the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood has long held the honor as a Best Place to Live, and now there is another reason for Ridgewood to be the place to be. On February 23rd, The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood silently opened their doors at 256 E Ridgewood Avenue, enticing people walking by to stop in and explore simply based upon the alluring fragrances of spices and teas wafting out onto the street. Two months later, it is a hidden gem that everyone is talking about.
On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 4pm the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce and Village Council will officially welcome The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood with a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting event with special guest, Deputy Mayor Paula Perron. The celebration will continue throughout the weekend with promotions for May 4th, ‘May the Fourth be With You’ Day (buy three Grinders get the fourth for free), and May 5th, Cinco de Mayo (buy one get one free 16oz. tea at the tea bar). We will be sampling a variety of our products each day and invite you to join us on a journey towards a more flavorful life.
A unique specialty food retail experience, The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood welcomes their guests at the door like family, encouraging them to open any of the jars lining the shelves. Featuring custom spice blends, exotic loose-leaf teas, infused sugars, salts, and honeys, it is a shopping experience like no other. On any given day you can watch knowledgeable “Spice Masters” curating their blends in store or steeping a cup of tea for eager tea enthusiasts.
“I have always had a passion for spices and food history, so when I was ready to invest in my own business, I knew right away that The Spice & Tea Exchange® franchise was the path forward,” said Lynn Kenney, owner of the new Ridgewood store. “The amount of support the franchise offers new owners is unbelievable, but it is the kindness from all of the other franchisee owners across the country that really makes this franchise feel more like family.”
With a walkability score of 95/100 from Walk Score®, Ridgewood is the ideal location for The Spice & Tea Exchange®. Catering to the diverse array of visitors who come downtown to stroll, shop, and dine, our unique experiential store offers an unparalleled experience. There simply is nothing else like it in town.
“In only two months, we are already seeing repeat guests coming in for their daily cup of tea or to refill their pantries with fresh spices and blends,” continues Kenney. “Many stay for a while, chatting with us
about all things food, tea and spices from around the world. The sense of community that we are seeing by creating and sharing the experience of a more flavorful life for everyone who enters our doors, is simply amazing.”
More About The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood
TEA – We have over 80 looseleaf teas from Pu-erh Black, White, Oolong, Green, Matcha (sweet and Ceremonial) and Herbal (non-caffeinated).
SPICE – Our spice wall is well-stocked, extremely fresh, and packed with flavor, not preservatives. With three cinnamons (including True Ceylon – the true cinnamon) and six Paprikas (including the most popular Hungarian version!) Our spice wall showcases the depth of flavor that we are seeking to transform an everyday meal into a dining experience.
SPICE BLENDS – Spice up your dinner with our amazing assortment of spice blends! Let us take the guesswork out of cooking tonight. Indulge in our exclusive, in-house crafted spice blends – a taste you won’t find anywhere else!
GIFTS– Discover our wide selection of culinary accessories and gifts, including custom-curated options for corporate events, weddings, and more! Contact Lynn, our owner, for personalized assistance.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN – The Spice & Tea Exchange® also partners with local restaurants and businesses, offering wholesale products and white-label options. Elevate your menu or brand with our high-quality spices and teas. Call the owner, Lynn, for more information.
EVENTS – Wish you could host events here? Yes, you can! With 2,000 square feet of space, our store features an impressive event space on the main floor. From fundraisers and concerts to tea parties, birthdays, weddings, and more, we can accommodate a variety of events. Let your imagination run wild – just ask owner Lynn Kenney.
SHIPPING – Yes, we ship too! Call, email us at ridgdewood@spiceandtea.com, or stop into the store to place an order. All orders over $65 ship free!
The Spice & Tea Exchange® was founded in 2008 with a vision to create a one-of-a-kind retail shopping experience. The company has over 90 brick and mortar locations across the United States, providing guests with over 140 spices, 85 exclusive hand-mixed blends, 80+ loose-leaf teas, naturally-flavored sugars, salts, gourmet gifts and accessories.
The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood is locally owned and operated by Lynn Kenney, Ridgewood resident and mom. Located at 256 East Ridgewood Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information regarding The Spice & Tea Exchange® of Ridgewood, visit https://www.spiceandtea.com/ridgewood, call the store directly at 201-322-0002 or follow us on social at facebook/tsteridgewood or on Instagram @spiceandtea.ridgewood Orders can be placed online at www.spiceandtea.com/ridgewood or by placing an order via email or phone.
I think it is disgraceful that the store moved in right around the corner from the Village Tea Shop. I’m all for healthy competition, but this was just ridiculous. They could’ve moved into another vacant store, of which there are many, a few blocks away. The Village Tea Shop has my loyalty and they will continue to. Furthermore, the owner of this new shop has been badmouthing. The Village Tea Shop, which has been a fixture at that end of town for years now. Shame on you, Lynn Sedon
Do you think it’s “disgraceful” that there are multiple barbershops within a short walking distance of each other? What about the multiple middle-eastern themed restaurants? Flower shops?
“I’m all for healthy competition, but … ” BUUUUUUTT, ah, look, another village butthead. We should have a parade. No, you’re not for healthy competition, because that’s precisely what this is. There’s nothing ridiculous about a business renting any available space it likes. Don’t like it, fine. Don’t shop there. Simple.
Again, do you even hear yourself? You think “badmouthing” is disgraceful so you run to the internet and … aaaaannnnnd? … start badmouthing people! Talk about a disgrace. Start with the Karen in the mirror.
You know what I think is digraceful…the fact that you refer to her but a name which she no longer uses. Petty and mean.
I agree with the first poster. I love The Village Tea shop. No need to go elsewhere
Independent over franchise, every time.
Most likely on the expense side. I’ll stick with McCormick’s
Because there’s nothing expensive about living in Ridgewood.
Competition is one thing. But intentionally trying to put an independent business out of business is dead wrong.
I guess I missed the part where a mysterious fire burned the Village Tea Shop to the ground. Or the owners woke up to a horse’s head in their bed.
Merely opening a similarly themed business down the block does not, no where, in no way, constitute maliciously trying to destroy an existing one. Let the chips fall where they may.
Your neighbors are complete dunderheads, folks, yet they worry about the village’s “character.”
I would like to openly comment on all of this. I, Lynn Kenney, am the sole proprietor, single Ridgewood mom and resident. I have never gone by the name Lynn Sedon, not sure where that came from.
I am disappointed by this false narrative, I (and my staff) have NEVER disparaged the Village Tea Shop. My kids love it there and anyone looking for bubble tea or milk tea or items we don’t carry, we proactively promote their business, all my staff knows that we love and support them! We are a SPICE BLEND shop first and foremost. We sell salts sugars honeys gifts tea and more, our tea bar is a perk for our guests.
As for independent v franchise. I am still an independent business owner. I put my life savings into this business too, just like many others, my life savings is invested here. I am in essence the same as an independent owner! I welcome anyone with concerns to reach to me directly. My cell is 908-442-6103