A store steeped in downtown Penticton history is staying open and welcoming a new owner.
Teas and Weaves has been a part of the 200 block of Main Street, selling loose-leaf teas, rugs from around the world and Turkish tea lights for more than 18 years.
For those years, Claire Keys and her husband Fritz Hollenbach have been the face of the popular store.
This summer, the couple decided to put the store up for sale, sparking a bit of concern from customers and neighbouring businesses that the iconic shop would shutter.
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled Teas and Weaves has a chapter two,鈥� said Keys about selling the store to realtor Janice Ponc茅 who plans to carry on the shop鈥檚 long-standing traditions.
鈥淪ince we put up the for lease sign in the window, we鈥檝e had a lot of people come in worried we were closing down,鈥� said Keys. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had people come in and say 鈥榶ou鈥檝e got us hooked on teas, you can鈥檛 leave now.鈥�
鈥淚t feels really good to share with the community that we are passing the torch to someone just as passionate about this place as we are. Janice and I have known each other for so many years. We are grateful the store can carry on.鈥�
Ponc茅, who has owned stores in downtown Penticton in the past, said she plans to freshen up the store and add some kitchen and house wears but keep Teas and Weaves as it is. 鈥淧eople really like Teas and Weaves the way it is and it does well,鈥� said Ponc茅.
Tea has grown in popularity, especially after COVID, said Keys.
The store sells more than 150 teas, from black and green to rooibos.
Ponc茅 has already been there for two months learning everything there is and Keys is staying on until the end of the busy Christmas season.
