Greensboro, North Carolina-based tea shop Vida pour Tea offers a serene tea experience that centers around wellness. Located just North of downtown Greensboro in a historical building that was built in the 1930s, it is a good place for de-stressing and taking time for oneself.
Owner Sarah Chapman’s introduction to tea happened while shewas an adolescent in Upstate New York. She was an avid ice hockey player andused to have tea with her dad after matches. “Our ritual was going out toChinese and Japanese restaurants wherever we traveled and my favorite thing todo in the cold weather was drink tea. It was like my reward after games. Teaholds a special significance for me and it’s a thing of comfort,” said Chapman.Tea helped relieve her anxiety and soothe her stomach.
Chapman graduated from college in Greensboro, North Carolinaand though Afternoon tea and sweet tea were available, she noticed the simple accessto high-quality tea was missing.
During her studies in the University of North Carolina atGreensboro’s Apparel Product Design and Merchandizing program she studiedabroad in Thailand where she learned about its clothing industry, “That reallygot me interested in trying to find a way to work with fair trade, specifically,”said Chapman.
Additionally, her allergies inspired her to study under anaturopath and learn more about health and wellness.
She initially worked in graphic design and then begansharing her love of tea by teaching people about it in their homes and hostingtea tastings at local businesses. She taught about the tea plant itself, aswell as herbal teas and the potential benefits of each component of a blend.She wanted to make tea’s wellness benefits accessible to everyone.
She decided create space that brought tea and wellness together in a comfortable and calming environment—a space that embodies the feelings tea induces. She opened Vida pour Tea in July of 2014. The name is a play on the Spanish saying, “Vida por ti,” which means “life for you.” “The name combines the tea and wellness aspects and fit perfectly for me,” Chapman said.
Chapman has just over 100 teas and tisanes in her inventoryand prioritizes sourcing organic, fair trade teas from about 15 distributors. “Thereis something for everybody,” said Chapman, who offers a variety of teas from high-endpu-erhs to her own blends, such as “Apple Pie.” She assists her customers whoneed guidance towards certain teas that can help with different health issuesto create a customized wellness experience. Customers can also create their owncustom blends based upon their needs. Currently, the most popular tea is one thatis meant to help with allergies.
“I think my tea house is different because it’s almost like a reverse coffee shop. It’s done in a way that is casual,” said Chapman.
The tea shop has well-spaced tables in the front wherepeople can relax or work, if they choose. A wellness lounge resides in the backwhere people study, meet for book clubs, and practice kirtan. The clientele iseclectic and includes students, men and women. “Every type of person you couldimagine is there and is happy to be there and unwind,” said Chapman.
She also sells gluten free and vegan treats sourced fromlocal bakeries, as well as teaware, locally made pottery, tea towels and skincare products containing tea.
“I hope customers feel like they’ve found a place that istheir spot that they enjoy and want to share with a special friend or family, aspace that makes them feel comfortable and where they can slow down a littlebit and really trust the ingredients in everything from the food to the tea andbody care items,” said Chapman.