ManiKitchen Tea: Brewing Community

Small Businesses

Apr 1

Growing up, ManiKitchen store owner, Jeewaka Costa, admired his grandmother who made a variety of herbal tea blends from her extensive knowledge of medicinal herbs and shared the recipes with the members of her village. Similarly, his mother used to tell him, “this glass of secret medicine gives your brainpower, cools your body, cures allergic symptoms, energizes your life, and boosts immunity to fight against infections”. Jeewaka recognizes the incredible power of tea in building community and strengthening the human body. In the midst of a global pandemic, Jeewaka felt an urgency to help his community use herbal medicine to fight off viruses and build immunity.

The ManiKitchen name is based on Pradeepa Costa’s nickname, “Manik”. ManiKitchen’s store opened in September 2020 with the help of Jeewaka’s wife; Pradeepa (Manik), and three children; Suvik, Sadali, and Sithu. Whether laying the carpet or building the shelves, Jeewaka’s family poured time and love into arranging the tea shop. Jeewaka is grateful for his family’s commitment to growing the store. Since both Jeewaka and his wife (Manik) still work other jobs, his kids jump at the opportunity to help out. Particularly, his son and daughter love assisting in updating the website and working at the store in their free time. On summer weekends, they spend afternoons as a family at local farmers’ markets talking with customers about their products.

Although the rise of Covid caused immense uncertainty, Jeewaka felt called to provide a resource of hope and healing to his neighbors. After losing his own brother a few years ago, he felt deeply saddened by the pandemic’s ability to strip the lives of loved ones all around the world. By educating others on the nutritional powers of teas, he desires for others to stay healthy in a pandemic world.

ManiKitchen’s mission is to educate folks about the different types, uses, and purposes of teas. Blends in over 120 different teas (flavors, herbs, loose) available online or in-store, there is tea for everyone! Some of their best-sellers are Mango Oolong, White Peach, Belgium Chocolate, Turmeric Ginger Lemon, Sleep, Cold & Cough, Detox, Toasted Hazelnut Crunch, Cafe Maria (Coffee and Tea together), Lavender Cloud Over Ohio, Purple Rain, Bombay Chai Green and Moscow Nights (Smokey). By coming into the shop, you learn the different functions and purposes of their unique teas and products (Teaware and Infusers). Regardless of looking to sleep, relax, regain energy, and build immunity, they have teas to meet your needs. Made with the freshest ingredients, you receive a tea that is ensured to invigorate your body and warm your soul. Customers can customize their Tea Sets as they like in an assortment of colors and designs, also 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee

Jeewaka shares his tea recipes and benefits; He loves to see customers discover new teas to fit their lifestyles and to see them coming back to learn more. His relationships with customers are a great reward for opening the business. Jeewaka’s perspective is, “to always try to think positively and take every opportunity to help others”. Explore the variety of teas ManiKitchen offers in-store or on their website, https://manikitchen.com/.

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