M’CHIGEENG—Have you ever noticed in any film or TV show, if something upsetting happens, one of the characters inevitably says, “I’ll make us some tea.” Why? Because tea is the commonsense solution to just about anything that ails you. Fortunately for M’Chigeeng, Bittersweet Tea Co. has opened in their midst, ready to make a perfect cup of tea. No matter the mood you’re in or the mood you want, they’ve got a tea for that.
“For a long time, I always wanted to have my own little café,” Shanna Hare, owner of the shop, explained, “and when I was younger, it was going to be a coffee shop. But, three or four years ago, I mistakenly bought decaf coffee. I was very disappointed, but I felt I should drink it anyway. Surprisingly, I felt amazing that day, and from then on, I switched to decaf and then, eventually, I switched to tea. I had been doing a lot of research on the benefits of tea and I never looked back.”
Bittersweet Tea Co. opened its doors on June 29 with a soft opening because Shanna Hare was working alone at that time and didn’t know what to expect. It was the perfect time to open, and the shop has had a successful, busy summer. Ms. Hare plans to stick to the same hours even now that summer has passed. “I have some loyal local customers, and I want to keep the hours consistent for them.” Those hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm, closed Monday and Tuesday.
During COVID Ms. Hare began to think about future goals. COVID made everyone slow down and it was during that time she began to research tea. “For me, tea is about sipping and savouring and relaxing, and that’s what life should be about.” So many people grab a quick coffee and rush, she wanted to have a place with a calming atmosphere. “I wanted people to be able to relax, visit with friends and enjoy the little things, without being distracted by their cell phones.”
It’s not just about the tea, Ms. Hare has taken pains to create an ambiance where everyone will want to put down their phone, sit, savour and relax. The large, linear fireplace with the multi-coloured flames is instantly soothing as is the soft background music. The arrangement of comfy chairs in front of the fire, and the tables and chairs where friends can gather, creates an inviting space. In addition to the teas, Bittersweet Tea Co. offers tea pots, infusers, mugs, chocolates and more. “I try to have a variety of things, and I try to support Ontario-based businesses,” Ms. Hare explained. And then there are the baked goods. “I do some of the baking, but my daughter-in-law helps with that too.” Her daughter-in-law, Caleigh Quinlan, bakes the butter tarts, which won first prize this summer in the butter tart competition at the Home, Cottage and Culinary Show at the NEMI Rec Centre. It’s difficult keeping those butter tarts in stock, but not to worry, there is plenty of deliciousness to choose from beyond butter tarts.
For over 20 years, Ms. Hare has been employed at Kenjgewin Teg, they were very supportive when she expressed her passion to follow through with this dream and she was provided with a short leave of absence. Although Ms. Hare’s dream of becoming an entrepreneur began many years ago, financial stress and fear of failure seemed to push her dream to the side; Shanna expressed extreme gratitude to her family and friends for their encouragement and support over the past couple of years as she and her husband worked hard to overcome challenges in order for her to pursue her entrepreneurial goal.
“My business focuses on quality tea, that’s what I’m promoting and sharing, and all the benefits that go with that,” Ms. Hare said. “Part of it is, there are so many different teas, I’m still learning, it’s interesting, all the health benefits and the fact that, for the most part, many of them are caffeine free. They’re from a leaf and that’s natural—a positive aspect for me.” On top of that, people coming into the shop suggest new teas to try, and the learning goes on.
Not only is Bittersweet Tea Co. a perfect place to sit, relax, sip and savour, it’s the perfect place to shop for the tea lovers in your life. Because, guaranteed, whatever they’re into, Bittersweet will have a tea for them.
by Margery Frisch
