Meet the owners of Yosefa AntiquiTEA, Amalia Yosefa (pictured above) and Corrinne Loucks! Yosefa AntiquiTEA has been open since October. It is the only tearoom in Boone and has much to offer the ASU community (like student discounts!) Yosefa AntiquiTEA has a vast selection of teas, among many other products, from around the world, which are predominately organic and free trade. The owners have also recently added a blending bar where you can blend your own tea! With a comfortable atmosphere for studying and live music on the weekends, Yosefa and Loucks say Yosefa AntiquiTEA is the perfect place to relax or gather with friends. So head on over to Howard Street to check it out!
Q: What inspired you to start this business?
A: We both love tea and enjoy the tearoom atmosphere. In Asian cultures the tearoom is the center of the community, a place for people to gather and share ideas, inspiration, gifts, and talents.
Q: Why did you choose to start a business in this area?
A: Both of us have lived in the Boone area for 9 and 10 years respectively. We truly love the area and our ASU student community.
Q: What kind of products do you sell?
A: We sell about 60 teas from all around the world, many from the countries of origin. We sell our teas by the cup, by the cup to go, by the pot and bulk to take home and prepare. We offer all our teas either iced or hot. Also just about any of our teas are great as tea lattes. We also sell teaware, world clothing both new and vintage, jewelry, wine, locally roasted French pressed coffee, chocolate from the French Broad Chocolate Lounge in Asheville, whom we have a great partnership with, and Pasta Wench pasta. We also offer local baked goods from Edie’s Bakery, a local mother daughter team who bake up grandma Edie’s old recipes. We serve a few savory items including a middle Eastern plate (hummus, pita, stuffed grape leaves drizzled with olive oil from The Art of Oil), Spanakopita, and a cheese platter. All are served with a zesty bowl of olives.
Q: What has the reaction been to your business from the community, namely ASU students?
A: We have many regulars. We love our ASU students! They are so adventurous, always willing to try something new, learn more about tea and just gather and study. The overall reaction has been one of excitement.
Q: Do you put on any other types of events?
A: We participate in Art Crawl, host events for community service organizations, womens groups. We also have live music regularly, art shows and recently hosted a Valentines Day event.
Q: For people that have never been to a tearoom, what would you like to tell them that might make them interested in trying it?
A: Tea is very much like fine wine. Each tea has a complex flavor profile. Tearooms differ from coffee shops in that many of our customers come in to unwind, calm the mind, and re-focus. Many of our guests say they feel a sense of calmness yet a clean alert feeling at the same time. Great conversations and a cup of tea in a relaxed atmosphere make a beautiful combo. We encourage those who have not really explored tea to come in and try it! We think you might be quite surprised!