Favorite spot for El Paso tea enthusiasts shuts doors due to loses during pandemic

EL PASO, Texas -- For five years, the Tea Spout and Matcha Bar has been providing tea enthusiasts their fix in west El Paso. The shop will now be forced to close its doors as it won't be able to overcome losses experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I have a huge following and everybody has been super supportive but unfortunately it just hasn’t been enough," owner April Benson said.

The Tea Spout had a glimmer of hope once curb-side operations were introduced by Texas Gov. Greg Abbot. However, the reintroduction of customers into brick and mortar shops has actually hurt The Tea Spout in the long run.

"After that, my sales dropped 48%, cases were still increasing in El Paso. Once (customers) started getting in there and they saw there were other people around. people started backing off again," Benson said.

Benson will not be giving up on her dream, she will be transitioning her business to an online oriented retailer.

"I’m going to get into Etsy and Pinterest once fall comes around. I am going to start going into peoples homes and doing tea parties, I am going to do tea 101 on zoom, and for local customers I am going to do free delivery twice a week," Benson said.

While Benson is saying goodbye to the business she knew for the last five years, she has a message for other small business owners dealing with similar struggles.

"Follow your heart… I’m sorry, God has a plan for all of us as long as we trust in him to make a path, then we are all going to be fine. I just want to say to any of my customers that are watching, you haven’t just become a customer - you're friends to me. I am amazed and in awe at the relationships that I built here at The Tea Spout and I love you all so much," Benson said.

If you would like to keep in touch with The Tea Spout feel free to follow the following link to their webpage, and this link to their Facebook page.