Business Of The Week: Treasures and Teas

Carla Gabbett and Phyllis Carlton have never doubted their decision.

The pair teamed up to open three years ago, and despite the rocky economy, say they did not consider closing up shop.

Carlton, a goldsmith and gemologist, spent the previous 14 years working at , just around the corner from Treasures and Teas location (102 5th Ave. S.).

Gabbett, originally from Sacramento, Calif., was working for the building's previous tenant, Abby's Lighthouse and Tea by the Sea. She met Carlton, a lifetime Snohomish County resident, through a mutual friend.

When Abby's owner Marcia Baldwin decided to quit the business, Gabbett and Carlton saw an opportunity. After deep prayer, they bought the tea inventory.

"It happened pretty darn quick," Gabbett said. "It fell into place so evidently that we couldn't not do it."

"It was very clear that this was meant to happen," said Carlton. ”The numbers would tell you, 'Oh my God, you're in trouble,' but I never felt that way. I just trusted the Lord."

The new owners kept Abby's green slat-board walls, but painted the upper sections bright yellow. "We wanted sunshine in here," Carlton said.

Jars of loose-leaf tea -- more than 200 varieties -- cover the south wall of the shop. There are selections from all over the world, including 21 types of green tea and 150 types of black and oolong. About a quarter of the teas are herbal.

One of the best-sellers is South African Roobois, which means "red bush" in the Afrikaans language. It contains 50 times more antioxidants than green tea and no caffeine.

Gabbett and Carlton are generous with samples, and offer an assortment of accessories such as cups and strainers.

Tea is packaged in 2-ounce minimum supplements for about $6. This is enough for 20 mugs, according to Carlton. Tea can be shipped anywhere in the country.

Tea sales account for almost half the shop's business, Gabbett said. The other half -- the "treasures" -- consist of jewelry, and a variety of nautical-themed gifts and trinkets.

Shirts and hoodies, made from 100 percent cotton and pigment dyed, feature a proprietary Edmonds logo. There are also Edmonds baseball caps, lots of pirate paraphernalia, floats, cards, gift books and a small selection of sweet treats such as scone mix and honey.

Each year Carlton and Gabbett travel together on a week-long "treasure hunt" in search of ideas to complement their inventory. Last year they flew to Florida. This year they plan to visit Utah's Bryce Canyon to see if they can find some gems for Carlton.

Though Carlton does not sell her own jewelry creations in the store, she maintains a workbench in a back niche, and still specializes in designing custom jewelry.

Treasures and Teas does minimal advertising, relying instead on word of mouth.

"This is a great idea," said Edmonds resident Adam Buchanan as he browsed the shop. "I often get stuck for ideas for Valentine's Day gifts. My wife's a tea junkie. Now we've got these amazing teas."

Business is improving steadily, Carlton said. But even if it wasn't, there would be no cause for alarm.

"It's so wonderful that you can come somewhere, do something and not have someone hand you a pink slip," said Gabbett, who also worked in a bookshop and at Gai's Bakery. "There's something like an anchor in that."