Tea in Malls

Ahh, the joys of the mall... land of mediocrity. I realized on my last trip to the mall that I finally reached that point where I no longer "get" the mall. Half of the stores I didn't even understand what they sold, the other half had super dim lighting and carried nothing larger than a men's medium.

I think it's worth the effort to go to a real clothing store, a real tea shop, and then a good Italian joint. I'm so un-American.

- Dominic

You forgot to mention pompous.

Teavana is right on for a mall, but misplaced, the best spot for Teavana is between Bose and a mattress store.

Sakkio is tasty but they dont put alot of meat, i do the double meat thing :D yum (i dont think there was Sakkio in Los Angeles malls, but I have nice memories of a Hawaiian? bbq place in a Glendale mall, huge pile of tasty meat)

As it turns out Teavana was opening. It is one of the glitziest storefronts on the mall. Its in a protruding corner with three views. Lots of light and glass making tea pots sparkle. It was quiet busy on a weekday. Nobody hard selling from the floor, everybody just ringing up the 3 registers. I finally got to the front and ordered three teas, Darjeeling, Gyokuro, Tung Ting Jade Oolong. I cant complain except for price. This store specialized in the waif scent experience by fanning the lid while tilting the big round cannisters. One of the dynamics I see similar to a Chinatown shoppe the employee handles the tea. I could still count on a six toe cat the number of unscented teas. The tea cannisters are fixed in the back of the store so all they could do is change teas not add. I would expect in these times Teavana would be another chain going down. No so. Whatever your idea of what a tea shoppe should be, doesnt count, only the customers spending money. All I can hope for is that this store might clue people there are other tea shoppes in town.

Jim

PS u talk> I hadnt been to this one mall in years. I went yesterday and was

And you are a pompous asshole, too. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb.

Ill bet I bought more tea at Teavana than you. I cant pass up a tea store good or bad. Ill probably go back and buy their doubled walled glass matcha bowl for $10. Ill pass on the whisk which cost $$$ extra. The newest Teavana is in one of the malls of the national corporation that just went bankrupt. Interesting what will happen to the residential community that specifically incorporated into a city and annexed the mall so they could obtain the sales tax in lieu of residential property tax. I wont name the group who thought this one up but they had some kutzpah.

Jim

PS I can expla> >

I gave it a shot too (twice actually not including the numerous tea gifts people are sure I will love from there)... I have a similar problem passing up any tea. I think that article was written by a female, but I have no way of knowing her assets. See something like a $10 matcha bowl intrigues me too, but I just won't do it for a couple reasons: The main one is that the employee who sells you that bowl sans expensive whisk or matcha powder is going to take a hit for it (I've worked retail, so even though some may think I'm so pompous it couldn't be further from the truth, and "attachment rate" or whatever the store calls it when an associate doesn't sell accessories - which is where the markup is - stats suffer and pressure is poured on.) the second is that my teaware all has a story or an adventure behind it which is what makes it special, having something from a place I despise and know fully well is exploiting both tea and workers doesn't exactly lend itself to a peacful mood and enjoyment for me.

I've said it before and saying it again, everyone is entitled to differing opinions/outlooks/etc. some may have no moral issue with shopping at Teavana... that's fine, my only aim is to inform people about what may or may not be happening there. I believe that post from the worker was most likely quite accurate and while not all Teavana's fault, most is and most is not in the spirit of why we drink tea. Now, I'm off to brew some of the finest Gyokuro in a gold chalice just to toss it out on lesser passerby.

- Dominic

Interesting Comments on Mall Tea Shops... we have 3 Teavanas that have arrived in the Phoenix metro area in the last 3 years. Although their style is different from many shops I am counting on them to help continue to raise awareness about loose tea. There are still a lot of folks in the US that are new to the loose tea experience.

Bret from Souvia Tea

I may not go again to this mall for any reason, because I discovered they built a huge outdoor section over the Winter. They're now in bankruptsy and you know the contractors will have to settle pennies on the dollar. Upselling who ever hear of such a thing. At least Teavana puts something on the line. Thats more than you can say for websites selling tea.

Jim