Coronavirus Check-In: Herndon Tea Lady Still Afloat
HERNDON, VA — It's been over six months since Patch first spoke to Rachel Eisenfeld, owner of The Elden Street Tea Shop, about how she was keeping her small business afloat during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
After Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued his stay-at-home order, Eisenfeld, like many other Herndon small business owners, saw all of her walk-in traffic dry up, forcing her to shift to taking online orders for delivery and shipping. She also established a website where people could donate to help keep the shop's lights on.
"I get emails from customers every day saying how much they missed the tea shop and they can't wait to come back, and that really does kind of keep me going," Eisenfeld said, back in April.
Eisenfeld recently answered a few questions about how her business has weathered the past six months as Virginia has slowly reopened:
How has your business fared through Phase 2 and now Phase 3 of Virginia's phased reopening?
We treaded water with the help of our customers putting in amazing order for tea. We closed down the shop from March 15-June 12 and were focusing on delivery and shipping orders during that time. After June 12, we offered pickup at the store and outdoor seating. We now offer pick up at the store, in-store shopping for retail and loose leaf tea only, outdoor seating only, shipping and delivery. This setup is not anticipated to change until the pandemic is over. Our shop is just too small to have people sitting inside the shop. We have amazing standing heaters outside in our beautifully renovated tea garden. Our fairy tent is very pleasant. We encourage all guests to bring a blanket and enjoy the tea warmers on the table.
What changes have you been able to make in these new phases?
Since the pandemic, we have changed so many times. We are doing a lot more focusing on online orders. We are also fulfilling a lot of local corporate gifts. Abrams Landau Law in Herndon is a regular customer of ours and was the inspiration for getting more into the business of corporate gifts. We also are offering wine in addition to tea in the evenings with our Winedown Weekends.
For the holiday season, we are offering a brand subscription tea box service called Inclusivitea, which focuses on partnering with local and national organizations that work to bring inclusiveness to different populations of people. Each month, the customer will receive a new box of tea and get to learn about an organization that they might not know about. The custorer will be able to donate right to that organziation. With each tea subscription or tea purchased, a portion of that purchase goes to the organization.
How would you compare your current state to pre-coronavirus times?
Before the pandemic, we were projecting 50 percent better than last year at the same time. We lost all that gain in the months following the pandemic. We are still treading water. We are looking forward to the holiday season and hoping that will help get us through the beginning of next year.
Is there anything else you'd like to say to the Herndon community?
We are very thankful for our community and state support. My shop looks different and I miss the stories and the laughs shared over cups of tea, but I know this is temporary and we will get back there eventually. For now, we will pour a cuppa tea and keep hanging on.
Also see ...
Tea And Sympathy In The Time Of Coronavirus
This article originally appeared on the Herndon Patch
