The Georgia Virtue Business Spotlight Series features local businesses that function as the backbone of our communities. The latest spotlight is Sum’mo Tea & Things. The series is sponsored by Bulloch Solutions.
Alivia Lloyd and her husband, Jermaille, didn’t think their business would explode so quickly when they opened a small counter shop on South Main Street last November, but when customers funneled in at a rate they didn’t expect, the couple quickly found their own standalone storefront to meet their growing needs.
Alivia is a Bulloch County native and her husband once called Millen ‘home,’ but the two are Statesboro residents these days. Both spent years working elsewhere and in other industries, but decided last year to take a leap of faith and open their tea shop. “We just really felt like there was a need in our community right now and I wanted to give people another option.”
The name comes from the way Alivia’s grandmother referenced things during Alivia’s childhood: “Bring me sum’mo of that…Get sum’mo food.” Just good, old fashioned southern talk, she said, which suits the atmosphere of their brick and mortar location.
The spot on Savannah Avenue offers a cozy, calming ambiance for their holistic approach to tea, food, and gifts. Inside, customers will find a counter where the smiling staff will help with selections from the expansive menu. Also inside are a number of tables for enjoying teas and snacks, a locally-sourced shop, and a meditation room where Yoni & Lingam herbal steams take place. All of their teas are fair trade, organic…and delicious.
Alivia said while they see a fair share of college students in the shop, locals in walking distance, people who work in the surrounding area, and tea enthusiasts of all different backgrounds are helping their business thrive right now. Their customers get a two-for-one deal with the business that shares the building, too. Adjacent to the tea spot is The Herb Barr where people can shop for various herbs, speak with an herbalist, and grab medicinal teas and spices for home use or brewing over at Sum’mo. [follow The Herb Barr on Facebook]
Sum’mo Tea & Things is already famous for their Butter Pecan tea latte, but the menu offers a lengthy list of other tea lattes, herbal teas, and lemonades. On their menu, customers can choose from a variety of donut holes and a lunch menu that is 80% vegan. Patty melts, club sandwiches, wraps, and salads line the list of regular food options on the lunch menu and the pair hopes to soon unveil a brunch option for Sundays. Jermaille and Alivia work together to prepare everything themselves each day – her favorite part of the business. “We’re making a living together.”
On occasion, outdoor yoga sessions and group tea tastings take place at Sum’mo Tea & Things and they also offer a freestyle painting studio on Saturday evenings, by reservation only. People can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the location, paint with a small group of friends, and enjoy the teas at the same time.
In the local shop, which is stocked with the help of Alivia’s mother, carries soaps,candles, deodorants, and other small products. And, of course, their loose leaf tea is available for purchase. Plus, they’re always looking to add other local products from vendors in the area to their shop, so if you know someone…
Sum’mo Tea will soon be partnering with the Humane Society of Statesboro-Bulloch County for ‘Tea for Tails.’ Customers can adopt a dog or cat and purchase teas with a percentage going back to HSSBC. This coming weekend, on August 21, they’ll be hosting a Community Market Day on the front lawn – complete with outdoor yoga, an herb workshop, and tents with specials and giveaways – from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
In the meantime, you can order Sum’mo Tea online for pick-up and delivery (on DoorDash and UberEats, too!) or visit Sum’mo Tea & Things at 372 Savannah Avenue in Statesboro.
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Give them a call: 912.388.1511
Read other Business Spotlight articles on The Georgia Virtue.
