One year ago, Jeewaka Costa and his wife Manik opened ManiKitchen Tea Shop, filling the space at 978 Kenmore Boulevard with the aroma of their 120 varieties of loose tea. On Thursday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m., they invite you to celebrate with them.
Since opening a year ago, Jeewaka and his wife Manik (who is also the namesake of ManiKitchen) have educated curious shoppers on how to brew the perfect cup of loose leaf tea – ultimately building a strong base of loyal, repeat customers in the process.
“Customers have come back and told us they feel more energized and healthy since they began drinking our tea regularly,” Manik commented.
Jeewaka’s family has a rich history with tea. His grandmother used herbal remedies, traditional ingredients, and natural resources to heal people, and explained to him that it takes time to boost immunization in your body. “There is not any magical word or works (that will) do it within one or two days,” he said.
In Sri Lanka, his mother would make a steaming glass of herbal tea and tell Jeewaka it was a glass of secret medicine that would boost immunity to protect against bacteria, viruses, and infections.
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Jeewaka was laid off from his aircraft maintenance job in spring of 2020. He decided it was time to activate the space he had owned on Kenmore Boulevard since 2016. Jeewaka had always planned to do something entrepreneurial with the building, and as the world became more focused on health and immunity, he felt a calling apply his family’s generations of work refining the art of blending ancient Sri Lankan herbal medicine with infused Ceylon teas and open a tea shop in the space.
“People all over the world know the importance of a strong immune system, especially with the spread of COVID-19 infecting millions. A strong immune system, which our unique teas support, will help protect you and your loved ones,” Jeewaka notes.
About two months ago, ManiKitchen expanded its offerings and began selling its own line of 100 percent local raw honey in five varieties: Wildflower, Lavender, Cinnamon, Clover, and Sweet & Spicy.
In addition to the physical location on the BLVD, ManiKitchen offers its teas, honeys, and accessories online at manikitchen.com and at some local farmers markets.
Join us in stopping into ManiKitchen Thursday, September 9, 5-6 p.m. and congratulate Jeewaka and Manik on a successful first year. Buy a tea, honey or accessory and be included in a drawing to win one of four tea sets. Online purchases made before 5 p.m. will also be included.
ManiKitchen Tea Shop is located at 978 Kenmore Boulevard and is open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, visit manikitchen.com.