Hello, Outer Banks • Taking the Tea Shop Home

For those who know me well, you know my heart has and will always be by the Atlantic ocean. Specifically, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In the past, I have dreamed about having a 2nd location on the beach for the tea shop but I would not have dreamed it would have happened this way.

During the ups and downs of COVID in 2021, Jordan and I have been taking mini-retreats to the beach. Small cottage getaways where we could isolate but also relax. During these trips, we spent a lot of time talking about what if...

As I began to make the hard decision of letting go of my location in Hillcrest, this kept bubbling up for both of us. We explored some options and suddenly doors just began to swing wide open for us to move back to my favorite little island where I grew up.

Opening at Jockey's Ridge Crossing in May 2022 -
​official opening date TBD! 

We found a space with an ocean view and TONS of parking! I honestly cannot express my excitement about the parking lots the shopping center I am moving into offers after years of parking trials and tribulations on the corner of Ash & Kavanaugh. The shop will be retail only - no dine-in. Jordan and I decided this would be best since we still have a lot of uncertainty about COVID 19 impacts going into the next few years. Despite the lack of testing and reporting, the United States is currently in its 6th surge as a nation and as a business owner, I am weary from the constant roller coaster this has brought to my day-to-day operations.

I will be serving 1 hot tea of the day during the summer months and lots of iced tea options. These will be brewed at my off-site kitchen where I will also do all the blending and online orders. The shop itself will be a spot where you can grab a tea to-go, by the jug, or choose from over 100 loose leaf tea blends I create! I've already found local produce & honey so I can be sure to support Carolina farmers and bees!

Little ole me on the OBX circa 1994

Mom and Jessi will be in Arkansas, but they are both excited about my adventure though we are all a little sad. There are already plans for visits and who knows, maybe one day they will join me again on the coast! Jordan will be finishing out his time with Walmart this week. We have some exciting news about his business endeavors (that will be housed in the tea shop with me!!!) in the next few weeks. 

I will continue to offer online shipping like I have been doing for 3+ years now - and I will ship all over the United States! Yes, even the Holiday Spirit Christmas Jars will be available for online ordering later this year - I know many of you have already asked!

Thank you again for your continued support through the transition. I will greatly miss Arkansas and all of the memories this place has held for me in the last 8 years. It's just time to go home, to be happy and free and me. 

My dad took a series of photos in 1992 at Jockey's Ridge of me dancing and playing on the castle. Jockey's Ridge is the largest living sand dune on the east coast. The castle is still buried under the dune - what used to be a themed mini-golf course. You can see the dunes from the front windows of my new shop.
​Full circle, 30 years later.