GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Global Infusion, a local tea shop, is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Saturday. The West Michigan shop is located at 143 Diamond Ave SE.
When the shop first opened, it offered only 12 types of tea. Today, Global Infusion carries hundreds of varieties, along with an array of loose teas, spices, herbs, coffee and handmade gifts.
The expansion hasn’t been limited to just the product line; the shop itself has grown to accommodate its success.
"We've added additional spaces in the building so we can warehouse more of our dried herbs and teas," shop owner Joana Hively said. "It’s something I’ve dreamed of for many years, and it’s allowed us to order larger quantities and keep things in stock more consistently."
Hively, who started out in Fair Trade before transitioning to the world of small business, has witnessed the growth of her shop from a small operation to a community staple.
"I had come from a background in fair trade, ethical sourcing, and my business partner was coming from a background of herbal remedies," Hively explained. "That's where it all started, and this is where we've gotten to."
The store’s mission is to “provide organic herbs, specialty consumables and fairly traded global handcrafts to our community. We expanded to include hundreds of bulk, loose-leaf teas and botanicals from all regions of the world. These thoughtfully curated products are grown and crafted by companies grounded in social and environmental sustainability.”
Reflecting on the store's mission, Hively said she "was just doing a little writing, talking about where we were coming from and the intention we opened with—providing a space where people could feel welcome and our community could grow. To see how that’s taken on a life of its own, beyond anything I could have dreamed, it’s beautiful."
Global Infusion will host an event to celebrate their 20-year milestone on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 10-5 p.m. There will be special giveaways, goodie bags, as well as a raffle. They will be raffling their global favorites baskets, full of goodies. The proceeds from the raffle will go to a local project called the Hermitage Diamond.
For more information on the celebration check out their Facebook Page, Global Infusion.
