A dream come true – literally!
Steep – My Favorite Tea Shop
What does it take to make a dream come true? Just ask Jean and Joe Liptay, the owners of the Steep Leaf Lounge in downtown Flagstaff, AZ. They both believe in making things happen.
Jean calls herself a “tea hobbyist”. Being a stay at home mom of two active boys, she only dreamed of having her own tea shop some day. Her husband on the other hand, knowing Jean’s desire, saw an opportunity and took it. When the Animas Trading Company moved down the street, Joe noticed and signed the lease before Jean could shout a protest. After 4-6 weeks of renovation, Jean and Jay watched their dream become reality through the opening of Steep on Flagstaff’s First Friday Art Walk, November 1, 2013.
Cozy Pillow Nook
I totally didn’t understand the ‘steep’ concept until I entered the shop. The idea of letting your tea ‘steep’ is wrapped in an atmosphere of relaxing conversation in small nooks with pillows and tables nestled cozily by the windows of the shop. Surrounded by shelves of tea cups, mugs and everything ‘tea’, moments of community are created.
My first visit to Steep was through the invitation of my dear friend and international student from India. It was a hot summer day and she wanted some ‘Steep’ lemonade. I have never had lemonade made with natural tea leaves and/or herbs and real lemon! Amazing! Now when I go, I have a dilemma on my hands, do I choose from the different lemonades OR do I choose my favorite tea latte?
“Hmmmmmm. I’ll have a Pine Chai, please!”
TEA BREAK!! Literally . . . . . . . Really . . . . . . . (After all, part of writing is the ambiance – write/right?)
YES – you got it – (our readers are so smart)! I am finishing this article looking out on the downtown area of Flagstaff, AZ from the window of a cozy pillow nook at Steep! I sit here looking at tea cups, tea infusers, tea pots, an assortment of bulk tea, tea towels, T-shirts and what looks like different gadgets to ‘steep’ tea! I am writing, listening to music, hearing people chat and watching the variety of people, dogs and children wandering down the streets on an evening at the downtown square. Sitting here tonight, I realize that Steep is a must experience place. Stop by, have a tea latte or lemonade, relax and enjoy! This unique place in Flagstaff definitely provides a place for moments made to remember!
MEANWHILE –
Steep Tea Bar
Speaking to the owner tonight, I discovered that weekly tea events and longer weekend hours til midnight or 1:00 a.m. are coming soon! Check out the Steep website and Facebook to learn more about these events, hours and this tea experience extraordinaire with its tea ‘from around the world’.
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Don’t forget to mention that Team Tait sent you!
By Leslie Crawley, Assistant to Jacki Tait
