Hubby/wife duo Lauren and Denny founded Redstraw with a story steeped in a mutual obsession for travel and tea. Lauren was a jet-setting flight attendant, and Denny traveled around the world during his time in the US military. They met through friends, and quickly bonded over their love for tea. Though they had each tasted many different teas on their own adventures, they continued traveling and enjoying new shops and tea bars across the globe. When Denny realized Lauren was the one, he presented her with a special present from Japan: a box of cherry blossom green tea tied with a red ribbon. *Swoon*
After they got married, they decided to settle down in LA. They absolutely loved what the city had to offer, but felt that there were no tea bars that were as beautiful and delicious as some of the places they visited during their travels. They had an idea to open their own, but they wanted to make sure the teas were special. Quality was very important to them, but what could they do to make the overall experience original and fun?
During the next 3 years of preparing the store, they visited numerous tea shops, but none of them stood out. One day, they visited a cocktail bar and when Denny looked at the menu he said, "This is it!" He quickly asked Lauren what a great cocktail reminds her of. She said, "Good vibes, good times and good friends." They were inspired to bring this mantra to their signature tea recipes, and the tea bar was born! With a name inspired by the beautiful color of the ribbon on the tea box Denny gifted Lauren years ago, Redstraw Tea Bar was officially opened in 2018.
