Stonehouse Teas Turns 25

Since 1995 we have been sipping on the vast flavours of Stonehouse Teas. The store was the conception of Tanya Hofer, who started as a home based business and appeared at the farmer’s market for many years. After a short stint in the Pier Street area, Tanya made the leap to 11th ave in 2005 and concreted her vision when she opened the now very famous Stonehouse Teas. The word Stonehouse is actually Tanya’s maiden name and was very fitting for a tea store. Christine Lilyholm a friend of Tanya’s, had worked with her in a different capacity before the tea business and had on occasion helped out in the store. Known in the community as a full time Chef and culinary instructor, Christine had become more than intrigued with the blending and creation of memorable teas. By 2016, Tanya was ready to retire from the tea business and the opportunity for Christine to own Stonehouse had emerged. With the intention to work in the back, create flavours, and continue teaching at the college everything except ‘the plan’ happened. Just a month after taking possession of the store, Christine’s father fell ill and Tanya was called in for support to keep the business going until Christine took the reigns back full time early 2017. Then her position at the college changed in 2018 and the new “plan” developed.

Christine’s vision was to expand and grow by enhancing and spreading the already very strong foundation that Tanya had created. Many things started to evolve that were new and exciting and captured Campbell River-ites quickly. The tea culture had exploded! New flavours were added to Bubble Tea menu, Signature Tea blends were created to highlight other businesses, increased distribution outlets were happening with the popular “Where is Christine having tea” contest and Happy Hours were blazing a new pace in how we approach drinking and enjoying tea. As a Chef and a savvy business woman Christine took to the streets, creating neighbourhood relationships and family fun events that gave every age a chance to become familiar with the more than 120 varieties of quality loose leaf tea. Before long, tea beers in conjunction with Beach Fire Brewing, tea martinis at festive events, Dave’s bakery created tea macaroons, and tea soaps from RavenSong Soap started appearing, tea had become more than a beverage! Tea accessories, novelties and drinking containers hot or cold were all part of the progress and the excitement that permeates around them. In 2019 Christine introduced the signature Campbell River Tea blend and CR ‘Fog’ (latte style), a perfect collection of what emanates Campbell River. This tea has now reached several nations and continues to be sipped world wide.

Over the last 3 years, Stonehouse Teas’ website has expanded to a wide range of goods which has been instrumental in accelerating the business and making the brand and all its goods a household name. The amazing staff at Stonehouse are an essential part of making your visit memorable and have been working with Christine for a long time. Having a captain like Christine means very little downtime, and every day is swelling with new ideas and implementations. A COVID pandemic was just another adjustment and was embraced as an opportunity to evolve. The result, local delivery options, more community collaborations, a take-out window, expanded window shopping and more products online.

After several awards Stonehouse Teas has become an icon business in Campbell River. The 25th anniversary will be met with it’s own Signature Tea Blend, a Tea Beer, custom Chocolate Bar, Signature Tea Soap, custom Coffee Blend and a specially marked Libre tea infuser celebrating 25 years. Celebration events will take place between September 14th-19th. There will be more surprises announced on Facebook and Instagram. From Christine and staff thank you Campbell River for expressing your confidence in the wild ride we call Stonehouse Teas. Written by Cathy Kaardal