Opening a Tea Room as part of a Naturals Store
So I am going to be opening up a local Tea Room as part of a naturals store. We’ll be selling all sorts of naturals products from essential oils to handmade soaps, lotions, perfumes, incense, candles, etc. We want to serve tea and coffee (good stuff tho) in a seating area with free wifi as part of the shop.
I have some questions if anyone here runs a tea room.
Any advice on how many tea offerings to start with?
Any advice on pricing? And really, any advice in general on running a tea room.
It will appeal to the local pagan community due to the other things we will be offering. There is a metaphysical store in Birmingham (a good 50 miles from me tho) which is a metaphysical shop/coffee shop. We’re wanting to do something similar but with tea and naturals.
Any barristas are also welcome to give any advice on making drinks and serving them.
I would recommend starting with more flavors than straight teas just in general. If possible, do a few focus groups with local pagan groups. It also might be nice to do seasonal teas for each Sabbat and focus on using ingredients that go along with that particular Sabbat.
The tea flavours could contain herbs/ spices associated with that specific Sabbat. Don’t really have any other ideas besides the ones for Samhain and Yule should be kinda spicy. Beltane could maybe be rose or strawberry.
It really is a good idea. Seasonal offerings will likely excite people. I think something minty for Yule ;)
Anything in the darker months (Autumn/ Winter) could be black or puer blends. The sunnier months could be herbals, with a couple greens for Spring.
I would say about 7-10 each of black and green, maybe 6-8 herbals, and 3-5 each of oolongs and whites and maybe 1-2 puerhs. I’d say 1-2 unflavored of each kind and about half dessert type and half fruity type for the rest of each kind. I’d say $5ish each for 2oz of cheaper kinds, and $10ish for the more expensive. More if prices in your area are higher. And 3-4ish for teas in store.
Super excited for you Arsh! (:
I don’t know anything about tea shops or Pagan offerings but my first thought is to make sure you hav really good tea storage and keep it far away from any of the smelly things (incense, oils, etc). You wouldn’t want to either contaminate the tea or confuse the customers tastes when smelling or drinking.
Are you thinking of offering tea to drink in house or to take home? Both? Loose or bagged (of higher quality) or both? How to store the tea in store and on the awy home if you’re selling it, how to serve it if you’re doing hot or cold beverages in house. Also there might be food department regulations and so on to be followed. I don’t expect you to answer any of this, but they are some things to think about. Best of luck, it sounds awesome, and like a great place to browse and see and smell awesome things. If I were collecting my favourite things in a store, I’d love tea, candles, journals, scarves, awesome pendants/jewelery and locally made soaps, lotions, etc. Mmm!
I know you are going for the pagan community but I would suggest carrying American Classic from Charleston Tea. It is the only American tea plantation. I think Bigelow owns it now. Might be an option for tourists or locals new to tea.
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