Oct. 16, 2019

This paid piece is sponsored by The Spice & Tea Exchange.

Face it: We all have too much stuff, and we’re about to get more as the holidays approach.

Well-intended business vendors will gift us logoed blankets, calendars, pens and more. However, the universal appeal of The Spice & Tea Exchange’s consumables delivers a fresh gifting approach, showing tasteful appreciation for customers.

“We can package our products in attractive, easy-to-deliver gift sets at any price point,” store owner Tami Brown said.

The Spice & Tea Exchange at 328 S. Phillips Ave. features 140 spices, 85 handmade custom blends and 50 loose-leaf teas.

“For Realtors gifting to clients, nothing says ‘Welcome to your new home’ better than an adorable gourmet gift of spices and teas. For the business executive who has everything, a custom blend or tea package tells him you have good taste. Our products naturally exude warmth.”

The tasteful gifts appeal to women and men alike.

“Guys can be especially hard to buy for, but our handmade custom blends for meats, which we mix right here in our store, make excellent gifts for the grillers and smokers on your list,” Brown said.

She encourages businesses to order early to avoid the last-minute rush.

The holiday shopping season has already begun for many.

“Every day, we hear customers tell us they’re already buying Christmas presents in our store,” Brown said. “They like the idea of gifting our gourmet consumables – spices, teas, candles – things people can use daily and not have sitting around the house forever.”

Holiday accessories

Fashion is a matter of taste, and The Spice & Tea Exchange takes that literally as it unveils its holiday gourmet accessories featuring houndstooth.

The pattern, perhaps one of the oldest designed textiles, originated in ancient Swedish wool but is returning to fashion runways in abundance. The broken checks with four points resembling a dog’s tooth are typically black and white. However, other colors, such as Christmas red and green, khaki and lapis blue, can soon be found in the store at 328 S. Phillips Ave.

Franchise owners Brown and her husband, Vernon, got a sneak peek of the upcoming holiday line during the September biennial corporate conference.

“These gourmet gifts offer excellent quality at an accessible price point,” Brown said. “Most of these items are designed exclusively for The Spice & Tea Exchange.”

Although the Browns couldn’t bring home the products immediately, you can get a peek at them in this video interview Brown did with Jodie Bibler, franchise vice president of product development. The products are due on the floor any day.

“Jodie worked in New York City’s fashion industry, but a little over a year ago she moved to Florida to help The Spice & Tea Exchange boost its product line,” Brown said.

“She hit the mark last year with buffalo plaid. Based on the crowd’s reaction at our meetings, I know people will also grab the houndstooth look.”

Another accessory line includes hand-poured soy candles.

The scents match the store’s exclusive, loose-leaf tea blends.

The winter limited-time-offer teas will be Chocolate Candy Cane, Sugar Cookie and Bourbon Chestnut. Get a look at the quality of the accompanying candles in this clip.