Not Jaded Boutique & Tea Room
2 West Main Street, Wentzville, MO 63385
636-751-0079
notjaded.com
After 14 years of working as a hairstylist, Tara Keune decided in 2017 to go in an alternate direction and foster her dream of continuing to serve others, but in a different fashion. Soon after that revelation, she came across a “For Lease” sign next door to the local general store and discovered that there was not a clothing boutique nearby. Tara immediately picked up the phone to call about the listing, and the rest is history.
“After seeing the building, I had enough courage to leave a full-time job and go out on a leap of faith,” Tara remarks. “My vision changed from what we originally started (a boutique that doubled as a venue for children’s tea parties) to what we are now because of feedback from customers.” The tea portion of Not Jaded began as a small component and grew to be a prominent part of the business. Growing up with parents who instilled in her a deep appreciation for tea—a father who was an avid tea drinker and a mother who lovingly prepared the beverage—it only seemed natural to nurture that love into an exciting venture that she could share with others. “My first real experience with tea was thanks to my parents, but one of my early experiences was visiting a farmers’ market 10 to 12 years ago,” Tara explains. “I met a local tea lady, and I purchased a bunch of her tea. I fell in love with it—Missouri Strawberry Splash, in particular.” Fast forward a few years, it was an incredibly simple decision for Tara when selecting which tea brands to feature in her tearoom. Her visit to the market undoubtedly became a pivotal moment in her tea journey, and she now offers her customers PersnickeTea, as well as teas from other purveyors and some of her own blends.
A step into Not Jaded feels like a much-needed breath of fresh air, where the finer things in life are celebrated but in an approachable manner that lacks intimidation. In the dictionary, the term jaded is defined as “tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm,” and it is evident that this tearoom-boutique hybrid is the antithesis of that. The intentionally laid-back atmosphere combined with the propensity for catering to people of all ages creates a welcome environment for children to frequent. A magical wardrobe of dress-up gowns is available for little ones to peruse to make their time extra special. “I believe that taking children to tea unites them with whomever they may be with,” Tara says. “It helps them with their confidence, too. If we are letting kids handle china, it suggests that they are important. Life often takes over, but we need special moments to bond and reflect.”
The marvelous offerings at Not Jaded beautifully complement the warm and friendly ambiance. Along with a tempting selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts available for a quick lunch, the tearoom offers two wonderful teatime opportunities. For those who make a reservation ahead of time and prefer a full afternoon-tea respite, the “High Noon Tea Package” is the perfect fit at $25 per person. A two-tiered stand will be presented to your table, boasting a first tier brimming with delectable savories (like smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, spinach turnovers, and cucumber bites), and a second tier laden with a delightful assortment of fruit-filled scones served with crème fraiche and jam, miniature cheesecakes, and decadent truffles. The “Sharing is Caring” package, typically the most well-liked option for walk-ins, costs $29.50 and is intended for two to three people to share. Featuring the customer’s choice of three full-size sandwiches, fresh fruit skewers, cheesecake bites, homemade scones, and chocolate chip cookies, this option affords the scrumptious fare that is synonymous with afternoon tea but with a portion size that is slightly less indulgent. Both menu items come with a pot of tea, of course, to quench your thirst. The tearoom’s best-selling blends range from Earl Grey Lavender and Peach Apricot to an intriguing and oh-so tasty Huckleberry Chai, a bold black tea with subtle fruity flavor.
Whether you have enjoyed the art of taking tea for decades, have never had the occasion to partake, or are introducing the cherished tradition to the next generation, Not Jaded is sure to fulfill your teatime desires. It might even ignite a spirit inside of you to live your life with more child-like wonder and less jadedness.
Not Jaded is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and afternoon tea, with the boutique open during the same times but until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
