Tea shop is replacing former convenience store on Platte Street
Something’s brewing on Platte Street. New Mexico- based Old Barrel Tea Co., which sells loose leaf tea blends, is moving into Platte Street Mercantile’s former home at 1620 Platte St.
This will be co- owner Heather Maccalous’ third location in the region, joining ones in Golden and Boulder. Old Barrel also has stores in New Mexico and Arizona.
“Honestly, Denver came quicker than I thought it was going to,” Maccalous said. “I was planning on sitting on the two for a while, and the stars lined up and here we are.”
Maccalous took over Mercantile’s lease for the 1,110- square- foot space and expects to open in early July. Old Barrel
was founded by Dana Clark and her daughter Bailey Riddle in 2015, and grew to include Clark’s daughters- in- law Paola and Nenada Huffmon.
Maccalous grew up in Lakewood and was introduced to the company when Nenada, her best friend, married into the Old Barrel Tea family. Maccalous bought into the family business in 2018 with her mom, Karen Kerns.
“I walked into the tea shop and just felt at home,” Maccalous said.
Maccalous said the Golden location, which she opened in 2018, had revenue of $ 600,000 last year.
She expanded to Pearl Street in Boulder in April 2022, and said that store did $ 300,000 in revenue in its first 12 months.
Maccalous said she was looking at a few Denver neighborhoods. While Platte Street already has Babe’s Tea Room, which serves tea and light fare, and bubble tea purveyor Colorado Tea Station, Maccalous said she doesn’t see them as competitors.
“It’s different because we’re retail. We’re not a cafe or tea house,” Maccalous said. “I was just drawn to the space and I just got lucky.”
Old Barrel Tea sells about 65 loose leaf tea blends made by Paola Huffmon, with flavors like Enchanted Lavender Earl Grey and Maccalous’ favorite, Crisp Apple Pu Erh. Stores also sell things like spices, honey and brew tools.
Before buying into the business, Maccalous worked in the restaurant industry.
“I liked the lifestyle swap — going from the hustle and bustle and alcoholbased everything in restaurants to this healthy alternative,” Maccalous said.
After the Denver opening, Old Barrel will have a total of nine locations.
Maccalous said she’ll potentially open two more shops in the region, but wants to wait a few years before expanding again.
“Platte Street is kind of like Pearl in the sense that it has its own community, and I’m excited to be a part of that,” Maccalous said. “I think it’s going to be the perfect vibe.”