HONESTLY TEA AND GIFTS
Location:
Hours of Business:
Phone:
Web Address:
#108-561 Johnson Street
Mon. – Sat. 11 am – 5 pm
381-9566
www.honestly.ca
Chosen for:
High Quality Teas & Unique Gifts
10% of Profits to Help Stop World Poverty
A Hidden Treasure
On Saturday, December 2nd, 2006, Grapevine participants fully expected they would be led left into Market Square. Surprise! We turned right and entered the Paper Box Arcade, traipsing to the end of the alleyway before opening the door to Honestly Tea and Gifts. As her entry bell jingled, owner Susanne Ketelaar looked up with astonishment. When we announced that we had come to celebrate her and her shop, chosen "best of the bunch for December", she wiped away a tear. "There have never been so many people in here at the same time!" she exclaimed.
Owner Susanne Ketelaar - note the 52 varieties of
tea behind her.
- all photos by Tony Parker
All Honestlyteas are organic and fair trade. Choose from 52 varieties of Chai, Green, Rooibos, White, Black, or Herb leaves, available in bulk, package, or in your choice of five different sized tins. One of their tea suppliers won the 2006 SCAA award for "Best Hot Tea".
While living in Alberta, Susanne had talked with her husband about her dream of opening a store that supported people and the environment. Originally from Holland, the couple moved to Victoria in March 2006 when her husband was offered a job transfer here and because they love Vancouver Island, they jumped at the chance. Susanne's dream became a reality only four months later with the opening of Honestly Tea and Gifts in August.
Susanne is committed to giving 10% of her profits toward an overseas project to help stop poverty and injustice. Right now she is selling beeswax tea light candles for $2.00 with all profits going to a special project in Ghana, Africa to help support 48 adults and children with disabilities.
Susanne is committed to giving 10% of her
profits toward an overseas project to help stop
poverty and injustice, particularly to children.
Honestly also sells bead necklaces made by this group (Susanne later reported that Grapevine participants had contributed $87 towards this project, leaving her only $213 more to raise!). Once this objective is completed Susanne plans to help with a Kenyan project to stop female genital mutilation.
Honestly is the only Canadian supplier of Colorique products—a bestseller in Europe. All these bags, quilts, pillows, etc. are designed in Holland and handmade in India according to fair trade principles. The dyes used are all environmentally-friendly.
Beautiful purses from India made from old saris...
Body products from Langley....
In particular, we admired the gorgeous Colorique purses fashioned from old saris. Velvet cushions, big enough for two to comfortably sit while watching TV, are priced at $112.50. Someone said they'd be great to meditate upon. Or over-the-top to pamper Rover or Smokey. They also have 80" x 80" beautiful pink or orange shot-taffeta "mattresses" reduced to $99.95. Indulge yourself with turquoise mosquito netting over your bed. Embellished with gold sequins, it's priced at $262.50. Other colours are available, some without embellishments.
Great gift ideas for Christmas include body products from Langley and handmade paper notebooks from Thailand. Need stocking stuffers for a little girl? Try a cute barrette with ethnically dressed children ($8.00). But our favourite stocking stuffer for any age was a red 2"-high paper bag filled with chocolates for $2.70.
Got a thing about hearts? Honestly is just the place! Pretty handmade fabric hearts ($7.20) can be hung by their ribbons in a window, mirror, or door—in fact anywhere you can attach a tiny hook. How about a paper lampshade, a fabric change purse ($6.50 - $9.95), or teensy silver Buddha earrings ($23.00)? Pick a fuzzy turquoise "beaded" necklace as a conversation piece.
Honestly is the only Canadian supplier of
Colorique products (bags, quilts, pillows) - a
bestseller in Europe..
Got a baby on your Christmas or birthday list? Buy a quilted heart to hang over the crib... when you pull the cord it plays Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ($40).
The more we looked around this small shop, the more we saw. Honestly Tea and Gifts is definitely worth a visit. Browse while sipping a sample of available brews. Chances are, Honestly is just your cup of tea!