Mapleberry Tea Room & Lounge To Open This Saturday in Dania Beach

Tea lovers have a new spot to chill, relax and of course drink a variety of teas. Last month, Mapleberry Tea Co. announced they’d be hosting their official grand opening of their retail tea store. This Black woman owned company will provide a beautiful experience that highlights teas from around the world. The grand opening will take place August 15, 2020 at their new location in Dania Beach, just a few miles from Fort-Lauderdale airport.

Mapleberry Tea Co., founded by Ashaunti Clemons, will launch with a weekend full of joyous events and will be open to the public. Clemons said this company allows her to combine her passion for teas as well as build wealth for her family. She noticed the lack of retail and lounge locations for tea in the market and decided to do something about it.

“I have always loved drinking different kinds of teas and the culture it promotes. For me when I drink tea, I become calm and peaceful and I enter a place of joy and happiness. So I wanted to create a space that would provide that experience for people,” said Clemons. “There are so many coffee places around, but not many places that sell tea and products related to tea. And so many people love drinking tea. They deserve a place to indulge in that. And just like what they did with Starbucks, I will do the same with Mapleberry Tea Co. — making it a household name for teas.”

South Florida has a rich history when it comes to Black woman owned tea companies. Clemons is following in the footsteps of a Black women entreprenuer from Miami, named Georgette Scott Campbell.

In 2019 The New Tropic reported, “Georgette’s Tea Room opened in 1940 as a guest house and meeting spot for Black entertainers and community activists. Georgette Scott Campbell opened the tea room after her brief stint in Harlem, where she opened up a tea room before coming back to Overtown.

The two-story building with 13 rooms would serve breakfast, lunch, tea and boarding to visitors and guests. It’s remembered as a significant meeting place for Miami’s Black cultural community.”

Clemons hope to continue the legacy of Georgette Scott Campbell with her new venture.

“What she was able to do even way back then was amazing. I found out about her in doing research for my company and was immediately drawn in. What she probably had to endure as a Black businesswoman in the 1940s and still be successful — I have no choice but to succeed at what I’m doing,” said Clemons.

On Saturday, festivities for the opening will run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Their opening reception will begin at 4 p.m. with tastings of their delicious treats and teas. Then at 5 p.m. they will have their ribbon cutting for their new state of the art tea house. At 6 p.m. the official celebration will commence, where patrons can network and shop throughout the store, all while social distancing and wearing masks. 

Clemons said she created a location that will speak to any tea lover, but she says her tea house and lounge has something for everyone. She carefully selected every design detail of the location to make sure it was in line with her vision that includes a fantasy garden theme. However, she’s been “hush hush’ with the details and wants everyone to come to the opening to see in person what she created.

Clemons has been in business for a few years selling teas directly to consumers, and her customer base is eager to see her new location.

“I absolutely love all the Teas from Mapleberry Tea Co. and I can’t wait until they open their tea room for my friends and I to come enjoy,” said a customer of Mapleberry Tea Co.

Mapleberry Tea Co. recommends RSVPing for the event. To register for the event, click for the eventbrite link. For additional parking options Mapleberry Tea Co. asks that visitors park in the City of Dania Beach Parking Garage. For additional information contact Mapleberry Tea Co. at mapleberryteaco@gmail.com or by phone at 954-947-6565.

The article was written by Janey Tate. Follow Hy-Lo News Editor-in-Chief on Twitter @Janey_Tate, Facebook, and Instagram.

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