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| - Yup, The Junction is gentrifying, although Starbucks and Subway notwithstanding most of the new businesses seem to be independently run and owned. Tea Blendz is the most recent arrival, a loose leaf tea store located on the south side of Dundas West just west of Keele. When I saw the sign first go up I had mixed feelings; on the one hand it would be great to not have to go down to Bloor West Village to get my tea, but on the other hand it's one of my major pet peeves when businesses intentionally misspell their names.
Refusing to let my pedantry get in the way for once, I visited shortly after it opened last weekend. I had some idea of what to expect based on their webpage but it seemed like there was a lot more variety in-store, with several rows of large tea tins behind the counter and what appeared to be small smelling samples accessible to the customer. There were also some shelves with accessories but I didn't look too closely at them; I assume it's the regular fare you'd expect at any tea shop.
If you're more interested in getting some tea to drink right then and there they've got some fancy machine that allows them to skip the steeping process so it's ready quite quickly. I believe they only serve eight or so varieties this way, unlike somewhere like David's Tea where you can order any type to go; the cost is $2.60 or $2.65, which I continue to think is too expensive. They also serve six or so varieties of tea lattes, including vanilla bean, caramel rooibos and chocolate raspberry, and which can be made with cow or soy milk.
The decor is not really to my taste but there are more places to sit than at some of the places on Bloor, and the owners are enthusiastic about their business and the neighbourhood. I will be back, and I hope it does well.
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