On Saturday, March 30 from noon – 9 p.m., The Scented Leaf is hosting the Grand Opening of its new location at 6610 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
The Tanque Verde Road location is easy to spot, too. Local muralist, Joe Pagac, painted a brand-new design on the east side of the building — a giant octopus is rockin’ out alongside the iconic flying whales seen in other murals in Tucson.
Two years ago, Tino’s Pizza closed its doors after more than 35 years in the same building, so it’s always great to see another local business take over. Beginning this weekend, the space will soon be filled with hot teas, colorful cold teas, coffee, and other concoctions.
Hey, there’s even going to be adult beverages and sandwiches by locally owned FatBoy Sandos.
“We’re super excited,” said Shane Barela, co-owner of The Scented Leaf. “We’re going to have all sorts of fun stuff going on — lots of games, prizes, and of course, our teas. We also have beer and wine this time! We really have some cool stuff to show you.”
The idea to create a modern tea house in Tucson came to Scented Leaf owners and University of Arizona Alumni, Shane and Adrienne Barela, years ago during their honeymoon in Spain. While there, they discovered loose-leaf tea in a little shop outside a cathedral in Granada.
After learning more about the health benefits and delicious flavor of tea leaves vs. conventional bagged tea, they knew it was something they had to share back home.
Since 2010, Tucsonans have frequented the flagship store on University Blvd. and Park Ave. as a favorite social gathering and studying spot. They’ve also had a second home on Congress Street next to the Rialto Theater and Proper Shops, with a fun downtown vibe.
“This is a space for the community and has been for a long time,” said Barela. “We want to continue to bring people together around delicious tea, food, and great music like we’re known for, not to mention stellar service because these are the little things that matter.”
The Scented Leaf is located at 308 E. Congress St. and 943 E. University Blvd. #165, and 6610 E. Tanque Verde Rd. (opening Saturday, March 30). For more information, visit thescentedleaf.com.
Article written by:
Hannah Hernandez
More about HannahOne of Tucson’s distinguished media creators, Hannah Hernandez, also known as Death Free Foodie, navigates the realms of digital imagery, video editing, and photography.
The trajectory of Hannah’s life changed in 2017 when she adopted a vegan lifestyle, which invited new ways of relating to food and its sources. Choosing to start with sources most immediate to her, Hannah eagerly began exploring local vegan purveyors. Before she knew it she was applying her creative passions toward promoting vegan businesses and makers around Tucson, and Death Free Foodie was born.
Through Death Free Foodie came increased exposure to Tucson’s vegan culture and communities, and it was only a matter of time before Hannah acquired a dedicated following. The growth of Death Free Foodie paralleled Hannah’s personal growth beyond her comfort zones, and she welcomed a new chapter of endless foodie experiences and community involvement.
As means of relaxing, Hannah enjoys dancing and painting her heart out. She also has a garden in her backyard where she grows her favorite herbs, fruits, and veggies.
You can catch glimpses of the many expressions of Hannah’s life’s harvest via her Instagram stories. If you’re curious to see what Hannah’s up to next, follow her at @Deathfreefoodie and check out the link in her bio for reliable access to vegan content.
