Wilwand Tea moves to larger location in south Atascadero
Wilwand Tea will move into the building where Heritage Oaks Bank used to be located. Photo courtesy of Shannon Wilwand
Wilwand Tea, which has been located on Traffic Way for the last two years, will move from its 1,000-square-foot location downtown to a 4,500-square-foot building at 9900 El Camino Real in south Atascadero. The business will close its Traffic Way location the last two weeks of September and open the new location on Oct. 1. Grand opening events will be held Oct. 27 to 31.
“We are moving locations to expand our space to incorporate more of everything,” owner Shannon Wilwand said. “We have outgrown our current space with over 200 herbs, teas and spices. More events and services have been made available from our growing relationship with many local holistic practitioners and teachers. … We are inviting holistic practitioners, teachers, and creators to collaborate within the new space. Massage, yoga, reiki, mediation, breath work [and] organic, vegan, locally made products.”
Wilwand’s services include bio energetic modalities, bodywork, reflexology, astrology readings, sound baths, yoga, tribal fusion dance class and various classes/workshops. Wilwand said that at this time, the business will not add new services, but will only expand on what it already offers.
Wilwand Tea moved to Traffic Way two years ago after a year in Virginia Plaza on El Camino Real. Previously, Wilwand owned her first tea and herb shop, called Tea House, in Baywood Park/Los Osos 2001-2003. “It closed after the earthquake condemned the old brick gas station building we were leasing,” she said.
Wilwand Tea has its state certification to blend organic teas for retail and wholesale distribution of its magical and wellness blends, which is one of the business’ specialties. Wilwand makes a new magical blend each day that is available for tasting, as well as certain magical blends that can be ordered off the menu. She also makes individual magical blends that she muscle tests on each individual.
Wilwand Tea owners Shannon and Garth Wilwand inside their business on Traffic Way.
“I have a list of herbs that I muscle test from when I access or test the person’s body for what herbs are healing for them,” Wilwand said. “Muscle testing is like using a pendulum, we ask a yes or no questions or we ask what is beneficial from a list of herbs. I use my own fingers to muscle test — through the energy field I am accessing another person’s body.”
After the move, Wilwand said the tea room’s tea menu will expand to include elixirs and eventually some food options. “We will have a drive-thru for beverages to go,” she said. “Extra rooms and a larger space for healing services, classes, events, dance and yoga.”
She said the drive-thru will have a specific menu of the tea room’s most popular teas and elixirs. Wilwand said she’d like to integrate the drive-thru with the mobile square app so that those on a time crunch can order and pay ahead of time.
“[I am] looking forward to spreading our wings and offering up much more to the community as a tea company and healing center,” Wilwand said.
The tea room is currently open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. “We anticipate expanding our hours in the new location to Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., plus having an earlier morning drive-thru service.”
