Tea lounge to open second location as part of West Charlotte revitalization
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary, an herbal tea lounge that’s become a third space for those looking to unwind and unplug, will soon open a new location in west Charlotte’s McCrorey Heights neighborhood.
As part of Historic West End Partners’ “Thrive” revitalization, Pauline’s second tea bar will operate out of a cozy yellow house at 1017 Beatties Ford Road. A grand opening is planned for early January.
Best known for its eco-sourced loose-leaf teas such as spiced Indian chai, lemon ginger and elderberry echinacea, Pauline’s is much more than a tea shop. From the warm inviting décor to the soothing aroma of diffused essential oils to the locally-sourced pastries and sandwiches, the business opened its original location on Arty Avenue in July 2019 to offer a safe place for people to “refuel and gain respite from the busyness of life,” said owner Sherry Waters, who named the shop after her Grandma Pauline.
“In my previous roles as a community chaplain and in nonprofits, I saw a theme of people feeling depleted,” Waters said. “I created The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary as a place where people can gain restoration and enjoy a cup of serenity. Tea helps you slow down, and there’s sort of a sacredness to teatime.”
She chose to include “apothecary” in the name as a nod to the healing support of the herbal tea, as well as aromatherapy offerings and sense of companionship that contribute to this holistic experience. The shop regularly hosts holistic wellness practitioners for yoga, meditation, music and other events.
Nod to Black ancestors
The Beatties Ford shop will have the same ambiance as the current location, with comfy couches and ample seating surrounded by local artwork. It will include a separate tea tasting room for intimate gatherings or for patrons interested in meditation ceremonies with tea.
“We’ll also highlight the ancestral linkage to African American tea houses and their relevance as a gathering spot to empower communities,” Waters said.
The new location is part of a broader initiative to revitalize the West End corridor by bringing in new Black-owned businesses to uplift the community, said J’Tanya Adams, founder and executive director of Historic West End Partners.
“We have several new businesses going into that same block, in keeping with our master plan focused on the Oaklawn district of Historic West End,” Adams said. “We’re all excited to see them start to open and become a reality. Pauline’s is my go-to place. It’s so different from a coffee shop, with more of a relaxed, calm space.”
Other businesses planned for the area include Family Mankind Counseling, 704 Cleaners and Black Pearl Vision, which offers “designer eyewear that Black designers made for our features,” Adams said.
A “food experience” is also planned, Adams said, with Premier Chef and Bite Your Tongue Authentic New Orleans Cuisine set to open early next year.
The Pauline Tea-Bar Apothecary
Location: 1017 Beatties Ford Rd Charlotte, NC 28216 (opening January)
Location: 2326 Arty Ave, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Loose-leaf teas, pastries, sandwiches
Instagram: @thepaulineteabar
