Media Release: Steep & Bloom Graduates from Retail Incubator
Downtown Retail Incubator Celebrates the Graduation of Participant, Steep & Bloom Tea: Local Tea Shop Grows into Its Next Phase Thanks to Area Entrepreneurship Resources
[Columbia, Mo.] Steep & Bloom Tea, one of 11 current participants at The Shops at Sharp End is graduating from the program and into a new, larger retail location. The boutique style retail incubator, located at 5th and Walnut Streets in downtown Columbia, sits in what was once known as the Sharp End, a historic black business district. The program began in February of 2024 with the vision to highlight innovative and creative retail businesses in a collaborative gathering space where passionate entrepreneurs come together, connect with the public, share their ideas, and grow their businesses.
Steep & Bloom Tea opened in October 2024, and joined The Shops at Sharp End in December of the same year. Steep & Bloom is a specialty tea retailer focusing on premium loose leaf teas and tisanes (herbal blends), tea accessories, and Mushroom + Matcha. Christa Holtzclaw, the owner and self-proclaimed professional tea nerd behind Steep & Bloom says, “Participating in The Shops at Sharp End retail incubator made the rapid growth I’ve seen in my brand possible. Being able to offer my customers a brick and mortar shopping experience would have been years away for both financial and time availability reasons without this program. I’m so grateful to have had access to this resource, and I’m excited for the next phase at Serendipity.”
Steep & Bloom has opened a retail space inside Serendipity Gallery and Wellness Suites, located at 1020 E Walnut Street, Suite 100, just a few blocks east of The Shops at Sharp End. The new retail space is a significant expansion on the space Steep & Bloom occupied inside the retail incubator, but is still a collaborative retail model, sharing space with the gallery and fine craft gifts featured by Serendipity. “I have been able to add more specialty tea retail items and have plans for expanded offerings in the coming months,” says Holtzclaw. Steep & Bloom also offers private tea parties and tea experiences both on-site at Serendipity and off-site.
The Shops at Sharp End provides a space for new businesses to thrive and grow. It has three area organizations working cooperatively as managing partners: Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI), The District: Downtown CID, and The Missouri Women’s Business Center. Trish Keotting, Entrepreneurship Program Supervisor at REDI and Holtzclaw’s business coach said, “I could not be prouder of Christa Holtzclaw, owner of Steep & Bloom, as she graduates from The Shops at Sharp End and steps into her next chapter as a small business owner. Christa has worked incredibly hard to get to this point. She shows up every day, refining her vision, building her customer base, and truly cultivating a tea community here in Columbia. Now, with her new location inside Serendipity Gallery, she is proof that when entrepreneurs stay committed to the process, growth follows. I am excited to see her expanded offerings and look forward to watching her business thrive.”
"The District is so proud and excited to see Steep and Bloom's success in The Shops at Sharp End. Their new location in Spenedipitly will be such a wonderful fit, and I can't wait to join them for some amazing one-of-a-kind teas!", said Nickie Davis, Executive Director of The District.
Tiowana Warrick, the program manager for The Shops at Sharp End, says, “Since December 2024, Steep & Bloom Tea has blossomed from a dream poured cup by cup into a beloved cornerstone of The Shops. In just one year, Christa’s unwavering faith, tireless work ethic, and quiet devotion have steeped more than tea, they’ve steeped connection, comfort, and community. Watching her step into her flagship home at Serendipity is more than growth; it’s the living proof that when passion is nurtured with courage, something truly beautiful takes root.”
The Shops at Sharp End will be hosting a graduation ceremony and celebration for Steep & Bloom Tea on Saturday, February 28 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and the retail incubator will be open for regular shopping and sales of all the current participants’ merchandise. The managing partners invite community members and tea-lovers to attend the celebration, learn more about the program, and support local, small businesses.
Steep & Bloom grew out of a love for tea, a fascination with flavor combinations, and a desire to create something that brings people joy and comfort. Steep & Bloom seeks to create unique and delicious tea blends with only the best whole ingredients. Discover small batch, hand blended varieties that meld herbs, spices, and botanicals - some familiar, some more exotic - for a truly remarkable sip that supports your mind, body, and soul. Steep & Bloom blends are available for sale inside Serendipity Gallery and Wellness Suites in downtown Columbia, Mo., at 10 mid-Missouri retailers, and online at steepandbloomtea.com.