Today we’d like to introduce you to Eli Zablosky.
Hi Eli, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m originally from East Dallas, near White Rock Lake, and moved to San Marcos after high school to study marketing at Texas State University. After graduating, I opened a few small businesses, including a coffee shop and the city’s first analog film lab in nearly 30 years.
Not long after, my then-girlfriend (now wife) and I moved to Taos, New Mexico—a close-knit, 1950s-style community where we built connections with local farmers and ranchers. After getting married and welcoming our son, Oliver, we decided to move back to Central Texas to be closer to her family.
Once back in San Marcos, we realized how much we missed having access to locally sourced, naturally grown produce and meats. That inspired us to open Ollie’s Market—a neighborhood grocery rooted in community and good food. My background in business and marketing, combined with my wife’s experience as a private chef, helped turn our shared passion for local food into a brick-and-mortar market across from the university.
Though I didn’t own a business growing up in Dallas, I was surrounded by entrepreneurial families—the DiCarlos, McMahons, Raymonds, and Trents, to name a few. My mother and grandmother still live in the Lakewood/Casa Linda area, so Dallas will always feel like home.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—but that’s part of the story. Every business comes with challenges, and learning to pivot is essential. All of my ventures have been community-oriented and self-funded, so resourcefulness has always been key.
When I started the film lab, it was literally in my in-laws’ attic. I’d spend hours hand-developing film, often skipping family dinners just to finish what I started earlier in the day. It wasn’t the most sustainable setup, but it allowed me to launch with low overhead and early cash flow. To keep things moving, I also took on production work with brands like Meow Wolf, Camel, Chevron, and ESPN.
Those experiences taught me how to stay adaptable and build from the ground up—skills that carried directly into launching Ollie’s Market, which began as a crowdfunding campaign. To my surprise, many of the first supporters were old friends from high school and even middle school.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ollie’s Market?
Ollie’s isn’t part of a big-box empire—we’re your independent, neighborhood grocer, rooted in the rhythms of San Marcos. We believe in good food, local sourcing, and building something small on purpose.
We’re known for local and regional staples, from produce grown by student-run Bobcat Farms to locally baked sourdough focaccia and Wangus beef—a Wagyu-Angus cross. Our focus is on truly good food: seed-oil-free cooking, wholesome offerings like coconut cherry chia seed pudding, and our popular matcha lattes.
What sets us apart is our commitment to both quality and intention. My wife and I are proud to stick closely to our original vision: providing the city with the kind of whole, nourishing foods we ourselves wanted. At Ollie’s, everything we offer is a reflection of that care, community connection, and love for food done right.
What’s next?
I’m planning to pursue a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing starting in the new year. For now, I’m focusing on stability, especially with the birth of our son, which has helped me reposition toward a more sustainable direction.
Looking ahead, I’d love to see Ollie’s Market grow within San Marcos, expanding our offerings and turning more community members into weekly shoppers. I envision this through partnerships, grab-and-go outposts, and catering small to mid-size events around the Hill Country, always keeping the focus on quality, locally sourced food and strong community connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopolliesmarket.com
- Instagram: olliesgoods
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizablosky
- Other: https://zablosky.com
