Two new businesses recently came to downtown Shawano; both sharing the same address, under the same roof and operated by the same co-owners.
Anew Tea Emporium and Antiques, at 105 S. Main St., offers loose leaf specialty teas and consigned fine home furnishings, high quality antiques, and new retail home décor.
“I thought it was a nice pairing,” said Cindy Van Belkom, who owns both businesses with her husband, Andre.
The tea emporium opened June 20 and was followed three weeks later by an antique furniture design center.
“The name that I chose for the shop is Anew, which means again and again, and our Celtic butterfly logo means rebirth,” Van Belkom said.
The design center offers new, re-purposed and consigned antique furnishings.
“It’s a great fit for downtown Shawano being that we are a tourist area,” Van Belkom said.
Loose leaf teas — as opposed to consumer tea bags — are increasing in popularity in the United States, according to Van Belkom. They are already popular in many other countries.
“People are just realizing all of the health benefits in the United States,” Van Belkom said. “Even physicians now are prescribing loose leaf teas to their clientele.”
Van Belkom, who said she has had a passion for loose leaf teas since high school, hopes to share that passion with Shawano.
“We’re here to educate and add enjoyment to the community,” she said.
The store has about 70 different types of tea and a line of 15 spa teas. There are anywhere from three to seven teas a day available for tasting at the emporium and, on certain days, also samples of gourmet treats, jams and jellies.
Van Belkom hopes to add some specialty coffees as well.
The store has also been doing some “impromptu tea classes,” Van Belkom said, and a regular monthly schedule of classes is planned that will include tea tastings and discussions about the history of tea and its health benefits.
A few special events are also being planned, including an Alice in Wonderland tea for Octoberfest.
“It’s all coming together. I’m very pleased,” Van Belkom said. “Shawano has received us very well and everyone is excited that (the store) is here.”
The antiques section of the business also has its own special offerings, including interior decorators on staff to assist with decorating needs and to educate customers on the latest design trends.
“I’m really happy because I’ve provided five new jobs in the community,” Van Belkom said, “and I’m looking to grow that number.”
Van Belkom, who has lived on Legend Lake since 1995, said she loves Shawano.
“It’s a nice little town,” she said. “I love Main Street. It’s a quaint little main street. We’re really very, very pleased to be here.”
Anew Tea Emporium and Antiques is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
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