Serenitea Opens in Oak Park, Aiming for Tea Appreciation

Oak Park resident Tracy Boone grew up drinking tea. And with a new tea shop in the village, she wants to bring tea education and appreciation to her neighbors. 

Serenitea opened April 20 at 1046 Pleasant St. in Oak Park. Boone and her niece, Heather Mathias, closed their Naperville location about two years ago and couldn't be happier to open a business in their village. 

"The downtown area of Naperville has become more for the franchises," Boone said. "The people here have been really nice. Everybody just walks in and says they’re glad we’re here."

Boone moved to Oak Park about 13 years ago, but moved to Naperville for a couple of years to help take care of her mother. She's originally from St. Louis and lived on the East Coast for about six years, but came back here to be around her family. Mathias grew up in the area and attended culinary school at Johnson Wales. 

“On the East Coast, there’s tons of places to have tea," Boone said. "The Midwest is so cold, you would think we would have a lot. But we’re behind."

She mentioned some growing chains, but said the quality isn’t the same, and it’s harder to "do tea like Starbucks does coffee." She said tea is for slowing own, relaxing and chatting with friends.

Her godfather was from China and said he introduced her to tea. Ever since then, she's been an avid tea-drinker and loves spreading awareness. 

In addition to offering a variety of teas, Serenitea will have a chalkboard menu updated daily with new items, all made fresh. It also has afternoon tea service, and will offer events like tea education, a jazz and tea night and welcome book clubs for meetings.  

Boone said she thinks her business complements others in the Pleasant District community, and she thanked the Oak Park Development Corporation and the business community for their support. 

"I hope we’re a welcomed business to the community," Boone said. "We’re here to talk, we’re here to listen. I’d like to be like Cheers without the beer."

Mother’s Day afternoon tea

• Reservations required: Call 708-660-9670
• Seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• $30 per adult or $15 per child
• Menu features mushroom and brie soup, finger sandwiches, scones, tea bread, pastries and a pot of tea for each person, with two refills. 

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