T's/ OnceUponATeaLeaf.com

This almost never happens but we are looking for an amazing human to join our team. Part time hours will include Friday (flexible), Saturday & Sunday. If you have customer service experience and a passion for helping customers discover their new favourite tea or the perfect gift we would be honoured to connect with you and explore if you would be a fit for this specific role. Please email us at [email protected] with the subject RESUME ( so Mumsy can find it in our stacked email inbox )

On May 10th, I’ll be celebrating Mumsy Day 🤍 but we know that families come in all shapes and sizes which is why we call it Mother's ( & Other's) Day around here.

Some of you are celebrating bonus moms, chosen family, aunties, grandmas, nanas or anyone who has stepped in and shown up for you.

And for some, this day feels a little tender.
Mother’s Day can bring up big feelings and we see you.

However you’re holding it this year, we’ve filled the shop with pieces that help say what words sometimes can’t.

Thoughtful jewellery, cozy candles, mugs, journals, little self-care moments… and of course, our luxury loose leaf teas.

Because if we’re being honest? The real gift she wants is time spent with you so steep a cup of tea and enjoy every moment you have with her.

Once Upon a Tea Leaf is where your story begins… and sometimes, the best ones start with a kettle on 🤍

Last night Mumsy and I dressed in Gold for the 50th Anniversary of ( The Maple Ridge Community Foundation) at The Citizen of The Year Gala. We were pleasantly surprised to see some artwork on display by my late uncle Aeron McBryde. Seeing his art served as a reminder that greatness is rooted within our community and that was on display in the amazing nominees at the event. Congrats to the nominees, winners and the team that delivered a wonderful evening.

I shared with Mumsy that it is my favourite event of the year because it is filled with inspiring people cheering for each other as they work to make Maple Ridge a better place to live. It isn’t about networking or schmoozing, it feels like a family reunion.

I am so glad I was raised in the Ridge!

We built Once Upon a Tea Leaf around the idea that the small things matter.

A cup of tea at the end of a long day or conversation you didn’t realize your heart needed. A gift that says what words sometimes can’t.

Our Tea Library features over 400 blends, crafted in small batches, thoughtfully sourced, and inspired by the moments they’re meant to be part of.

This is a mother and daughter story, rooted in a simple belief
that it’s still possible to build something meaningful in a world that moves too fast.

We feel honoured to offer a soft place for our community to wander.
No expectations. No sales pressure.

Just a warm welcome, a smile,
and a sample of the tea of the day.

Thank you feels too small, but it’s where we’ll start.

When I shared our call for help, I’ll be honest… I felt vulnerable and my inside voice was calling me LOSER. Like maybe after 18 years, I should have had it all figured out.

But what came back was something else entirely. Messages, conversations and hugs in the shop. People saying, “thank you for being real.”

One message really stayed with me. It said that struggle can feel a lot like grief. Time passes, people see a smile, and assume everything is okay. But sometimes it’s not. And saying that out loud matters.

This past weekend, you showed us exactly what community looks like.

You came in. You brought flowers. You brought kindness. You chose to spend your hard-earned dollars with us, even when we know things are tight for so many right now. That choice is not lost on us.

We offered a little sale hoping to create some breathing room, to chip away at a massive restoration bill that has felt heavy for a long time… and because of you, we are now about three quarters of the way there.

And I want to say this clearly: WE ARE NOT CLOSING
We are fighting to stay open. And this community has shown us, loudly and lovingly, that you will fight with us.

I posted (after a little too much wine) on stories that we have to fight for the kind of communities we want to live in. But I meant it.

Sometimes that fight looks small. Small actions like choosing local, taking $10 a month and spending it with a small business instead of Amazon. That small choice adds up to something big. It keeps doors open which keeps our community vibrant.

Through all of this, I’ve also heard from so many small business owners who are right on the edge wondering how they’re going to make payroll or rent.

We are not alone in this and neither are they.

This terrible vandalism situation and surprise restoration/insurance costs will not not define us.

This is a chapter, not the whole story and when we do close this chapter, we promise you this: we are going to pour every ounce of the love you’ve shown us right back into this community.
🩷🩷🩷

That is the story we want to continue to tell.

If you’ve been meaning to pop in, we would truly love to see you this week.
XO
T & Mumsy

PS- The 14% sale continues this week