The storefront of Atelier So Lovely’s new atelier-boutique in Knowlton, where the Eastern Townships brand will offer organic teas, botanical products, and curated gift collections. Photo: Courtesy Stephanie Blunt Maheu

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A new tea and botanical boutique is set to open in Knowlton this spring, as Atelier So Lovely launches its first bricks-and-mortar location, bringing together organic teas, in-house design, and small-batch wellness products in a space conceived as both shop and creative studio.

The atelier-boutique marks a new chapter for the Eastern Townships-based brand, which has until now focused on online sales, wholesale distribution, and curated gift collections. Owner Stephanie Maheu said the new location will allow customers to experience the brand more fully while supporting continued growth through multiple sales channels.

“The shop is really a brand space,” Maheu said. “Everything you see is designed by us — all the art is original, all the packaging is done in house. It’s truly a brand store where people can discover what we do in a more tangible way.”

A creative studio as much as a shop

The Knowlton location has been designed as a hybrid space, combining retail with a working studio where blending, packaging, and design will take place. In addition to offering finished products, the atelier will serve as a base for developing new flavours, testing packaging concepts, and assembling gift collections.

“We have a workspace in the back where we’ll do our blending and packaging,” Maheu explained. “We’ll be working on mock-ups, trying different creative ideas, and putting together new products in a way that’s very hands-on.”

Unlike traditional tea shops that sell loose blends by weight, Atelier So Lovely focuses on curated, pre-packaged offerings. The boutique will carry approximately 20 to 30 specialty products, including loose-leaf teas, premium sachets, matcha, floral waters, and gift boxes.

“It’s not about having hundreds of options,” Maheu said. “It’s really about curated specialty teas — things that are carefully selected and beautifully presented.”

Sourcing, sustainability, and wellness

The brand works with suppliers around the world, sourcing ingredients such as matcha from Japan and botanical elements from regions including Bulgaria and Egypt. Teas are blended in-house, while other wellness products — including floral waters and facial toners — are also developed internally.

“We gather from different suppliers and then do our mixes,” Maheu said. “Some products are as-is, like matcha, but others are blended here for specific uses and benefits.”

Sustainability is a key focus of the operation. Maheu said all packaging is recyclable or compostable, and tea sachets are made from plant-based corn fibre designed to break down naturally.

“Our tea sachets are completely compostable,” she said. “You just place them in compost when you’re done. We’re working on projects that are very clean and sustainable.”

Most products are organic, and the company is currently in the process of obtaining official certification to meet the requirements of health food stores and professional distributors.

Choosing Knowlton

Maheu said opening the boutique in Knowlton was a natural decision, reflecting both personal ties and the character of the region.

“My mom lives in Knowlton, but more than that, it’s been our favourite place for a long time,” she said. “We love walking by the lake, swimming in the summer, and just driving slowly on the quiet roads around Brome Lake. It feels peaceful. We feel at home there.”

The press release echoes that sentiment, describing the Eastern Townships as a source of inspiration for both the blends and the artwork, with Knowlton’s artisan culture and tourism community providing an ideal setting for the brand’s first boutique.

Expanding beyond retail

In addition to the Knowlton storefront, Atelier So Lovely continues to expand through its online boutique, international marketplaces, and professional sales platforms. The company is developing hospitality and B2B programs aimed at hotels, cafés, spas, and corporate gifting, with inquiries already being accepted online.

“We’re working on amenities for hotels and restaurants,” Maheu said. “That’s a project launching in the spring or summer, and we’re already getting interest.”

The business remains family-run, with Maheu working alongside her mother and husband, and plans for other family members to become involved as the company grows.

“It’s a family-owned business,” she said. “Eventually, my sisters will be on board too.”

The Knowlton atelier-boutique is expected to open later this spring, offering residents and visitors a space to explore tea, design, and wellness — one carefully crafted cup at a time.

One of Atelier So Lovely’s tea products, featuring in-house artwork and recyclable packaging designed by the brand.

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