Seep in tranquility with Great Lakes Tea and Spice

By Maggie Meyers
Sun contributor
August 19 marked the fiftieth day of business for the Great Lakes Tea and Spice Company, a promising new addition to Glen Arbor’s business community. Snugly situated in a quiet enclave near the Ruth Conklin Gallery on M-109 and tucked directly behind the Sleeping Bear Animal Clinic, the Tea and Spice Company’s space engenders an instantaneous sense of detachment from the noise and haste that fills Glen Arbor in the summertime.

A few yards west of the Pine Cone ice cream shop, just past the storefront to the Glen Arbor Botanicals Gallery, stands an enticing sign that reads, ‘Follow the Path to Enlightenment’. Curious passersby enter the shady stone path and are lead to a quaint courtyard, at the center of which sits the Tea and Spice Company’s retail shop, a charming 12 foot x 12 foot trading post. Upon entering the tiny shop, the visitor is inundated with fragrant aromas arising from the many enticing offerings that fill every inch of the cozy space. Each day, complimentary samples of three specialty tea blends — one hot and two iced — are freshly made for the enjoyment of all who wander through. Many a first time visitor’s attention heads straight to Cappy, a two-year-old Blue and Gold Macaw — an adoptee of the company’s owners, husband-and-wife team Chris and Heather Sack — which perches and chatters effusively in front of the shop. Cappy spends each day engaging visitors, especially those of the younger contingent, who, with a comical combination of anticipation and trepidation, approach him — hands outstretched — with offers of crackers and other treats.
Though still in its nascent stages, the Tea and Spice Company already offers an extensive selection of premium quality imported goods from China, South Africa, India and France. At present, the company’s product line includes 23 fine tea and herbal ‘tisane’ blends, and an assortment of innovative spice blends and fine sea salts that are capable of transforming even the most mundane meal into haute cuisine. Perhaps even more noteworthy are the 11 varieties of flowering teas that are as aesthetically appealing to the eye as they are pleasing to the palate. In addition to all of the consumable goods, the Tea and Spice Company offers a wide selection of high quality (yet affordable) heat resistant glass teaware, fine crafted kitchen accoutrements and an array of other international textile goods.
The couple traces their interest in the products they now sell to a business trip Heather took to China in 2003, as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid for The Leelanau School. There, Heather discovered a fondness for fine tea and an appreciation of its consumption as a daily ritual. But it was not until April of 2005 that the notion of a business enterprise focusing on tea and spices first struck the Sacks, subsequent to a moment of mutual clarity in which, according to Chris, Heather and I “realized the most straightforward way to achieve the lifestyle we wanted was to go start our own business.” One of their major long-term goals, according to Heather, is “to import and blend everything ourselves.” Chris and Heather are fundamentally committed to seeking out organic products that abide by fair trade standards whenever possible. Another of the couple’s aspirations is to have the means to pursue extensive world travel and gain a greater awareness of the tea and spice industry, in order to ensure they make socially responsible decisions when choosing merchants.
The ideal existence the Sacks envision is one in which they can provide a comfortable life for their children without sacrificing quality family time. For Chris and Heather, parenthood is without question the highest priority. In June 2003, the couple welcomed their son August (named after great-grandfather), and their daughter Amelie arrived in June of 2005. The emphasis that Chris and Heather place on the importance of family has been fundamental to their approach in developing their business. In Chris’s words, “Supporting each other to make significant things happen reminds you of the importance of family in building and founding a business.” In fact, Heather’s mother, Mariann, and her husband, Veterinarian Rodger VanderWerff, have generously provided Heather and Chris their space on the property of the Sleeping Bear Animal Clinic, which is owned by the VanderWerffs and run by Rodger.
Balancing parenting with jumpstarting a new business is an arduous undertaking, yet Chris and Heather embrace the constant challenges that continue to unfold. The couple’s ability to manage such a juggling act — and keep smiles on their faces all the while — reflects the incredibly high level of energy, enthusiasm and healthy optimism that Chris and Heather share. Their philosophy rests upon the principle of taking life seriously, yet in a lighthearted way, which lends to a business ethic, summed up by Chris as “having fun by selling fun.” Ultimately, the Sacks’ attitude towards running their new business mirrors their orientation towards life in general, and is rooted in strong family values and a commitment to community.
As partners in life and business, Chris and Heather’s strengths prove highly complementary. Heather contributes a keen sense of tea, professional experience in administrative work and finance, and solid graphic arts skills, which have been put to use in packaging design and marketing — and does all this while maintaining her full-time position at The Leelanau School. Chris, a savvy cook, has made most of the decisions in regards to the line of spice products, while his professional background in education and retail make him perfectly suited to tend shop each day and enthusiastically share his knowledge about the products with customers.
While the fine quality of the company’s product line speaks for itself, ultimately the charming and welcoming atmosphere that owners Chris and Heather Sack have created — incorporating mindfulness with a genuine passion for life — is what gives the Great Lakes Tea and Spice Company promising potential as a successful local business that will explore uncharted territory and become a peaceful gathering place for all locals and summer visitors to enjoy.
The Great Lakes Tea and Spice Company’s daily hours are 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. The shop will be open for business through October 20.