Since opening its doors almost a year ago, Olives and More on Perry Vale has quietly built a devoted customer base – and Carla Amaro and her business partner, co-owner Filipe Cruz, are now preparing to mark their first anniversary with a celebration for their loyal clientele.
The shop offers what the owners describe as a “Mediterranean concept,” with a focus on premium extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars, chosen not only for their flavour but also for their health benefits.
Carla told the News Shopper: “It’s like a little community here and we know almost everyone.
“People come here to meet others, and they start making friends.
“My favourite thing about working here is the people of Forest Hill.”
“We are really passionate with both, but we also do a bit of everything.
“We bring the best of the Mediterranean here – Portuguese, Greece, Spanish, Italian, and more.”
Filipe echoed this sentiment, describing the deli as a kind of European crossroads for food lovers.
He told the News Shopper: “It’s a mix, we also sell a lot of pasta and tomato sauces and have a counter with fresh food.
“We’re famous for our beef lasagne, sandwiches and different types of food which is prepared here.”
The shop has also become a welcome stop for commuters and remote workers alike, thanks to its flexible hours and wide-ranging offering.
“Our shop works well for people who work from home,” said Carla.
“On the weekend we get the clientele from East Dulwich.”
Filipe pointed out the importance of meeting different customer needs throughout the day.
He explained: “We try to serve all the public – we open at 7 and close at 7 on weekdays, and at the weekend we open at 9am and stay until 6.30pm.
“The positive review from this is that we serve people before they go to work, they can have their pastries and coffee, and they can return here for dinner.
“People come in and ask what they can have for dinner tonight.”
The deli has also branched out into catering, bringing its Mediterranean flair to celebrations across the capital.
“We also do catering – this year we’ve done plenty of parties from first birthday parties to parties for people in their 50s,” said Filipe.
Carla highlighted how the shop is as much about community as it is about cuisine.
She told the News Shopper: “It’s a little bit of everything – we have every age group here and help cater for Christmas parties and work with events in London.
“Our background is we have a large knowledge of products and contacts with suppliers.
“We travel and try to bring the best olive oils home.”
Carla and Filipe are particularly passionate about olive oils, sourcing them carefully with a clear purpose.
The olive oils are mostly sent in from Spain, as this Mediterranean country is the biggest producer in the world.
Olives and More also frequently stocks Italian olive oils, known not just for flavour, but also for their health benefits and appeal as gourmet gifts.
The duo’s vision is rooted in offering something special to local people—without requiring them to travel into central London.
Carla added: “Our business is a niche – if you need to buy high quality items you normally have to go to central London.
“But I thought – why can’t the locals have easy access to these ingredients?”
That ethos extends to supporting others in their community, and it’s something both Carla and Filipe are proud of.
“We’re trying to help small businesses too – what you have in here, you can’t produce for supermarkets,” she explained.
“Some of our products are from Forest Hill customers we’ve met – one lady is married to a Greek husband, and we tried their olive oil and now support them.”
Their deli is more than just a shop; it’s a place to stay, chat, and share.
“You can even sit outside our restaurant and have wine,” Carla added – another small touch that reinforces the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere they’ve created.
