Since moving her
MODesTEA shop a few blocks north on Tennyson, Tracy Frickey has seen business pick up.
A former teacher at West Gate Elementary in Jefferson County, Frickey relocated from 150 square feet of space at 38th and Tennyson into a 550-square-foot storefront at 43rd and Tennyson in the heart of the the Berkley and Tennyson Cultural Arts District.
She says the district's new streetscape, which has made the area more walkable, also has helped her business.
"It was a good move because I'm closer to the retail shops," says Frickey, whos started the business with her daughter Emily three years ago.
MODesTEA offers 80 blends of loose tea, with 10 earning the distinction of World Tea Champions.
"Some I blend myself, some I outsource," says Frickey, who has converted a number of coffee drinkers to tea. "We do all the packaging and labeling in-house. We cut out the middleman to keep prices low."
In addition to peddling teas, MODesTEA houses a gallery, which participates in the district's First Friday art walk.
Still, Frickey is concerned the Tennyson's rising popularity will push many artists out of the area.
"The rents are going up, which concerns me a little bit because we need to keep artists on the street," she says.
Contact Confluence Denver Development News Editor Margaret Jackson with tips and leads for future stories at margaret@confluence-denver.com.
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