, which they still occupy as Thyme & Spice.
“Amazingly, they are so willing to support us now, even though this is completely different (from Orange Ember),” Ashlyn Long said.
One of the most unique food items for sale is whole crickets.
They aren’t covered in chocolate, but they are heavily seasoned.
If you prefer not to see your purchased prey while eating, the crickets come in the more heavily disguised forms of protein bars and shakes.
“That’s really big in the fitness industry because they are so high in protein,” Ashlyn Long said.
Orange Ember fans may notice a striking similarity between the interiors of the former restaurant and Thyme & Spice, even though the layout has completely changed.
That familiar orange color is omnipresent in the decor.
The rest of the store maintains an eclectic atmosphere.
Paintings line the walls, featuring popular images such as The Dude from “The Big Lebowski” and Eleven from “Stranger Things.”
“We worked really hard and spent a lot of time creating what we did before, so it didn’t feel right to completely do away with it. It’s so reminiscent of who we are,” Ashlyn Long said.
Thyme & Spice Company officially opened its doors on Dec. 7.
Right now, the Longs have only one resolution, though it encompasses the entirety of their hands-on customer service.
“We want to grow,” Ashlyn Long said.