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Jan de Luz Shares his Passions with Carmel B Y M I C H A E L C H AT F I E L D O ne word invariably pops up in any dis- cussion with or about Jan de Luz: pas- sion. He exudes an infectious love of and zest for life, and that's reflected in both his business and personal lives. Native to the Basque region of France, a fascination with the exquisite linens produced there led de Luz to found a chain of linen shops in that country. A chance encounter with Carmel restaurateur Walter Georis led to a 1979 visit. "I particularly remember a barbecue at the Village's Running Iron Restaurant," de Luz says. "It was a taste of the Carmel Valley lifestyle, and having grown up on a steady diet of Hollywood Westerns, I was hooked." He moved to California, opening the first Jan de Luz store in Carmel. A Carmel Valley Village location followed shortly after, to accommodate the French antiques de Luz began importing. Now celebrating his 20th anniversary in busi- ness, de Luz has added olive oil to his product line. "I planted more than 500 Arbequina olive trees on my property," he says, "and now we produce 'Olive Oil No. 13,' a 100 percent organ- ic Extra Virgin oil." A visit to either store is gives one a peek into the passions of Jan de Luz. Dolores btwn. Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 622-7621; and 1 East Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. 831/659-7966. For more information, visit www.jandeluz.com. SHORTCUTS BUSINESS Through his various business ventures in antiques, housewares and olive oil, French transplant Jan de Luz has brought European sensibilities to the Monterey Peninsula area. 100 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 6 Photo: Kelli Uldall