Having a strong German heritage is a pretty good recipe for tea drinking. As was the case with me. I grew up drinking tea as a little girl, but set it aside as I grew older. It wasn’t until our oldest daughter, Olivia, went to college in Chicago and came home with so many varieties of looseleaf tea that it renewed an interest in me. It was no coincidence that I had a desire to open up my own business and I knew that downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa was where I wanted to be. After a lot of planning and family support we opened up our first space in a basement of all places. A cellar. Less than 1000 ft.²
So we actually named it Tea Cellar. The floors were concrete. The walls were limestone. It was quaint and modest and everything I dreamed. Like all dreams, no one person could manage to provide a product where people were introduced to it, learned to love it, and came back for more. Much credit goes to my husband, Dave, who is the backbone of our family. And to our three daughters, Olivia and Alexis and Elizabeth. Their contributions go beyond my expectations.
My friend Lorna Harberts was by my side every step of the way that we had our brick and mortar. I could live five lifetimes and not have a friend as dear as she. And the Tea Cellar brand was perfected by my dear friend Eric Michalowsky who is a designer in Boca Raton, Florida. He and I share an unusual friendship, but he has been a silent partner for all the years that we have been open. He is a genius at what he does.
We moved to 209 State St. in January 2019—we tripled our space above ground and we doubled our business! We had a buzzing café. Friendly and capable staff. And we expanded into over 50 locations that served and/or sold our tea. We provided the public with space. Space to love each other. Space to congregate. Space to have studies or just to get together with friends. Tea was served in pots and cups and saucers were selected off the wall. Pastries arranged from quiche to scones to cheesecake to everything in between.
But in 2026 the decision was made to close our doors and to provide an online service only. One friend said to my husband “I think your wife put the entire community into mourning with the announcement that she made.” We felt your sadness and your disappointment. But sometimes change is needed. We do not have a retail store for folks to shop in but our website allows you to purchase all of your favorite teas and even sample some teas that might become your favorites.
Will we ever reopen a café? Never say never. But for now, let us serve you here. Let us be what you need here. And we will do our best to help you. Enjoy your tea experience at home or at your office or wherever you congregate with friends.
large variety of products
loose leaf, flavorful, and crafted
Over $75 free Shipping
online presence of a beloved tea