Elden Street Tea Shop to launch new Reston location with tea festival

RestonNow.com April 30, 2024 at 11:34am

Elden Street Tea Shop moving into new Lake Anne Plaza location (staff photo by Angela Woolsey) — Elden Street Tea Shop is moving into a new location at Lake Anne Plaza in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Elden Street Tea Shop is almost ready to unveil its new location in Reston.

After closing its original Herndon location in January, the business is set to reopen at 1633A Washington Plaza in Lake Anne Plaza this Saturday (May 4).

The tea shop will celebrate its grand opening in conjunction with the second annual Northern Virginia Tea Festival, which will take place on the Lake Anne Plaza waterfront from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Lake Anne Washington Plaza Merchant Association, the festival is expected to draw more than 40 vendors who will sell various tea-related products and accessories, according to a press release.

“Visitors can browse and shop for everything from loose-leaf teas and tea blends to tea sets, teapots, and infusers, as well as local crafts and unique gifts,” the merchant association said in an announcement for the festival. “…The Tea Festival is a fun and educational experience for all with plenty of opportunities to sample teas, learn from experts, and have fun!”

Other activities will include live music, a traditional Japanese tea ceremony demonstration, morning yoga sessions, classes and workshops, and chai-making and costume contests.

While admission to the vendor market is free, access to the classes, workshops and tea ceremony will require a ticket. Tickets will be sold at the festival, but a Northern Virginia Tea Excursion package that includes a full-day trip to Lunch The Tea Cart in Berryville on May 5 has sold out.

The tea festival was first held in May 2023 at Elden Street Tea Shop’s first location at 714 Pine Street in Herndon.

Co-owner Rachel Eisenfeld previously told FFXnow that the business had outgrown the space, which it established in 2017. Though they hoped to retain the downtown Herndon location while opening a second spot, lease negotiations with the landlord stalled, leading the shop to relocate instead.

Elden Street Tea Shop sells loose-leaf tea, both in-store and wholesale. Once it reopens in Reston, it will offer a variety of events, such as tea parties, yoga and tea meditation, paddle board tea time, open mic night and literary tea hours.