There are some 6,000 businesses around the existing and planned Atlanta BeltLine corridor. In honor of Black Business Month and as part of our ongoing Business on the Atlanta BeltLine series, we are thrilled to showcase some of the amazing Black-owned businesses on the Atlanta BeltLine that add so much to our community.
Just Add Honey Tea Company is a family-owned, loose-leaf tea company that offers thoughtfully blended small-batch teas on the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. Launched in 2006 by life-long tea fan Brandi Shelton, also known as “the tea lady”, Just Add Honey has evolved from a home-based hobby to a store space at Sweet Auburn Market to its current brick-and-mortar location in the Old Fourth Ward. Tucked away just steps from the BeltLine’s Irwin Street access point, the tearoom provides a cozy spot to steal away from the bustle for some quiet reprieve or a relaxing moment with friends. In addition to the wide variety of teas and tea blends carefully selected and crafted by Brandi, the company also sells fresh baked goods from local companies, coffee drinks, and accessories.
“We provide the fancy without the fuss,” she explains.
Brandi grew up drinking tea with her mother and grandmother. During her travels, she discovered the magical allure of tearooms, which provided a comforting sense of home and also opened doors to new exchanges and discoveries over a cup of tea. Unable to find the exact blends she wanted, she began making her own, and everything else, “just sort of fell into place.”
In what has become a family affair, Brandi sits at the helm of product creation, and her husband and co-owner, Jermail manages wholesale accounts, mobile tea bars, online sales, and daily operations. Most recently, the company has expanded into the adjacent building to meet the growing demand of its online sales and wholesale accounts.
“I love the energy of the BeltLine,” Brandi continues. “It kind of represents who we are—connecting neighborhoods and connecting people in unlikely circles.”
